If you have cheap, aftermarket wheel-trims in the style shown below, get rid of them a.s.a.p. I have had two flat tyres in the last two weeks and in both cases the valve stems were cut at the base.

At first I suspected vandalism and was about to confront my neighbours over it. I asked the supervisor of the tyre shop whether he thought the stems had been deliberately cut. His answer was "No."

I already had suspicions about the wheel trims because the valve stem hole in this style of trim is quite small and has very sharp edges. The tyre shop guy was already aware of the issue. He says the trims move as the wheels flex and cut through the valve stems.

In my case, the tyres just went flat overnight but it could just as easily happen suddenly like a blow-out.

The problem is not necessarily limited to this particular style of trim although I have had no trouble with other styles. The tyre guy didn't single out any particular type. He just recommended ditching any after-market trims and fitting the factory hub-caps. Of course, mag. wheels would also solve the problem.

to be honest ive sold that many sets of wheelcaps its bordering on insane ive never ever come across this issue before, if anything exchanging or replacing them with a different type. Btw i saw a set of wheel covers cable tied onto an old mazda 323 today was quite a good laugh.

never heard of this issue before ever sure there isnt someone who has a grudge against you and screwed with your tires


seen it before someone didn't like my parents car so put nails in the tires

The evidence is fairly clear. As the tyre guy said, a vandal couldn't get a knife down into there without taking the trims off first.

Take a look at this particular trim style next time you see one. The hole that the valve stem fits through is not only small but also tapered, so it tends to grip the valve stem in a wedge. The edges are so sharp that you have to be careful not to cut your fingers. It would be hard to design a better cutter if you tried. It is like a potato peeler.

I spent some time this evening enlarging the holes and trying to smooth the edges with a half-round file and emery paper. It made a slight improvement but the plastic is too thin to get a smooth, rounded edge. I decided they are still too risky.

I had no trouble with a different design of the same brand but the problem started within two weeks of fitting the ones above.

never heard of this issue before ever sure there isnt someone who has a grudge against you and screwed with your tires
Yes there is, which is why I was ready to take them apart. Just as well I didn't, because I'm now sure it wasn't sabotage. I will follow this up with the tyre place and possibly report the problem to consumer affairs.

I will follow this up with the tyre place and possibly report the problem to consumer affairs.

Is Consumer Affairs really worth the effort for a set of hubcaps? Why not just buy a new set of hubcaps instead that have a bigger hole for the air nozzle?

they sure arent pretty dunn why you picked them anyway

Is Consumer Affairs really worth the effort for a set of hubcaps? Why not just buy a new set of hubcaps instead that have a bigger hole for the air nozzle?

This is not about getting a refund. It is about having them withdrawn from sale because of the risk of injury or death. e.g. cornering at high speed and suddenly having an outside wheel deflate. I just did some research and found the following:


Decorative Wheel Trims - TIC Issues Safety Warning - Industry call for standard to prevent tyre blow-outs.

Decorative wheel trims fitted to the wheels of many cars and vans in the UK, may cause sidewall and valve assembly damage leading to possible tyre blow-outs, according to the Tyre Industry Council.

These trims, which are usually made of plastic, are often fitted slightly oversize. In some circumstances, they can chaff against the lower sidewall of the tyre and valve assembly when the tyre is deflected under load, ultimately cutting into the tyre sidewall causing air loss and sometimes blow-outs says TIC.

The Tyre Industry Council is calling for a standard which requires that the wheel trim diameter does not exceed the diameter of the wheel rim flange, thereby alleviating the potential problem.

The TIC has raised the concern after reports of an increasing number of cases where tyres are being damaged by this type of wheel trim. No particular car or trim has been singled our by the Council, but it is urging all motorists to check tyre sidewalls for chaffing damage or cuts.

With mine, it is not the tyre sidewall but the valve assembly.

Thanx for the heads up, we have aftermarket covers in my wifes car, which mostly takes our baby girl places.

If you have cheap, aftermarket wheel-trims in the style shown below, get rid of them a.s.a.p. I have had two flat tyres in the last two weeks and in both cases the valve stems were cut at the base.


This is the price you pay for not paying the price. It has probably cost you more in replacing the stems than it would have buying genuine caps in the first place! Oh the irony...

This is the price you pay for not paying the price. It has probably cost you more in replacing the stems than it would have buying genuine caps in the first place! Oh the irony...
Yeh i'm the biggest culprit of this, money i've spent on my car i could have just bought a real ralliart :P.
Never heard of this issue, though if i saw my hubcaps sitting right next to the tyre i wouldn't be using them.

