Air compressor to keep in garage for adding a little air to tires?

[lizzzi]

When my tires get a little low...lets say 29 psi when they're supposed to be 31 psi, I'd like to just put a little air in in the garage. Trying to research compressors is mind-boggling. I'm looking for something that I can plug into the wall (110 v) and that does not require me buying extra couplings and a hose. Or should I get something that would plug into the 12 v connection in my car--I believe that is the same place I re-charge my phone when driving. Many ads speak of the "cigarette lighter", but my vehicle doesn't have a cigarette lighter. I don't need to run power tools or anything like that, and probably would not be inflating balls, toys, or air mattresses. I'm very confused right now.

The closest "free air" machine is usually broken, and while the closest Goodyear dealer will cheerfully top them up for me, it is just an extra chore and pain to call them and then haul up there.

[GuitarStv]

I use my bike pump.  It takes about five minutes pumping per tire when I'm adding 10 - 15 psi after swapping the winter tires over.  Only a minute or two to top up a couple PSI.

[lizzzi]

I use my bike pump.  It takes about five minutes pumping per tire when I'm adding 10 - 15 psi after swapping the winter tires over.  Only a minute or two to top up a couple PSI.

Sounds like what I need. Will I need to buy any different kind of connector? Or just go up to the bike store and get a pump?

[robartsd]

Many bike pumps these days can inflate both Presta and Schrader valves (some have separate holes, some have one hole that you reconfigure). Schrader is the valve style usually used on cars (and many bikes too); they have rubber stems. Presta valves are popular on high end bikes; they threaded metal stems that are slightly smaller in diameter (and usually longer) than Schrader valve stems. The employees at a bike store should know the difference, be able to show you examples of both valve styles, and know that most cars use Schrader.

Bike tires contain much less volume of air than car tires, but at a higher pressure. Just about any bike pump can inflate a car tire, but the volume of air they move per stroke makes a big difference in how long it takes. You want a full size floor pump.

[GuitarStv]

I use my bike pump.  It takes about five minutes pumping per tire when I'm adding 10 - 15 psi after swapping the winter tires over.  Only a minute or two to top up a couple PSI.

Sounds like what I need. Will I need to buy any different kind of connector? Or just go up to the bike store and get a pump?

Just get a large track style pump with a gauge.  It should look like this:


Not like this:



The little pumps are for emergency roadside bike repair.  They suck for inflating bike tires, they would be terrible for inflating a car.  The bigger pumps move more air with every stroke, and are taller/more comfortable to use.

[lthenderson]

Years ago, I got what is referred to as a pancake air compressor and a nail gun combo package at a local big box store. It plugs into 110 outlets and came with an air chuck for airing up tires and plugged right into the nail gun. I found it cheaper to go with the combo package than an air compressor alone with all the proper fittings. Since then, I have come to own several more tools that run off the air compressor and it is small enough that I can carry around when doing projects inside.

[snogirl]

Years ago, I got what is referred to as a pancake air compressor and a nail gun combo package at a local big box store. It plugs into 110 outlets and came with an air chuck for airing up tires and plugged right into the nail gun. I found it cheaper to go with the combo package than an air compressor alone with all the proper fittings. Since then, I have come to own several more tools that run off the air compressor and it is small enough that I can carry around when doing projects inside.

This is what I have.  I bought mine from Lowe's and it has been super handy in the last few years.

[Jack]

Having tried both, IMO a 12v (car outlet) electric compressor is no better than a bike pump. If all you care about is topping off the car tires (and not actually running a nail gun, or more) then even a pancake compressor is overkill.

[Miss Piggy]

Those hand/upper body bike pumps (the typical ones we've been using for however many years) can get pretty physically taxing after a few minutes. Have any of you tried a foot pump?

[GuitarStv]

Those hand/upper body bike pumps (the typical ones we've been using for however many years) can get pretty physically taxing after a few minutes. Have any of you tried a foot pump?

They're much, much, much slower in my experience.

