Looking for advice to buy portable car tire inflator

[IcyPeas]

I'd like to get one. They're mostly under $100 on amazon. I don't know anything about them. I would like it to be simple to use. I have a 2007 Nissan versa if that matters (dont be jealous ).

Any info will be appreciated .. good brands, things to consider before buying...

Thanks DU Automobile enthusiasts.

Actual car > > > > > 🚙 🛞

[KS Toronado]

1. I'd just buy a cheap one

Chances are you'll be lucky to ever use it, that is unless you like to ride on old junk tires.
Inflaters are useless with blowouts. Stay away from those that run on batteries, get
one that plugs into a cigarette lighter.

[IcyPeas]

17. Good to know. Thank you

[Rhiannon12866]

25. I've had to add air to three different tires in recent weeks, I was told that it was the weather

And my brother told me yesterday that he's experienced the same thing. But I brought my car to the dealership last week for service and an oil change, they rotated the tires but didn't let me know that anything was wrong with any of them. The issues that I seem to have with cars are tires and windshield wipers and I did have to get my wipers replaced, yet again.

[Blue Owl]

28. Do they rotate the wipers, I wonder?

[gibraltar72]

2. First place I would always look

is Harbor Freight.

[OldBaldy1701E]

4. Seconded! (n/t)

[OldBaldy1701E]

3. All I can say is this...

I bought a Campbell-Hausfeld 12V pump (they had models with a gauge on it but I got the one that did not have one) for $22. I bought it around 13 years ago. It has been accidentally submerged in water for a few days. It has fallen off of things many times onto pavement. It has been used to pump up everything from bicycle tires to my 16" truck tires. (That one took some time to do, but whatever.) What happened to it? Nothing! It is still sitting in our Hyundai right this moment. I used it the other day to top off one of the tires when I noticed it was a bit low. I was in the grocery store parking lot. In summary, it has been a beast!

(Now, in fairness, I have to admit to one thing. I removed the cigarette lighter plug and put clamps on it. That way I can connect to the battery directly. I found that to be a better arrangement. However, nowadays those 'power ports' are more common and they work without the car running.)



A bit worn but still powerful and working!

[OneBlueDotS-Carolina]

10. Ditto

Got a Campbell-Hausfeld pump with a flashlight for an Xmas gift at least 20 years ago, flashlight bulb burnt out years ago, it's slow but has had lots of work over the years.

The ones with 20 volt batteries, often the batteries & the chargers are more expensive than the tool. Unless you have battery-operated tools like a drill, impact driver, etc. I'd advise staying with the plug into a 12volt power outlet.

[OldBaldy1701E]

14. The funny thing is that I have gone through three regular air compressors.

But that thing still cranks it up.

How's things in SC? You Gamecocks enjoying warm weather or is it getting colder again?

[OneBlueDotS-Carolina]

15. Been cold,

will warm up next week, not northern cold, but cold for these parts.

[IcyPeas]

18. Good to know. Thank you.

[IcyPeas]

16. Wow. Sounds dependable! Thank you for this suggestion.

I see Amazon have a few models. I will look into.

[cloudbase]

5. I've got the Ryobi P737.

It works well, and has a digital pressure gauge. I changed out the plastic valve connector for a brass unit that clips on.
Great peace of mind for road trips, and I also carry a set of mushroom tire plugs, just in case.

I already had some Ryobi cordless tools, so having the batteries made this inflator the logical choice. I'm not disappointed.

[usonian]

9. Same here.

Analog gauge model.

I use the same batteries in a hand vac. Ryobi tools are ok if you don't use them.

Much.

About zero setup for the garden cart tires.

[cloudbase]

12. I wouldn't use Ryobi if I made my living with them,

but for home and auto they're just fine. Never a problem in years of use.

[usonian]

13. I've had two chainsaws that were unsatisfactory.

And they use the usual Oregon parts. Must be the construction. I reluctantly got a 10 inch pole chain saw (uses the 40 volt batteries instead of the little 18 volt ones). Crossing my fingers.

I have a 12 inch DeWalt chain saw (not pole) which uses two big hand knobs instead of the usual allen wrench knuckle busters. You know, the kind that uses bolt heads 1/64 or so larger than the other. Makes no sense, but what the heck. Only consolation is that they are next to each other in a folding allen wrench set.