This is not about getting a refund. It is about having them withdrawn from sale because of the risk of injury or death. e.g. cornering at high speed and suddenly having an outside wheel deflate. I just did some research and found the following:



With mine, it is not the tyre sidewall but the valve assembly.

i highly doubt we will take them off show because of 1 incident, as i said before in 2 1/2 years working for supercheap never ever heard of this happening, if your worried about it take it back to where you got them from have a chat to the manager and get them to follow it up with our head office.

This is the price you pay for not paying the price. It has probably cost you more in replacing the stems than it would have buying genuine caps in the first place! Oh the irony...

That's true but originals weren't an option. The local Mitsubishi distributor says they no longer stock anything for 1st Gens or 2nd Gens because they are no longer supported. (>10 yrs old) So 2nd hand ones from wreckers were the only possibility.

I'm considering mags but the nicest original mags for 1st Gens are 15" (GT, Elante and Elite). My wheels are 14" and I've just put a full set of new Michelins on the sedan. The wagon also has 14" Michelins all round (to keep them all interchangeable), so it would be expensive and wasteful to swap to 15". I'm currently looking at the early Elite and SE mags as those were 14".

why dont you run the tyres down on the 14's then get the 15's with tyres...

You will notice the difference just goin up 1', less side wall flex... mush more enjoyable ride.

You wont have to send the car a postcard to turn anymore.... HAHA

The price doesn't make any difference if an item is not fit for the purpose for which it was sold.;)

Instead of filing it, how about applying heat to melt that area? Don't hold it over a naked flame or anything, just heat up something metal and hold it against it. Just a thought.

The price doesn't make any difference if an item is not fit for the purpose for which it was sold.;)

Generally, the more you spend the better the quality. Example, Holden Barina vs Volkswagen Polo, Bose vs Voxson, etc... It reminds me of the cheap aftermarket grilles that were available for VC Commodores where the quality was that bad that you had to punch the square holes yourself. lol

This sounds like the hole for the valve stem may not have been formed correctly and instead of rectifying it they sent it out. Fixing it would have eaten into their profit margin!

Coldamus. I think you have a valid point going to consumer affairs. If not to get your problem solved it may get them withdrawn from sale and save a life. A sudden deflation isnt a pleasant experience.

Thanks for the suggestions. The heat idea is worth a try.

Reporting my incident alone to Consumer Affairs probably won't have any effect but if other people have the same problem and report it too, eventually the problem will be recognised and fixed. Judging by comments from my tyre supplier (Torco tyres) and the statement from the Tyre Industry Council in the UK, other people must be having similar incidents. If nobody says anything, we will all think we are having isolated incidents.

I should point out that I'm not singling out any particular supplier, which is why I didn't mention them. By coincidence, I have the same style on both my cars. However the tyre guy raised the matter without even seeing my car or wheeltrims. I just took in the bare wheel. His comments were in relation to aftermarket wheeltrims generally.

heh... those $20/set cheapo hubcaps - they ever stay ON long enough to cause danger?


even original hubcaps can chafe the valvestems enough to wear thru

but its commonsense really... if ever somebody else has touched my hubcaps,
i check them afterwards to make sure the valve is centred in their holes

but its commonsense really... if ever somebody else has touched my hubcaps,
i check them afterwards to make sure the valve is centred in their holes


not hubcaps. wheel covers/trims. hubcaps cover the hub, where the hub bearigs and grease goes. :D

A sudden deflation isnt a pleasant experience.

Nor a cheap one.

Cost me over $2000 when a tire burst partway round a roundabout and i slapped a guard rail.

heh... those $20/set cheapo hubcaps - they ever stay ON long enough to cause danger?


even original hubcaps can chafe the valvestems enough to wear thru

but its commonsense really... if ever somebody else has touched my hubcaps,
i check them afterwards to make sure the valve is centred in their holes

I've seen it on OEM wheel trims too, especially if a few of the retaining clips are broken or missing (depends on the design).

Some valve stems have the brass insert, which the valve cap threads onto and the valve fits inside, extend far enough down into the valve stem so that even if the wheel trim cuts the rubber, it won't fail. (Leak maybe).

i had those hubcaps on for 18 months on my car, and no problem aside from one miraculously falling off while driving one day.
Sounds like you got unlucky mate.