What does 'American valve' mean in tires?
2 Answers
New-style valves generally refer to American valves, which have a thicker valve head. Below is a relevant introduction about car tire valves: 1. French valve: Manually locks the valve, withstands high pressure, has a smoother air leakage curve, features a thinner valve base, is lightweight, has a small valve diameter, minimally affects rim strength, can be used with 19C-sized inner tubes or narrow rims, and is more expensive. 2. American valve: Primarily relies on internal pressure to lock, withstands high pressure, has a steeper air leakage curve (meaning it leaks faster when pressure is insufficient), features a larger valve base and diameter, but offers high inflation flow, making it widely used in inner tubes with larger air volumes, thus making inflation very convenient. 3. English valve (Chinese-style valve): Uses a rubber sleeve for leak prevention, with leak-proof performance mainly dependent on the quality of the rubber sleeve, offering excellent airtightness (some riders might think English valves leak quickly, but if the rubber tube isn't damaged, it's not the valve's fault—it's usually because English valve inner tubes use regular rubber instead of butyl material). However, it has low pressure resistance, a large valve base, is heavy, has low inflation flow, poor durability of the rubber sleeve, but is easy to repair, doesn't render the inner tube unusable due to valve issues, and is inexpensive.
The tire valve, commonly referred to as the inflation valve or simply the air valve, is that small port on the tire specifically designed for inflating and deflating. From my experience in car repairs, it's a crucial component. There are common types like the American-style valve, such as the Schrader valve, which features a spring-loaded pin, and the European-style Presta valve, more frequently seen on bicycles. If it malfunctions—say, due to pin wear or seal aging—the tire may slowly leak, compromising driving stability. I recommend that car owners routinely check the valve when inspecting tire pressure weekly, looking for cracks or looseness. Always keep the small cap on to prevent dust ingress and internal corrosion. Neglecting it long-term could mean shelling out a few dozen bucks at a repair shop for a replacement. Simple maintenance can prevent major issues.
