Most gas stations provide compressed air for free? Whose Tardis are you flyin’, chump? 'Cause that damn sure ain’t been true in no part of Texas I ever been through in the past 40 years. (In the ‘70s, yeah, it was like that. But not for a long time.) And the busted-ass machines that used to steal a quarter before you found out that the hose leaked? They’re $2.00 now. For maybe enough air to fill the donut spare on a PT Cruiser. Maybe. (Oh, and the cashier inside the joint ain’t gonna sell you no quarters, you bring your own or keep walkin’.)
Buy the damn compressor and keep its battery charged. You’re going to need it sooner or later. OBTW, the plug-into-the-lighter-socket compressors can blow a fuse before they finish filling a tire, so if you think you’re going to get ahead of the game and use one of those, just be ready with spare fuses, too. And don’t even try putting in a heavier one, that’s a sure way to let the smoke out of the car’s wiring, and then you are completely effed.
I bought a similar item at Costco a few years ago and going from a regular ol’ inflator (I think it had a sealed-lead-acid battery in it which made it very heavy, but would go a loooong time between charges) to a lightweight inflator which allows me to set the target pressure and walk away was an absolute gamechanger (and I never knew how much summer/winter temps impacted cold tire pressure until we got vehicles with TPMS features).
I can’t speak to the quality/capacity of this one, but mine (it’s made by Fanttik) will use nearly all of its runtime topping off my huge truck tires. (Far less so when it’s time to top off my spouse’s XUV tires.)
I also saw this thing https://www.amazon.com/dp/B099SBMBJV recommended and even though it was pricey for a short length of hose with a quick-connect end, it + my Fanttik inflator make airing up my tires a breeze vs. a PITA chore.
Specs
Product: Zuzee Tire Inflator Portable Air Compressor with Digital Pressure Gauge
Model: Z1
Condition: New
What’s Included?
Price Comparison
$56.65 at Amazon
Warranty
90 days
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Dec 22 - Friday, Dec 26
I am really pumped up about this deal!!
I knew we were suffering from inflation!
Most gas stations provide compressed air for free? Whose Tardis are you flyin’, chump? 'Cause that damn sure ain’t been true in no part of Texas I ever been through in the past 40 years. (In the ‘70s, yeah, it was like that. But not for a long time.) And the busted-ass machines that used to steal a quarter before you found out that the hose leaked? They’re $2.00 now. For maybe enough air to fill the donut spare on a PT Cruiser. Maybe. (Oh, and the cashier inside the joint ain’t gonna sell you no quarters, you bring your own or keep walkin’.)
Buy the damn compressor and keep its battery charged. You’re going to need it sooner or later. OBTW, the plug-into-the-lighter-socket compressors can blow a fuse before they finish filling a tire, so if you think you’re going to get ahead of the game and use one of those, just be ready with spare fuses, too. And don’t even try putting in a heavier one, that’s a sure way to let the smoke out of the car’s wiring, and then you are completely effed.
@werehatrack
/showme a tough bird telling the cow who ate the cabbage
@werehatrack Around here we have free air at WaWa stations and the compressors usually work with a pretty accurate gauge.
I also have the bonus of free air at my condo but I have to supply my own gauge.
@werehatrack @yakkoTDI
Costco also has an unattended free air station for customers.
ProTip: They don’t check.
Sam’s Clubs are probably the same, but you might need to ask one of the mechanics if it isn’t outside.
@werehatrack can’t speak for Texas (and kinda wouldn’t want to), but it’s a legal requirement in both NY and CA.
/youtube David bowie tire pressure
@phendrick uh, don’t think David B sanctioned that one. I’ll Try again,
@phendrick
/youtube David Bowie, under pressure
@phendrick
I picked up a craftsman brand unit for the same price last month. looks like it’s 6$ more today https://a.co/d/iUcPth1
I bought a similar item at Costco a few years ago and going from a regular ol’ inflator (I think it had a sealed-lead-acid battery in it which made it very heavy, but would go a loooong time between charges) to a lightweight inflator which allows me to set the target pressure and walk away was an absolute gamechanger (and I never knew how much summer/winter temps impacted cold tire pressure until we got vehicles with TPMS features).
I can’t speak to the quality/capacity of this one, but mine (it’s made by Fanttik) will use nearly all of its runtime topping off my huge truck tires. (Far less so when it’s time to top off my spouse’s XUV tires.)
I also saw this thing https://www.amazon.com/dp/B099SBMBJV recommended and even though it was pricey for a short length of hose with a quick-connect end, it + my Fanttik inflator make airing up my tires a breeze vs. a PITA chore.