[Miss Piggy]

Those hand/upper body bike pumps (the typical ones we've been using for however many years) can get pretty physically taxing after a few minutes. Have any of you tried a foot pump?

They're much, much, much slower in my experience.

Interesting. A 60-second peek on Amazon shows fairly crappy feedback on most of them. Maybe speed is why.

[tonysemail]

i view the taxing exercise as a perk! ;P

[Drifterrider]

Get a compact compressor from Autozone or the like.  Keep it in your car.   Slime makes a nice one.  I carry one in the side panel of my M/C as well as one in the trunk of my car.  I also carry a puncture repair kit and fire extinguisher.

Cigarette lighter is now Power Port.  If you really don't have one in your car, get the compressor with the battery clamps.

Under $30.

[lizzzi]

Just ordered a manual bike pump from 'Zon on my Prime. I'll update with a report after it gets here and I try it. If it works out all right, I'll keep it in my car. (Yes, I have a power port--use it for the iPhone recharging.)

[lizzzi]

Just ordered a manual bike pump from 'Zon on my Prime. I'll update with a report after it gets here and I try it. If it works out all right, I'll keep it in my car. (Yes, I have a power port--use it for the iPhone recharging.)
[/quote

Don't know how to post the link. It is a Schwinn Floor Pump for $24.99. Opinions welcome--I can always send it back if I've made a mistake.

[Jack]

Believe it or not, the cheap Zefal 5610 floor pump Wal-Mart sells doesn't suck.

[lizzzi]

Believe it or not, the cheap Zefal 5610 floor pump Wal-Mart sells doesn't suck.

Walmart website says it's no longer available.

[gggggg]

I have a couple of bike pumps and tried them on my tires, the stems were short and at a weird angle, so I couldn't use the pump(s). I bought a tiny cheap compressor at harbor freight that i just leave in my trunk. I pull it out and top them off about once a month.

[Papa Mustache]

The 12V compressor someone gave me didn't last. About three flats was about it.

Later bought a nail gun compressor (and nail guns package) and it's been great. Don't use it much anymore.

That was superseded by a proper 60 gal 220V upright compressor b/c I'm running all sorts of air tools these days.

[nereo]

Because I already had a pancake compressor (which I use mostly for brad-nailing) I got a tire inflator kit for ~$10 that looks like the photo below.  It works brilliantly, filling my tires in about 15 seconds. 

However, if you aren't going to need a compressor for anything else just get the bike pump GuitarStv mentioned, but make sure it has a schrader valve (that's the kind of valve all car tires have, and the kind of tubes a mountain bike and many hybrid bikes use.  It's different from the presta-valve that expensive road-bikes use. Many bike pumps have a head that will work with both.

[Dancin'Dog]

Get a compact compressor from Autozone or the like.  Keep it in your car.   Slime makes a nice one.  I carry one in the side panel of my M/C as well as one in the trunk of my car.  I also carry a puncture repair kit and fire extinguisher.

Cigarette lighter is now Power Port.  If you really don't have one in your car, get the compressor with the battery clamps.

Under $30.

Agreed.  The 12V little compressors are perfect.  We used to drive on a lot of gravel roads and would plug & refill flats without even taking them off the car.  I've kept 12V compressors in our cars ever since.

[BlueMR2]

I use a Joe Blow bike floor pump (the tall kind you pump by hand) pump that comes with Schrader valve attached and an adapter for presta.  I've had that thing for over a decade now and use it for topping off all our bike tires, car tires (we have 3 cars), and the motorcycle.  It was pricy at $50, but has been a good value.  Before that I had numerous hand/foot pumps as well as several electric 12v pumps.  None of them lasted more than a year or 2.

[GuitarStv]

The new Joe Blow Sport II pump head is the greatest bike pump head I've ever used:



You want Presta?  Push the paddle to one side.  You want Schraeder?  Push to the other side.

We've got a couple bikes of each type, and it's soooo much better than dicking around with unscrewing and re-screwing in fiddly little bits to your pump head.  I don't have the topeak pump it comes with, but it was totally worth buying the pump head to use with my floor pump.

