Long line at the air pump

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Originally Posted by hallstevenson
Originally Posted by maxdustington
I find it odd that people are inflating hot tires. That information is in every article written about keeping your tires filled, right after increased MPG and longer tire life.

What is the average person supposed to do ? They're driving and their low-pressure light comes on and they add air. The average person doesn't have an air compressor so they can't park their car for hours until they're cold to check "properly". Why are there air pumps at gas stations then ? Why do tire places do 'free air fill-ups' ?
The average person has a $600+ cell phone and at least one subscription to some sort of streaming service, they can afford a $30 compressor. Buying tools is fun!

Because wrenching on things yourself doesn't make you look rich, duh! Much more bougy to have some idiot wrench on your car and break it.
 
Originally Posted by SubyRoo
Which portable pump are you guys using? I was checking some out on amazon and there were a lot of reviews that weren't so great.


This one for me: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WOT3YM6/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Been using it for about 1.5 year now, no problem and really like it. The only complain is the threaded connector, but I see the version linked above has been updated and now snap-on! So no negative then, lol
 
I bought one of these pumps to inflate my tires. It's also good for other stuff too, like using air tools and stuff.
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Originally Posted by dadto2
Originally Posted by maxdustington
Originally Posted by dogememe
i find it odd people don't have a portable tire pump in their car. I have the Slime one for less than $30 that automatically fills up to the PSI you set.
I find it odd that people are inflating hot tires. That information is in every article written about keeping your tires filled, right after increased MPG and longer tire life.

I carry a 12v pump in each vehicle, but I still fill from the pump at BJs. It's free, and I fill all four tires in the same time it takes to fill just one with my portable pump. I guess I'm just lazy.


Same here.
GetGo and Dutchess Shops have free air around here.
So why waste the time setting up my portable?
Save it for emergencies.
 
Some 40 years ago when there was talk of air for pay coming I bought my first 12v compressor. Came in handy over the years for not only car/truck tires but for inflating soccer and volleyballs, wheel barrel tires etc. Finally died about two years ago.
Everyone should have a portable air compressor.
 
I use a bicycle pump for topoffs.

If I need to air up a hot tire, I'll overfill it, then reduce the pressure next morning when it's cold.
 
Originally Posted by exranger06
I bought one of these pumps to inflate my tires. It's also good for other stuff too, like using air tools and stuff.
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Oh baby, nice compressor! What model is that? Buying a Qunicy for a home shop.....you are living the dream!
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Coming into the colder weather I always try to anticipate the upcoming seasons, by adding 3-5 psi knowing they will probably won't even check it for a couple years. In the spring when the temps are coming up I go back to placard spec pressure, and they will be low by Fall. My shop air, and nitrogen is pretty cool, and have noticed a 1 degree temp rise 30 minutes later after filling a tire. I also make sure the bead seat of the is clean for every tire I install. Maintaining pressures through all of the variables is best, but most people with TPMS drive around for months with tires that are up to 25% low, until the light eventually comes on whenever the weather cools.
 
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Some of those people in line for free air probably check their oil when the light on dash comes on.
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I have a little compressor I plug in. It is more convenient for me to top off air at home. I had a blow out 40 years ago so I try to check the air monthly. Life happens and good habits get lost. I keep mine about 4 lbs above so I should be OK when I check tomorrow.
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back before I got my own compressor I used to measure my tire pressure cold then drive to the station with the free air. At the station I'd check the pressure again. However much higher it was than cold (usually just 1 or 2 psi higher) I'd just add that same amount on top of the recommended cold pressure...simple.
 
Originally Posted by dogememe
i find it odd people don't have a portable tire pump in their car. I have the Slime one for less than $30 that automatically fills up to the PSI you set.


Thanks for the recommend....I have some crap Firestones on my car that lose 4-5 psi per month. Going to invest in one of these machines as I was one of many cars doing the double dutch jump rope entry at the free air at the QuickTrip when we dropped from 80 down to low 50 overnight. It was like a herd of Gazelles trying to get to one carcass to feed on......almost got into it with some lady in her Sante Fe that just thought she could just come jump the queue of myself and 2 cars behind me....she stopped her arm flailing real quick when she realized there were people other than her.
 
Originally Posted by Traction
Coming into the colder weather I always try to anticipate the upcoming seasons, by adding 3-5 psi knowing they will probably won't even check it for a couple years. In the spring when the temps are coming up I go back to placard spec pressure, and they will be low by Fall. My shop air, and nitrogen is pretty cool, and have noticed a 1 degree temp rise 30 minutes later after filling a tire. I also make sure the bead seat of the is clean for every tire I install. Maintaining pressures through all of the variables is best, but most people with TPMS drive around for months with tires that are up to 25% low, until the light eventually comes on whenever the weather cools.

Timed out edit. I meant I see a 1 psi increase 30 minutes after I fill a tire with dry cold air. It will be opposite filling a cold tire with hot wet air.
 
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Seems like no one knows about the free air machine at my very busy local tire chain. The supply line has a visible air/water separator that goes to an automatic inflation device that beeps when it reaches the set PSI. I set it 2-3psi above my wanted PSI and check the tire pressures first thing in the morning. Gets it spot on.
 
Originally Posted by slacktide_bitog
Long lines at the free pumps, no lines at the ones that make you put in quarters
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Or the ones with the credit card reader.
Enough to make but a small compressor.
 
I realized that I hadn't checked the pressure in my spare tires for quite some time. One of the Camry's with a space saver was down to 18 lbs, the other Camry's space saver was at 42. The Volvo with a full service spare was at 15 lbs. I've got to do better for sure.
 
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