With the DeWalt, one big knob opens the housing, and the other adjusts the chain tension. The housing opener even has a click-click torque limiter. I can get a chain back on track (which is rarely needed) without tools in a few minutes.

[IcyPeas]

19. Yeah, peace of mind is good. I get unnerved when low tire pressure light goes on.

[bucolic_frolic]

6. i bought an iFanze at Walmart.com in December

Holiday special, 75% off, about $15. It pumps fast but the gauge is not as accurate as my previous one. I figure that's why it's 75% off. But now that I know 30 is really 35 pounds I can adjust.

This one has a direct screw-on brass nozzle. I much prefer toggle with rubber closure, but that might not be as durable. Electric cord should be 10' or more.

The $12 emergency ones sometimes have shorter cords. I doubt $100 models improve durability. When the piston dries out and they seize, it's from sitting in a hot car for 20 years.

[IcyPeas]

20. Cant beat $15. They all seen reasonably priced. Thank you

[3Hotdogs]

7. I have a bag in my truck. In it --- 18" breaker bar, full set of different size lug sockets and a set of tire plugs.

I also have an electric jack and electric air pump. I paid $30 somethin' for the inflater.

I got this stuff because I drive 50k miles a year. Also, I can help others while they are on the side of the road. Last summer, there was a guy and his wife, probably mid 70's, driving a beater, probably also 70's (1970's). They were on rt 78 and temperature was in the 90's.

I got 'em back on the road in about 1/2 hour.

[IcyPeas]

21. That was very very nice of you. They must've been so thankful for the help.

especially with the temperature being in the 90s. Not fun to be stuck on a hot road.

[gab13by13]

8. 10 years ago I bought a Slime

Here is the thing for a flat tire. I bought the one that goes up to 100 PSI, why, because buying a cheaper one takes forever to inflate a flat tire. The slime 100 pound psi Model # 8023559 is the one I have.

Plugs into your car's cigarette lighter, has a quick connect fitting that just snaps over your tire's valve stem, has a light if you need it at night. $47.00 was the price I saw, but maybe can get it cheaper from a different seller.

As far as how often you will use it. I have used mine on my wheelbarrow tire, bicycle tires, car tires.

Just turn on the car key, do not start the car, hook it up, press the button and watch the gage.

Even with this 100# inflater it will take 15 minutes to inflate a flat tire, their ad claims 10, maybe so.

[IcyPeas]

22. Just looked up Slime. I've never heard of this brand.

I watched a video too and laughed when they said one model has cup holders and a bottle opener. I guess if you're camping or something that could come in handy.

They use the phone adaptor plug now instead of the old cigarette lighter plug.

Thank you. I appreciate your response.

[Old Crank]

29. Funny, the only Slime I know is for bike tires

It is a plugging agent, bright green, for holes in bike tire. they get sealed with little or no air loss.
It doesn't work for catestrophic failures. tired that.

[TwilightZone]

11. We have a couple of these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B4DTNN2Y/

It's quick, easy, relatively compact, and USB-chargeable or can plug into a 12V socket.

Looks like they have a newer one that can be used as a power bank.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BR53WBCN/

They go on sale pretty often so watch for sales or coupons.

[IcyPeas]

23. Interesting that it can be used as a powerbank too.

I will check this brand out too.

Maybe there'll be a sale for Valentines day.. I mean who wouldn't want to get a tire inflator for Valentines day.

[mockmonkey]

24. That reminds me of a joke from the late Robert Schimmel

On seeing an ad for ”Inflatable love dolls: `She never has a headache.`

No, but you do after blowing her up.”

[Mopar151]

26. I have an older Coleman with an air mattress inflater

Mrs Mopar bought it for us to camp at the races (NEHA hillclimbs) and blow up the porous bias ply slicks on the 'ol hot rod. After a tip from a smarter friend, I put a "power port" in the dash of the race car, and inset a plastic shoe box in an interior panel to pack the Puff master up! It also works as a "yard blower" for small areas......

[SarahD]

27. You could get a bicycle pump.

A good one is the Joe Blow at about 45 dollars. Not much can go wrong with it and you can use it for bike tires.