Some car maintenance questions for a new driver
Discussion
Hi All,
I'm a new member here and new car owner/driver. I hope this is the right place to ask this.
1) When I fill up on tire pressure, I need to provide a firm grip on the nozzle against the valve stem, obviously to ensure that air does not leak and gets to the tire. However, when I remove the nozzle, it requires a bit of force and jerking. Should this be the case? I obviously don't want to break the valve stem. And when the nozzle is removed, there is a gush of air, presumably from the nozzle and not tire.
2) I've noticed in some cases when my hand is not on the steering wheel, it would turn on its own a small amount. Is this normal? My understanding is that this can be due to tram lining, the crowning of the road, even a small amount of tire pressure difference, etc.
3) During driving, is it normal to see tire pressure drop by 1psi but then generally increase as tires get warm?
I'm a new member here and new car owner/driver. I hope this is the right place to ask this.
1) When I fill up on tire pressure, I need to provide a firm grip on the nozzle against the valve stem, obviously to ensure that air does not leak and gets to the tire. However, when I remove the nozzle, it requires a bit of force and jerking. Should this be the case? I obviously don't want to break the valve stem. And when the nozzle is removed, there is a gush of air, presumably from the nozzle and not tire.
2) I've noticed in some cases when my hand is not on the steering wheel, it would turn on its own a small amount. Is this normal? My understanding is that this can be due to tram lining, the crowning of the road, even a small amount of tire pressure difference, etc.
3) During driving, is it normal to see tire pressure drop by 1psi but then generally increase as tires get warm?
1) if air continues to escape after filling then you need a new valve stem but if its just for a second when you remove the tyre inflator its normal for this to happen.
2) If its turning quite strongly you could have an alignment issue, but if its just following the road, camber etc then its fine. Do not drive with your hands off the wheel though! you should be able to drive in a straight line with minimal input.
3) Yes perfectly normal to see the pressure raise when the tyres are warm.
2) If its turning quite strongly you could have an alignment issue, but if its just following the road, camber etc then its fine. Do not drive with your hands off the wheel though! you should be able to drive in a straight line with minimal input.
3) Yes perfectly normal to see the pressure raise when the tyres are warm.
NicheMonkey said:
1) if air continues to escape after filling then you need a new valve stem but if its just for a second when you remove the tyre inflator its normal for this to happen.
2) If its turning quite strongly you could have an alignment issue, but if its just following the road, camber etc then its fine. Do not drive with your hands off the wheel though! you should be able to drive in a straight line with minimal input.
3) Yes perfectly normal to see the pressure raise when the tyres are warm.
1) Yeah it is just for a second, and I guess as the desired pressure registers on the car, that all is good.2) If its turning quite strongly you could have an alignment issue, but if its just following the road, camber etc then its fine. Do not drive with your hands off the wheel though! you should be able to drive in a straight line with minimal input.
3) Yes perfectly normal to see the pressure raise when the tyres are warm.
2) It's a very slight turn, but being a new driver, can be nerve wracking. Having done some research, is this not tram lining? This is just on slow, quiet roads, just to assess the car's mechnical state, but for the most part, it drives straight. Is alignment not the car drifting to one side and not the wheel actually turning?
3) Pressure increase when tires are warm is normal, but is it normal to see the odd fluctuation e.g. may go down by 1psi while driving, but on the whole, increasing?
The car will follow camber and imperfections in the road slightly, but also, as the suspension moves, the steering will move slightly, it's pretty normal.
As long as it isn't trying to dart off in one direction, and isn't especially noticeable when driving normally, it's not something to worry about.
A severe pull to one side can indicate a problem such as poor suspension alignment, very low tyre pressure, or a sticking brake.
As long as it isn't trying to dart off in one direction, and isn't especially noticeable when driving normally, it's not something to worry about.
A severe pull to one side can indicate a problem such as poor suspension alignment, very low tyre pressure, or a sticking brake.
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