[nereo]

The new Joe Blow Sport II pump head is the greatest bike pump head I've ever used:


You want Presta?  Push the paddle to one side.  You want Schraeder?  Push to the other side.

Thanks for the recommendation.  My bike pump (a Blackburn) recently broke when it failed to ...uh... absorb the weight of a car tire that rolled over it. I need a new pump and between my road bike and our commuters we need both kinds.

[Shaz_Au]

Another recommendation for the Joe Blow Sport II Pump.  We have a mix of presta and schraeder valves on bikes, filling them is a breeze.  The other day I had to pump up my ride-on-mower tyres, and this pump was closer so I used it, it worked great and it is so much quieter than the cheap 12v compressor I have.  While I was on a roll I checked the car tyres and decided to compare the pump vs compressor.  I found the pump was quicker!  I could set the compressor going on one tyre and then go and pump up another tyre and be finished before the compressor!

Later I found out that my local bike shop also use this pump in their service area, so 2 recommendations for the price of 1.

I bought mine online and at least in Australia I found prices varied a lot so it was worth the time to shop around.

[BudgetSlasher]

I have 3 options in my household.

1) I have a cheapo bicycle hand pump that takes a good long while to add any significant amount of pressure to a car tire, but it will work.

2) I have a pancake air compressor in the workshop that came with a tire filling adapter. I love for doing many PSI in many tires (like when I top up the the cars when switching tires). It is also great for reseating small tires if the bead has been broken. But, I would not haul it out of the shop and wait for the tank to fill for a single tire at 1-2 PSI.

3) I have a 12v pump that lives in my car which is what I use the most often; I've had this same pump in ever car I've owned and while not as fast as the pancake it is more convenient. It's also saved me from having to switch the spare time when I had a slow leak and its saved me when I had to switch to the spare and found it to be flat.

So, my recommendation would be a small 12v car powered pump that lives in the car (mine in under the trunk liner inside of the spare tire. That way you will always have it when you need it.

[Goldielocks]

Get a compact compressor from Autozone or the like.  Keep it in your car.   Slime makes a nice one.  I carry one in the side panel of my M/C as well as one in the trunk of my car.  I also carry a puncture repair kit and fire extinguisher.

Cigarette lighter is now Power Port.  If you really don't have one in your car, get the compressor with the battery clamps.

Under $30.

Walmart cheapo's sell for less than half that, and work well for me above freezing, just takes twice as long.  I like that I carry it with me, and can do this in a parking lot when I notice a problem.  So far it has lasted 2-3 years.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Car-and-Driver-250-300-PSI-Air-Compressor-Orange/44120603

[Drifterrider]

Get a compact compressor from Autozone or the like.  Keep it in your car.   Slime makes a nice one.  I carry one in the side panel of my M/C as well as one in the trunk of my car.  I also carry a puncture repair kit and fire extinguisher.

Cigarette lighter is now Power Port.  If you really don't have one in your car, get the compressor with the battery clamps.

Under $30.

Well, I did say under $30 :)   Not knowing the area of the OP I didn't know how much under.  I use the Slime Top Off for my M/C.  Fits in the side panel. 
Certain things should come with each car.  First aid kit, fire extinguisher, jumper cables, warning triangle (required in Germany, still have mine) and belts and wrenches.  I have road side assist but don't really want to wait for them if it is something simple.

[Goldielocks]

Get a compact compressor from Autozone or the like.  Keep it in your car.   Slime makes a nice one.  I carry one in the side panel of my M/C as well as one in the trunk of my car.  I also carry a puncture repair kit and fire extinguisher.

Cigarette lighter is now Power Port.  If you really don't have one in your car, get the compressor with the battery clamps.

Under $30.

