Convenient Method to Add Air to Tires?

JM19 · 01-04-05, 11:02

Please don't laugh, but I was wondering if it would be reasonable to use a bicycle hand pump as a way to add air to my tires? I'm only asking as I have one in my garage and thought it would be convenient to use rather than having to drive down to the service station and mess with the machine they have there.

Setec Astronomy · 01-04-05, 11:11

Thatsa lotta pumps...they do make foot operated pumps for tires, but a lotta steps on that baby...try a cigarette-lighter powered pump...or Sears and other places sell small (5-6 gallon) air tanks that you can pump up at the gas station or elsewhere. Also Sears has a real small electric compressor, I don't know how much but they had a larger one on sale before xmas for $90, or an inflator for around $50.

General Lee · 01-04-05, 11:12

Air is Air,do what you gotta do. Depending on low your tire is, it may take a while to get it where you want it.

That would be funny though driving by someone's house and seeing them pumping up a car tire w/ one of those.

You also get one of those portable air tanks that just hold air. Take to a gas station fill it up and store it in your garage. When you need a shot of air you'll have it. Just re-fill as needed. As long as everything is sealed tight ie; hose connections etc. It should last until used. Just a thought.

Accumulator · 01-04-05, 11:21

Quote:

Originally posted by General Lee
You also get one of those portable air tanks that just hold air. Take to a gas station fill it up and store it in your garage.

That's what I recommend to my not-into-cars-or-tools friends who aren't gonna buy a compressor

You can find compressors pretty cheap though...

JM19 · 01-04-05, 12:23

Is this what I should buy?

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...id=00915200000

Also, the tires should be properly inflated to the number on the door jamb when COLD, correct?

Therefore, my car would have COLD pressures of 29 in the rear and 32 in the front, as stated on the label in my door jamb.

Accumulator · 01-04-05, 12:29

JM19- Yeah, that tank should work well. If you'd like to save a little money you could get one from somebody else for maybe half as much

Check places like Harbor Freight.

The manufacturer's info is a good starting point, but it all depends on the individual situation. Many manufacturers recommend pressures that are, IMO, too low so the vehicle rides "soft". Watch the tires for odd wear and adjust accordingly unless you have some other criteria you want to go by.

And get a good tire gauge. I had five supposedly good ones that gave me four different readings

The two most expensive ones agree, so that's what I go by (but I still *really* go by how the vehicles drive and how the tires wear).

IanO · 01-04-05, 12:30

A bicycle pump will work fine for going up 3 or 4psi and really doesn't take that long. At the Solo I/II events that I attend guys are always using bicycle pumps to increase the pressures. The air tanks (aka air pigs) are okay but it can really be a pain to find a gas station that has enough pressure to get them to a useful level. The cheap cigarette lighter pumps are totally useless and take forever and don't ever trust their built in guages.

Yes, the manufacturers ratings are for cold tires. Get a good guage and check the pressures weekly and you'll be set (temperatures can really change the pressures).

Brad B. · 01-04-05, 12:33

I am a bicycle guy, too, so I have an assortment of foot and hand pumps around. The trouble is, all bike pumps are high-pressure, low volume. Car tires are high-volume, low-pressure. So you end up pumping your brains out getting enough air in. It works, but you get the cardio workout you never wanted!

I just bought a Sears Craftsman 12V portable compressor to stick in the Mini Cooper and carry along to track days. It is about the size of a small clock radio. (The smallest, best proportioned I have seen so I can stick it is the wheel well out of the way) It has a regulator so you can pre-set the pressure if you like, a gauge, a long 12V cord for the cigarette lighter, etc. $29 on sale.

I also have one of the tanks that the others have mentioned. You can fill it up every so often at the gas station and the air is there when you need it. Harbor Freight has those cheap.
http://order.harborfreight.com/EasyA...ht/results.jsp

Of course, nothing beats a big ole compressor! I just replaced the Ingorsoll Rand in the pic with a 6hp/33 gallon Craftsman. Big enough for me anyway.

FalconGuy · 01-04-05, 12:35

keep your valve caps on, it really goes a long way towards keeping your gauge last and keeping accurate.

I cheap out on the pump, 9 dollar autozone cig lighter pump tops off my tires in seconds..... Wont seat a bead mind you but it works

Bill D · 01-04-05, 12:45

I really love these

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...roduct_id=3992

JM19 · 01-04-05, 12:53

I think the bicycle pump might work well for my situation. As of now, the tire pressures seem to be off about 3 to 5 PSI whenever I check them COLD. However, if I check them after driving they seem to be at the correct factory specs.

the other pc · 01-04-05, 01:39

Quote:

Originally posted by JM19
... if I check them after driving they seem to be at the correct factory specs.

Just following the laws of physics. As the temperature goes up pressure increases. Driving on a tire heats it up.

Unfortunately the recommended inflation pressures are cold pressures. It's not a big deal but you might try adding a pound or two warm and checking them again cold until you get it where you want it.

PC.