New Tires Lose Pressure at Speeds Greater than 60 mph

[JumpX]

So I got new tires (Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus3). Everything seemed alright until I got on the highway and accelerated to 60+ mph. There was a very slight vibration, but not so severe that I was worried until the tire pressure warning went off.

I was able to slow down and got off at the next exit without going flat. When I checked the pressure both rear tires lost more than 5lbs, with the drivers side losing 8lbs—But they were not deflating any further. I could get to the dealer driving locally who did the install without losing any more air.

They refilled the tires and checked everything—No problems with the valve stems or any leaks that they could see. I got back on the highway and was monitoring closely and as I reached 60+ mph I could see the rear tires start to lose a few pounds. I slowed down and it stopped.

Again, there was the slight vibration at higher speeds, which I at first thought might be related to the CV axle as I have just passed 30k mileage. However, I am wondering if the balance on the rear tires is off by a very tiny amount.

Has anyone else experienced tire pressure loss at only higher speeds? Is this a defect with the tires or is it simply a balancing problem with the install?

Sponsored

 

[ArizonaBillLariat2025]

Would a manager at the tire store ride with you to see this occuring? I would think they would be worried about liability at this point and ask you not to leave until they figured this out. Maybe even involve the tire manufacturer. I suspect it is a size issue with the rim. But the tire store surly double checked all this. Get them to install a different set of tires (totally different brand)to see if this happens.

 

[olderthanyourdirt]

Sounds like the tires are "growing" at higher speed. that is why smaller trailer tires have "not to exceed 55MPH" on them. The bead starts to leak air. Agree with Arizona Bill.

 

[JumpX]

UPDATE:
Went back to the service center and they checked everything and said it was good. Got back on the highway and now it starts to lose pressure at 70+ mph.

I filled the tires and did it twice more losing air on only the rear tires both times. Back at the service center (Saturday the 6th Dec) this morning. Told them I think there is a defect and want different brand tires.

They are checking things and will let me know shortly.

 

[SafetyGuy]

UPDATE:
Went back to the service center and they checked everything and said it was good. Got back on the highway and now it starts to lose pressure at 70+ mph.

I filled the tires and did it twice more losing air on only the rear tires both times. Back at the service center (Saturday the 6th Dec) this morning. Told them I think there is a defect and want different brand tires.

They are checking things and will let me know shortly.

Good move, I am curious as to the cause of this pressure loss issue!

I would imagine that a new set of tires could change things as there are only 2 major bits...tire and rim...if it doesn't fix it, could be rims...? So unusual, either bad tires or bad rims. They said the valves were good...they would be the simpler cause for air leakage.

Watching and waiting for your update while hoping this tire change sorts the problem out!

Andy

 

[skinnyboy]

Weird situation. I've been using the same tires on the same rims as yours for about 30k km's and had no issues. They work really well, but get some others if they can't identify the cause.

Cheers.

 

[MaverickDragon]

Has anyone else experienced tire pressure loss at only higher speeds? Is this a defect with the tires or is it simply a balancing problem with the install?

Not only have I never had this happen, I've never even heard of something similar before.
I've had tires that needed rebalancing, but that never caused an air loss.

It will be interesting to hear what they come back with, but it sounds more like an episode of the Twilight Zone than a new tire purchase.

 

[JumpX]

Final Update:

The service guys finally took it out and test drove it on the highway. I was sitting in the waiting area and my FordPass app pings that the tires just went low

They finally agree there is a defect and replaced the two tires under warranty. They were all saying as well how they’ve never seen something like this before.

Thanks all—It’s been an adventure.

 

[SafetyGuy]

Final Update:

The service guys finally took it out and test drove it on the highway. I was sitting in the waiting area and my FordPass app pings that the tires just went low

They finally agree there is a defect and replaced the two tires under warranty. They were all saying as well how they’ve never seen something like this before.

Thanks all—It’s been an adventure.

Thanks for the final update.

It goes to show, you never know when something you have never seen happen...happen.

Have a good one,

Andy

 

[HeyBales]

Are our TPMS sensors hanging on the valve stem?

I could see a brace block behind it specific to the rim it's sitting in - so it doesn't pull stem as speed / force on it goes up.

 

[Escapologist]

Yes, they seem to be just push in ones.

I was wondering about possible lack of valve caps, sometimes the wheel can have enough airflow on top edge that valve without cap gets blown on like a pan flute and pressure variation can let it bleed.

 

[JumpX]

New tires, new valve stems, new caps. Although one cap was a weird size, just a bit larger than the others. The other 3 tires all had same tire caps, and one of those was losing air as well.

I did not look at the whole valve stems closely, so there may be something there on the two tires losing air.

 

[Cherokee]

This reinforces me to continue buying my Tires at my Ford dealer and let them install them.
Besides they’re prices are the lowest within 65 miles of me.

 

[Escapologist]

Our local Ford dealers don't seem to want any tire business, they claim to price match, but they are also twice the price of the expensive tire places, and add a ton of conditions so I doubt anybody is getting out of there with tires at any kind of a deal. Other brand dealerships seem to be goodish, but often don't have tires that are not common to their makes and models.

 

[jonshep]

I have not had the speed pressure loss problem, but I got the low tire warning today mainly on the rear tires. It has been way colder the last couple of days. I brought them all up to 35 psi when I got home. I was running between 75 and 80, like I always do on the turnpike. I will keep an eye on pressure for the next few days.

Sponsored