Well, I did say under $30 :)   Not knowing the area of the OP I didn't know how much under.  I use the Slime Top Off for my M/C.  Fits in the side panel. 
Certain things should come with each car.  First aid kit, fire extinguisher, jumper cables, warning triangle (required in Germany, still have mine) and belts and wrenches.  I have road side assist but don't really want to wait for them if it is something simple.

Hey., $18 is $18....   grin...

[lizzzi]

OP here, coming back with an update. I have tried my bicycle pump a couple times for the Toyota Highlander. It attaches without being affected by the wheel rims, so that isn't the issue...but...it is hard to get it to latch on without losing a bunch of air. Once it is on and locked--and I lost 3 psi this afternoon just trying to get that far...it is easy to pump and just takes a minute to get up from lets say 25 or 26 psi to where the tires are supposed to be at 30 psi. But then, the blankety-blank thing is hard to unlatch and get off without losing all the air that was just put in. Sheesh. I just called Goodyear around the corner and they said that happens all the time...and just to bring it up and they'd top off my tires...which they did quickly, for free, and with very helpful, pleasant attitudes. So the family will be using this pump for the bikes, not for the car. I am going to look for a compressor--have had them in the past...just not crazy about the noise.

[Dancin'Dog]

I've never regretted buying a real air compressor. 

[Papa Mustache]

With a hand pump, put the tires up an extra 2 psi and then remove the pump. Then using your tire gauge, check it and release a bit more air if necessary.

[lizzzi]

I get it that it would be a good idea to pump a little bit above the desired pressure, but I was having trouble getting the bike pump to even latch on in the first place. The tire lost air during latch on...then lost air while pulling the bike pump off...then lost more air while re-checking the pressure with the tire gauge. Just aggravating, and not the simple, elegant solution I was looking for. To add insult to injury, the tire pressure warning light on my 2012 Toyota Highlander won't go off, despite the tires being inflated correctly. Owner's manual says it should go off after a few minutes of driving (nope), and if not, (per internet) that there is a button under the steering wheel for reset. (nope).

[Debts_of_Despair]

I've never regretted buying a real air compressor.

Only reasonable response in this thread.  The cheap vs frugal line is definitely being crossed in here.  I have a big 33 gal Craftsman that I use at least two or three times a week.  Between cars, bikes and air tools I am always using it.  It can be a "buy it for life" item if you get the right one.

I would recommend a 20+ gallon one and avoid anything that claims to be "oilless."

[Goldielocks]

I've never regretted buying a real air compressor.

Only reasonable response in this thread.  The cheap vs frugal line is definitely being crossed in here.  I have a big 33 gal Craftsman that I use at least two or three times a week.  Between cars, bikes and air tools I am always using it.  It can be a "buy it for life" item if you get the right one.

I would recommend a 20+ gallon one and avoid anything that claims to be "oilless."

I have owned the larger compressor for years, but still bought and value the mini one in the car ($12).  Why?  The compressor is always in the shop, and I hate carrying it upstairs for the car (but I can)... 

More importantly, I usually notice the tire deflation while out and driving, so the portable one gives me confidence to not be stranded or to fill tires with only 5 minutes of delay in a parking lot somewhere, when I am on my way to a client meeting.

[nereo]

I've never regretted buying a real air compressor.

Only reasonable response in this thread.  The cheap vs frugal line is definitely being crossed in here.  I have a big 33 gal Craftsman that I use at least two or three times a week.  Between cars, bikes and air tools I am always using it.  It can be a "buy it for life" item if you get the right one.

I would recommend a 20+ gallon one and avoid anything that claims to be "oilless."

I have owned the larger compressor for years, but still bought and value the mini one in the car ($12).  Why?  The compressor is always in the shop, and I hate carrying it upstairs for the car (but I can)... 

More importantly, I usually notice the tire deflation while out and driving, so the portable one gives me confidence to not be stranded or to fill tires with only 5 minutes of delay in a parking lot somewhere, when I am on my way to a client meeting.

yeah... a bit surprised to see this as the 'only reasonable response'. Not all of us have tool storage adjacent to our cars; some of us don't even have a garage. My 6gal pancake is small enough to be moved around for various weekend projects and tucks into my storage locker when I'm done.  For apartment dwellers with on-street parking the bike pump or 12V car compressor makes far more sense than a 20+ gal compressor. 
Different solutions for different folks.

