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Wheels and Tires:
Valves
Internal air pressure keeps the lip of the tire (bead) pressed firmly against the inside edge of the wheel ( wheel flanges). The role of the valve is to provide a means to regulate tire pressure. The valve is inserted through a small hole located near the outer edge of the wheel.  The tapered design insures that the top 2/3 of the valve easily slips through the hole. Near the bottom of the valve, the rubber stem flares and keeps the stem from popping through the hole. When the tire is inflated, internal tire pressure presses against the thick rear portion of the stem pressing it firmly against the wheel, keeping it in place and forming an airtight seal. .
Running through the center of the valve stem is a long shaft that allows air to enter or leave the tire. The valve core is a two-way spring-loaded valve that is seated in the stem.  In the center of the stem core, a pin-like extension acts like a gatekeeper.
When the center is pushed in, a coil spring is depressed and air is able to escape. When the center is released, the spring pushes up on the valve and shuts off the flow of air. When air is added, the valve is again depressed but higher pressurized air is forced into the tire. The valve core is protected from dirt and moisture with a screw on valve cap.
You might be wondering if you could pump up your car tire with a bicycle pump. And the answer is, sure. Besides having the proper pump fitting, the only other thing is you need to be able to generate more pressure than the tire's internal pressure, otherwise your tire will deflate until you reach a point at which you're able to added air. We don't recommend trying this at home. Spend the quarter and save yourself the hassle. |
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 Articles
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Glossary
Article Pages
1. An Introduction to Wheels and Tires
2. Tires
3. Learning To Read Your Tires
4. Manipulating The System
6. Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS)
7. Tire Inspection
8. Tire Wear Guide
9. Tire Rotation
10. Wheel Assembly
11. Wheel And Rim Construction
Hot Topics
-> 4 Things You Can Start Doing Today To Extend The Life Of Your Tires
-> New Tires Guide
-> Tire Safety Tips
-> What Does It Mean When My Wheels Are Imbalanced?
-> Wheel Balancing
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