I have the Night trim package which was offered on 2017 Tuscons. It comes with "after market" wheels/rims. The wheels/rims also come with metal valve stem caps.
Last week the car alerted me that my tire pressure was low on the front driver side. I went to the gas station to fill the tire with air but was not able to get the valve stem cap off. I left the gas station thinking I just need a wrench to get them off. I get home, grab a wrench and the cap still is not coming off. I check the other 3 wheels and they all have the same issue. After some web searching, metal valve stem caps are not a good idea when the valve stems are also made of metal. Over time they can rust and seize (basically weld to each other) and they will never come off. Forums I read say you can try penetrating oil to see if it will loosen it up. If that does not work, get a Dremel tool and cut the caps off. Just be careful not to damage the valve stem.
I decided to bring the car to the dealer instead of trying the Dremel method. I then get told that since the wheels are part of an "after market package" there is a 1 year warranty on them. This issue is not covered by Hyundai. Now they are telling me I need to pay for 4 new valve stems ($80 each) and then the labor. As far as I am concerned I did nothing faulty to void a warranty. Hyundai should pay for this to get fixed given they decided to offer this package and did not consider this issue.
Update from Oct 22, 2018: I know have 2 tires reporting low pressure and I can't do anything about it. As a result I have to drive my car with under filled tires which can wear the tires quicker and effect my gas mileage and other steering components.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I have the Night trim package which was offered on 2017 Tuscons. It comes with "after market" wheels/rims. The wheels/rims also come with metal valve stem caps.
Last week the car alerted me that my tire pressure was low on the front driver side. I went to the gas station to fill the tire with air but was not able to get the valve stem cap off. I left the gas station thinking I just need a wrench to get them off. I get home, grab a wrench and the cap still is not coming off. I check the other 3 wheels and they all have the same issue. After some web searching, metal valve stem caps are not a good idea when the valve stems are also made of metal. Over time they can rust and seize (basically weld to each other) and they will never come off. Forums I read say you can try penetrating oil to see if it will loosen it up. If that does not work, get a Dremel tool and cut the caps off. Just be careful not to damage the valve stem.
I decided to bring the car to the dealer instead of trying the Dremel method. I then get told that since the wheels are part of an "after market package" there is a 1 year warranty on them. This issue is not covered by Hyundai. Now they are telling me I need to pay for 4 new valve stems ($80 each) and then the labor. As far as I am concerned I did nothing faulty to void a warranty. Hyundai should pay for this to get fixed given they decided to offer this package and did not consider this issue.
Update from Oct 22, 2018: I know have 2 tires reporting low pressure and I can't do anything about it. As a result I have to drive my car with under filled tires which can wear the tires quicker and effect my gas mileage and other steering components.
- Anthony C., Stoughton, US