[zolotiyeruki]

I don't know about the whole "real" vs "toy" air compressor issue, but I can say this:  Filling a tire is a *lot* faster with a compressor than with a pump.  And those flat (or just low) tires always seem to come when you're nearly (or already) late to something.

[nereo]

I don't know about the whole "real" vs "toy" air compressor issue, but I can say this:  Filling a tire is a *lot* faster with a compressor than with a pump.  And those flat (or just low) tires always seem to come when you're nearly (or already) late to something.

I get that, I really do... and side by side I'd rather use my compressor than my bike pump for filling up a completely flat tire.  But, having done this a few times recently (my tires apparently weren't sealed on the rim very well), here's my experience: when I discovered the flat tire my bike pump was right there and it took me maybe 3-4 minutes to pump it up.  My compressor was tucked into its storage compartment with the tire-filler-attachment in another tool box.  I would have had to take out the compressor, plug it in to charge it (noisy!), carry it over to the car, uncoil and plug in the hose, attach the filler nozzle, inflate the tire, and then reverse the processes.
It's great if you have a garage and can permanently set up your compressor so it's just a few feet away at all times, but if your car is parked in a driveway, lot, on-street, or away from work (e.g. at work) then the compressor becomes the least useful of the options.  You can carry a bike pump or 'toy' compressor in your car; most people won't ever have a 'real' compressor in their cars, so they ahve to hope that they happen to be parked right next to theirs in their home.
Each has its advantages - and disadvantages.

[NinetyFour]

I have a 4WD truck with a slide in camper on it.  I have read that it is good practice to deflate the truck's tires when driving on rough roads, and then re-inflate them when back on pavement.  So I need to buy an air compressor.  I guess it would be a 12V one that will work from the truck's battery.  Any suggestions for particular brands?

Sorry for the sort of hijack.

Thanks.

[lizzzi]

I'll throw in another sort of hijack to my original post. My tire pressure warning light finally went off today when I drove out of the slow-speed neighborhood and onto the highway at 65-70 mph. Maybe I just wasn't driving the vehicle fast enough??? And there are many craters on the far side of the moon. ... and all will become clear when we live in Mars domes and commute to the Earth-like planet of Proxima Centauri. Sigh.

[nereo]

I'll throw in another sort of hijack to my original post. My tire pressure warning light finally went off today when I drove out of the slow-speed neighborhood and onto the highway at 65-70 mph. Maybe I just wasn't driving the vehicle fast enough??? And there are many craters on the far side of the moon. ... and all will become clear when we live in Mars domes and commute to the Earth-like planet of Proxima Centauri. Sigh.

... I don't think it's possible to hijack your own thread.
It's possible your pressure increased as you speed increased (friction causes heat, heat causes air to expand, increasing pressure).  Or your TPMS could just be malfuctioning.  dunno about the rest..

[Debts_of_Despair]

I'll throw in another sort of hijack to my original post. My tire pressure warning light finally went off today when I drove out of the slow-speed neighborhood and onto the highway at 65-70 mph. Maybe I just wasn't driving the vehicle fast enough??? And there are many craters on the far side of the moon. ... and all will become clear when we live in Mars domes and commute to the Earth-like planet of Proxima Centauri. Sigh.

... I don't think it's possible to hijack your own thread.
It's possible your pressure increased as you speed increased (friction causes heat, heat causes air to expand, increasing pressure).  Or your TPMS could just be malfuctioning.  dunno about the rest..

I'm not aware of any TPMS that gives a warning for pressure too high.

[nereo]

I'll throw in another sort of hijack to my original post. My tire pressure warning light finally went off today when I drove out of the slow-speed neighborhood and onto the highway at 65-70 mph. Maybe I just wasn't driving the vehicle fast enough??? And there are many craters on the far side of the moon. ... and all will become clear when we live in Mars domes and commute to the Earth-like planet of Proxima Centauri. Sigh.

