Fitment Guide
Valve Stem Finder
The wrong valve stem leaks, pulls through or blows out. Three readings pick the right one: the hole in the rim, the tire's max pressure and how thick the rim is at the hole. Answer them below, or step through how to check each one.
Find Your Stem
Pick your answers and the best fit updates as you go.
Rim hole size
Most car, trailer and mower wheels are .453 in. Step 2 shows how to check.
Max cold pressure on the tire
Molded on the sidewall, next to the max load.
Rim thickness at the hole
Measure right at the valve hole with a caliper.
TPMS sensor in the wheel?
Most cars and light trucks from the 2008 model year on have one.
Best Fit
TR413 Rubber Snap-In
The everyday snap-in for car, trailer and mower wheels with a .453 in. hole. Rated to 65 PSI on rims up to .156 in. thick at the hole.
Also fits:TR600HP high pressureTR416 metal clamp-in
Pressure ratings come from our listings. Between two answers? Pick the stronger stem.
Step Through It
Here's how to check each reading on a real trailer wheel, mounted with the ST215/65R17 Load Range C tire from our Tire Size Decoder.
Step 1 of 6TPMS Check
Valve hole, cut away
Step 1 of 6
Check for a TPMS Sensor
Most cars and light trucks from the 2008 model year on have a tire pressure sensor inside each wheel. On many, the valve stem is part of the sensor.
Compare the two
How to Check
- Look at the dash. A tire pressure warning light, a tire outline with an exclamation point, means the vehicle has sensors.
- Look at the valve. A metal stem held by a nut at its base is often a TPMS valve.
- Some TPMS valves are rubber and look just like a standard snap-in, so check before you cut one out.
- Trailer, mower and most equipment wheels don't have sensors. If the wheel has one, skip to the TPMS parts below.
Why It Matters
Swapping a TPMS valve for a plain stem takes the sensor out of the wheel, and the warning light stays on.
Get It Right: On a sensor wheel, replace the grommet, nut, valve core and cap every time the tire comes off. Shop TPMS parts.
Step 2 of 6
Measure the Rim Hole
Valve holes come in two sizes. Most car, trailer and small tire wheels use a .453 in. hole. Larger truck wheels and some others use a .625 in. hole.
How to Measure
- With the old stem out, measure straight across the valve hole with a caliper.
- .453 in. is about 11.5 mm, just under 1/2 in. .625 in. is 5/8 in., about 15.9 mm.
- No caliper? Try the shank of a 1/2 in. drill bit. If it won't go through, it's a .453 hole. If it slips through with room to spare, it's .625.
- Stems are made for one hole size. A .453 stem in a .625 hole can pull right through.
Why It Matters
A snap-in stem seals by squeezing into the hole. If the hole's too small it won't seat, and if it's too big it can blow out under pressure.
Get It Right: Some clamp-in stems, like our TR416, fit both .453 and .625 holes.
Step 3 of 6
Check the Tire Pressure
Find the max cold pressure on the tire's sidewall. Rubber snap-ins are rated for less pressure than high pressure or metal stems.
How to Check
- Read the max pressure on the sidewall. It's on the max load line, like MAX LOAD 1874 LBS AT 50 PSI COLD.
- Up to 65 PSI: a standard rubber snap-in like the TR413 handles it.
- 66 to 80 PSI: step up to a TR600HP high pressure snap-in.
- Over 80 PSI: use a metal clamp-in, rated to 200 PSI.
Max pressure by stem
Why It Matters
Load range D and E trailer tires run 65 to 80 PSI, right at or past what a standard rubber stem is built for.
Get It Right: Go by the tire's max pressure, not what you usually run. The stem has to handle the most the tire can take.
Step 4 of 6
Measure the Rim Thickness
Snap-in stems only seal on rims up to a set thickness at the valve hole. Measure right at the hole, not anywhere else on the wheel.
How to Measure
- Close a caliper on the rim at the edge of the valve hole.
- Up to .156 in.: a standard rubber snap-in seats right.
- .157 to .205 in.: use a TR600HP high pressure snap-in.
- Over .205 in.: use a metal clamp-in stem.
Why It Matters
On a rim that's too thick, a snap-in can't seat all the way. It may hold air at first, then work loose or pop out.
Get It Right: Use a caliper, not a tape. .156 in. is 5/32 in. and .205 in. is just over 13/64 in., too close to judge by eye.
Step 5 of 6
Choose Snap-In or Clamp-In
Your three readings decide the style. A snap-in pulls into the hole and seals by squeezing it. A clamp-in bolts through it with a grommet and a nut.
Compare the two
How It Goes In
- A rubber body with a groove that locks onto the rim.
- It's pulled through from inside the wheel with a valve puller tool and a little tire lube.
- Replace it every time you replace the tire.
- A metal stem with a rubber grommet inside the rim and a washer and nut outside.
- Rated to 200 PSI, and it fits rims too thick for a snap-in.
- Tighten the nut to the torque on the package. Too tight crushes the grommet.
Why It Matters
Snap-ins are quick and cheap for most car and trailer wheels. Clamp-ins take higher pressure, thicker rims and the knocks stems take on off road and work equipment.
Get It Right: Put a new grommet and nut on a clamp-in whenever the tire comes off. An old, hard grommet can leak.
Step 6 of 6
Pick the Length
Pick the shortest stem you can still reach with an air chuck. A long stem flexes more and is easier to knock.
How to Pick It
- Length is measured from the rim's outside face to the end of the stem.
- 1-1/4 in. fits most car, trailer and mower wheels.
- Go longer, like a 2 in. stem, for deep wheels or to reach past a wheel cover.
- Use extensions only when you have to, and only plastic ones on high pressure snap-ins.
Why It Matters
Every extra inch is more leverage on the seal when the stem gets bumped or spun at speed.
Get It Right: Metal extensions belong on metal clamp-in stems only. On a rubber stem their weight can crack it at speed.
All 6 Steps Done
Your Stem in One Line
Put the readings together and the right stem is easy to spot. Here's how the example wheel works out.
TR413 Rubber Snap-In, 1-1/4 in.
.453 in. hole, 65 PSI max, rims up to .156 in. at the hole
- TPMS Sensor
- None, trailer wheel
- Rim Hole
- .453 in.
- Max Pressure
- 50 PSI
- Rim Thickness
- .125 in.
- Style
- Rubber snap-in
- Length
- 1-1/4 in.
Pressure from the Kenda Loadstar ST215/65R17 Load Range C on our listing. The rim thickness is an example. Your numbers may differ.
Valve Stem Types
Three Kinds of Stems
Every stem we carry falls into one of these. Match the type first, then the hole size and length.
Up to 65 PSI
Rubber Snap-In
The everyday stem for cars, trailers and mowers. TR413 for .453 in. holes, TR425 for .625 in. holes.
Shop TR413Up to 80 PSI
High Pressure Snap-In
The TR600HP has a brass stem and fits rims up to .205 in. thick at the hole. Made for higher pressure trailer and light truck tires.
Shop TR600HPUp to 200 PSI
Metal Clamp-In
TR416 stems bolt through .453 or .625 in. holes. Brass TR570 and TR575 valves are made for truck wheels.
Shop TR416Tools for the Job
A valve puller, a core tool and fresh caps make a stem swap quick. Find them with our valve tools.