I picked up my Clubman last Monday. I noticed today that one of the valve stem 'caps' had fallen off. I walked around the car and examined the remaining 3 and I cannot tell if these are the final valve caps that should be installed for a delivered car or if someone dropped the ball at the VDC or the dealership. The remaining three caps were extremely loose and not that attractive. I am attaching a photo below of the caps that were on my car. On the top of the cap reads "TPM INSIDE! RESET TPM!"

BTW, I have the factory 15-inch wheels with the performance tires and I am in the USA.

Thanks,
Paul

 

Nope, those are the valve stem caps that come standard on all the MINIs I've seen. I think it's essentially to remind you (or whoever fills up your tires) to reset the tire pressure monitoring system when your tires are filled to the desired pressure.

I agree though, they are ugly. I will be replacing them when I get my new wheels.

 

Careful as you replace the missing one - there have been reports of dissimilar metal corrosion.

 

I'm happy when I have FOUR valve caps.
They tend to disappear in the middle of the night.
When you wash your baby, make sure they're tight.

 

Yep, those are the same ugly ones I have on my 16" wheels with performance tires. I've been tempted to replace them but I'm concerned about the corrosion issue documented in the above referenced thread, not to mention the theft temptation as mentioned by Dragon Wagon!

 

If you do a search on this forum you'll find references to metal-to-metal corrosion, as the valve stems are aluminum. Do not use any type of metal cap. MINI now makes plastic OEM caps with the same designs as their metal caps, if you want to get rid of those ugly silver mushroom things with writing all over them.

 

One of mine fell off at the dealer as well. They were also all loose. Got the other one back. It says "TPM" on it, which is short for Tire Pressure Monitor. He said you have to use them to make the TPM work? Not so sure I believe that though.

 

ART ED, I too replaced my standard black caps with Union Jack ones purchased from the dealer and have not had any trouble with the TPM system. They are nice looking but I do worry about theft, I now am obsessed about looking to see if they are still there....I guess if they get taken then that dirtbag needed them worse than I did.

 

I can assure you the valve stem caps have nothing to do with the function of TPMS. They are simply there to remind the user to reset TPMS after filling the tires to the proper pressure.

It is true that metal caps could possibly corrode to the valve stems, and there is plenty of documentation all over this site of that happening. Might as well play it safe and get some good looking plastic ones. As mentioned, MINI is now selling plastic caps with the same designs to prevent corrosion.

Theft always concerned me too, but if you get caps that are uniquely MINI, such as ones that say "MINI" or have union jacks on them, hopefully another MINI owner wouldn't stoop low enough to steal someone's caps. That said, humanity continues to surprise me with how low people will go.

Luckily they aren't very expensive!

 

The other thread mentions reports of just two covers disappearing at a time. A popular theory is that it's primarily kids looking for cool valve stem covers for their bikes...

 

i just bought cue ball design valve caps from a autoshop and the threading inside are made of steel... can i use it?

 

You could, but I wouldn't if I were you. It's just not worth the risk of having to have your valve stems cut off and replaced. Just not worth it.

 

ng, take em back.
Steel is bad news on aluminum.

 

Seriously?? UGH!

 

I've had metal caps on several vehicles for years with no problems. If you are concerned about them but want to run metal anyway just put a dab of anti-sieze compound on them. NOT a major issue.

 

yikes.. i am taking thme back tomoorw...

 

I would strongly disagree. Use only a non-metallic cap on any aluminum TPMS valve. There have been recalls of aluminum caps on aluminum valves because the caps / valves have seized (Acura), and incidents reported on other threads on this site of caps frozen to the valve, with the result that the valve had to be cut off and replaced. I don't think it's worth the risk, especially for a decorative item like a valve cap.

 

I don't think the issue of the steel cap seizing on the aluminum valve stem is as important as the steel cap interfering with the signal from the sensor in the wheel to the module in the car. They are plastic for a reason.

 

Unless I'm mistaken, I believe that the TPMS sensor and transmitter are inside the wheel. Does the valve stem act as an antenna?

 

Not a big deal. put a drop of anti sieze on the cap & use whatever you want.

 

I guess we're just going to have to disagree on this one. I think it's very bad advice considering the strong evidence of serious issues with metal caps on aluminum valve stems. I would certainly not recommend it, with or without anti-sieze.

 

There is a receiver at each corner of the vehicle for the TPMS sensor as well as a central antenna.
The metal caps do interfere with the signal on some MINIs, but because the frequencies are all different, it may not be an issue on other ones.
Seeing as MINI offers the logo caps in plastic, there's really no reason not to use them instead of the metal ones.

 

i went to AUTOZONE and got 4 chrome valve stem with rubber threading for ONLY $2.99

 

Standard VSC's are kind of ratty looking and they are no good once you get salt on them. In fact, my spare on my MC once got stuck to the filer on the bottom of the car and the spare could not be used because of the stupid caps. buy new chrome ones for $16.00 and call it a day!

 

Can someone post a link to where you can buy the mini caps made of plastic on line? My dealer only has the metal ones.