... I don't think it's possible to hijack your own thread.
It's possible your pressure increased as you speed increased (friction causes heat, heat causes air to expand, increasing pressure).  Or your TPMS could just be malfuctioning.  dunno about the rest..

I'm not aware of any TPMS that gives a warning for pressure too high.

Neither do I.  My reading from the post was that the light went off after driving at higher speeds.  To me that suggests that (assuming the TPMS was working correctly) the pressure was low and then increased above the threshold causing the light to go out.

[Dancin'Dog]

I have a 4WD truck with a slide in camper on it.  I have read that it is good practice to deflate the truck's tires when driving on rough roads, and then re-inflate them when back on pavement.  So I need to buy an air compressor.  I guess it would be a 12V one that will work from the truck's battery.  Any suggestions for particular brands?

Sorry for the sort of hijack.

Thanks.

I'd ask that on a 4x4 forum to get answers from an experienced group. 

I'm guessing that you don't really need to lower your pressure unless the roads are extremely rough, with big and/or sharp rocks.  I'd consider that "off roading". 

[lizzzi]

My tires were all topped off to the correct pressure. The dash light did not go off, as the owner's manual said that it would. I was going to call the dealer after the Labor Day weekend, when I got on the highway at 60-65 mph and the dash light finally went off. Just puzzling.

Ninety-Four, let us know the answer to your truck tires question if you find out.

[zolotiyeruki]

My tires were all topped off to the correct pressure. The dash light did not go off, as the owner's manual said that it would. I was going to call the dealer after the Labor Day weekend, when I got on the highway at 60-65 mph and the dash light finally went off. Just puzzling.

Ninety-Four, let us know the answer to your truck tires question if you find out.

I don't know if it's the same for TPMS, but I know that emissions sensors in your car won't immediately change status once you've fixed the problem.  They wait X minutes or starts or miles or something before they will change, to make sure it's not a transient condition.

[guitar_stitch]

I'm not aware of any TPMS that gives a warning for pressure too high.

My Dad's 2011 Dodge is finnicky.  It wants +/- 2 psi of the rated pressure.  Too high WILL set it off.

[nereo]

I'm not aware of any TPMS that gives a warning for pressure too high.

My Dad's 2011 Dodge is finnicky.  It wants +/- 2 psi of the rated pressure.  Too high WILL set it off.

Interesting.  Any annoying.  Thanks for the correction.
I've had a TPMS dash light on for two years since one (out of four) sensors went bad.  The cheapest I've found to fix it is >$120.  Instead I just check the tire pressure every time I fill up (which is about once a month); not much different from the days before we had TPMS.

[robartsd]

I have a 4WD truck with a slide in camper on it.  I have read that it is good practice to deflate the truck's tires when driving on rough roads, and then re-inflate them when back on pavement.  So I need to buy an air compressor.  I guess it would be a 12V one that will work from the truck's battery.  Any suggestions for particular brands?

Sorry for the sort of hijack.

Thanks.

I'd ask that on a 4x4 forum to get answers from an experienced group. 

I'm guessing that you don't really need to lower your pressure unless the roads are extremely rough, with big and/or sharp rocks.  I'd consider that "off roading".

Lower pressure should help with traction on soft/loose surfaces. I imagine the best portable compressors for regularly adjusting tire pressure for off roading may be different than the best compressors for occasionally topping off the pressure in passenger car tires.

[Jack]

Lower pressure should help with traction on soft/loose surfaces. I imagine the best portable compressors for regularly adjusting tire pressure for off roading may be different than the best compressors for occasionally topping off the pressure in passenger car tires.

Yeah, if I were off-roading and airing my tires down and up on the trail by 10+ PSI increments, I'd want a much better compressor than would be acceptable for topping off at home when I could go do something else instead of standing around waiting for it.