How do you top off your car tires ?

[fredo]

Hey, guys. I'm looking for something I can keep at my garage to top off the air on car tires. I'm considering a portable air compressor or 120 volt air pump. Not very interested on the 12 volt air pump you connect into the car outlet. Do you have any recommendations ? Oh, I forgot to say the only use for this compressor or air pump will be to top off car tires.

Thanks in advance.

[wsmeyer]

I use my bicycle pump. It takes about 10 pumps per psi so as long as I check them regularly it works just fine. The gauge seems to be pretty accurate too.

[Avetiso]

I'd get an air compressor. Many uses, like impact guns, tire pressure, air blower (more useful than you think).

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[kayger12]

I bought a 5.5 gallon air compressor from Lowes.

Was relatively cheap, doesn't take up a lot of space, and is good for smaller applications.

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[BavarianZHP]

My dad has an industrial air compressor. I use it every month or so whenever I head up North. Since it's winter (cold = air pressure's tend to decrease in tires), I tend to check the pressures more often. I set the regulator to 40 - 45 psi and fill it up until the rears are around 40 psi. Fronts I do until ~35psi cold. Your air pressures will be elevated after a spirited drive and can throw you off.

[3ZHP]

For the most part I use this
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/12/16/hu7u9yby.jpg

But for the small jobs and track days I acquired his

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/12/16/a5eba5yb.jpg
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/12/16/yge7anaj.jpg

Works great for airing up tires or light jobs; use it with my tack nail gun, works great for molding work in the house. Lasts fairly well between re fills, I fill it off my compressor so, you'd need to get it filled at a shop.

Check out Northern Tool from the link below, $36-$45

http://m.northerntool.com/mt/www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/NTESearch?storeId=6970&ipp=24&Ntt=Air%2Btank&un_jtt_redirect


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[M0nk3y]

Just IMO...if you need it for just top offs and nothing else, go to a gas station and get it done.

[ELCID86]

I have a Porter Cable pancake compressor I bought to use with a nail gun. I've also used it w/ a borrowed impact wrench. Sometimes it is easier to go to the local convenience store but their pump barely gets above 32 PSI and takes forever.

[Washburn]

I have a ViAir portable air compressor that's pretty powerful, I think. I never plug it into the car though. I think it cost around $35 on amazon when it was on sale. It inflates tires pretty quickly. (max 85 PSI)

http://www.amazon.com/VIAIR-85P-Portable-Air-Compressor/dp/B0036E9VB6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1387150564&sr=8-1&keywords=vair+air+compressor
11340

I do not plug it into the 12v socket of the car though - I've heard the pump draws too much voltage and can result in blown fuses.
So: I use it with my portable Jump starter which has a 12v socket, and it works great.

I double check TP with a digital gauge, but the gauge on the ViAir seems pretty accurate, and I hardly use the digital gauge anymore, and just keep it in my glove box for occasional quick TP checks.
On long trips or during very cold weather, the VAir and the Jump Starter are always in the trunk. :) Very handy!

[danewilson77]

85 psi would work great.

May need closer to 100psi for vanos.

Have you used it for that?

It's not a toy, it's a Droid > Sent from my S4 > Mason, OH

[ELCID86]

Sorry I'm not up on Vanos. What's the compressed air for?


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1).

[danewilson77]

Ahhh... For installing the anti rattle kit.

It's not a toy, it's a Droid > Sent from my S4 > Mason, OH

[alexandre]

Do you guys have suggestions for a small device you could keep in the spare tire well ? I have one but it won't go over 30 psi.

[danewilson77]

Do you guys have suggestions for a small device you could keep in the spare tire well ? I have one but it won't go over 30 psi.

http://m.lowes.com/product?langId=-1&storeId=10702&catalogId=10051&productId=3522750&store=2853&view=detail&nValue=SEARCH

It's not a toy, it's a Droid > Sent from my S4 > Mason, OH

[alexandre]

Beautiful. I'll pick one up next time I'm in the US.

[danewilson77]

Beautiful. I'll pick one up next time I'm in the US.

Lol.. Oops.

It's not a toy, it's a Droid > Sent from my S4 > Mason, OH

[alexandre]

Lol.. Oops.

It's not a toy, it's a Droid > Sent from my S4 > Mason, OH

I have to go to pick up my Secret Santa shipment once it gets there anyway!

[danewilson77]

I have to go to pick up my Secret Santa shipment once it gets there anyway!

Ok

It's not a toy, it's a Droid > Sent from my S4 > Mason, OH

[johnrando]

Pep Boys has those portable rechargable battery jumpers that also provide compressed air. They work fine for air, not all the time for jumping the BMW though. But once you charge them up, they are great (albeit slow) for adding air. If you're just topping off, they are perfect.

http://www.pepboys.com/tools/booster_packs_jumper_cables

[ELCID86]

Ahhh... For installing the anti rattle kit.



hmm, ok.

[Lanister]

I use a quality bicycle pump. Never lets me down! The gauge on it is pretty good to get it in the ballpark pressure but I usually go over by a bit and perfect it with my Longacre gauge.

http://www.amazon.com/Longacre-Racing-Liquid-Pressure-Gauge2-1/dp/B000F1WNFO/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1387211796&sr=8-4&keywords=tire+gauge+for+racing

[Smolck]

When my tires get low I just go for a hard drive and put some heat in em. Usually good for a couple PSI. :rockon

If I must air them up stationary, I use my compressor.

[fredo]

I appreciate your ideas and comments, gentlemen. As mentioned, my goal is to reduce trips to the gas station. As of last week, I had 9 tires to top off (3 cars). I will update once I buy something.

[danewilson77]

http://m.lowes.com/product?langId=-1&storeId=10702&catalogId=10051&productId=3522750&store=2853&view=detail&nValue=SEARCH

It's not a toy, it's a Droid > Sent from my S4 > Mason, OH

It would seem to me, that this is hard to beat for $40.

Fill us in on your review.

It's not a toy, it's a Droid > Sent from my S4 > Mason, OH

[ELCID86]

It would seem to me, that this is hard to beat for $40.



Seems like it. Good reviews. I like the accuracy and auto-cutoff.


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[brettbimmer]

fredo, looks like you have some good options above, but let me throw you one more idea if you want a higher capacity 12v pump. I purchased a Q Industries SuperFlow MV50 a few years ago as I needed to be able to add air up to 105 PSI to some boat trailer tires with work. This pump has been great, and while a bit pricey, it can handle the higher pressures. One drawback is the connection to the tire stem itself is a bit hard to take on & off of the tire, as it is a screw-on fitting. This could be modified if desired. Also, given the higher capacity of this pump, it is only designed for use with alligator clips to a battery, no cig. plug adapter. Anyway, it has been great for what I use it for.

A photo of the pump, which comes with a soft storage case.
11353

And a link to the unit currently on sale at Northern Tool:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200442866_200442866?cm_mmc=Google-pla-_-Air%20Compressors-_-Single%20Stage%20Electric%20Air%20Compressors-_-305400&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=305400&gclid=CNThi8not7sCFXHxOgodl0MAFQ

I do have a full-sized compressor that I normally use in the garage, and an old 110V portable air compressor from Sears (probably close to 20 years old now) that is a bit more portable if household power use is easier. Unfortunately I have not seen it online anywhere probably due to it's age.

Good luck with the inflator search!

[fredo]

Thanks, Brettski ! Good info here.

[danewilson77]

I apologize fredo. The entire time.... I thought you were going for one that fit in your spare tire well. I have no idea why I thought that, but now realize my error.

Thanks for the grace.

It's not a toy, it's a Droid > Sent from my S4 > Mason, OH

[fredo]

Do you guys have suggestions for a small device you could keep in the spare tire well ? I have one but it won't go over 30 psi.

No worries, Dane. Alexandre asked about one for the spare tire well. I bet he finds the info useful.

[danewilson77]

Ahhh....that's where I got it.

[Dave1027]

I would stick with a decent sized air compressor, not one of small units. Nothing like using air tools. Makes quick work of many jobs.

[mLuMaN83]

I don't have my air compressor anymore but I have an electric guy. You just plug it in. It's good up to like 120psi I think. My bike pump was $65. Thats goes on my road bike only plus I don't think it could handle more than 20psi.