Using tyre air pumps at petrol stations

ripplyuk

I know that the tyres should be cold before topping them up with air which would mean not driving anywhere first so is it damaging to drive to a petrol station to use the air pump? I know lots of people who do and I'm wondering if it really makes much difference.

The petrol station is about 30 mins drive from my house. Is there a certain way I could adjust for the tyres not being cold eg: slightly over or under the recommended psi?

DUTR

What about a 12v unit, you can get them for under 10gbp.

Avoriaz

Slightly over is the way to go as the pressure increases as the tyres heat up.

Why not buy a manual foot pump, a 12 volt electric pump or a bicycle track pump and do it at home with cold tyres.

ripplyuk

I do have my own small compressor that I've been using up until now. I think it's starting to go faulty as it inflates to a different psi than I've set it to. It cost me around £50 and I don't want to spend that sort of money on another one. Could anyone recommend a cheap but reliable one?

So many people drive to the air pump at a petrol station and they don't seem to have major problems from it. It would be handy to get petrol/do the tyres at the same time. My compressor has to be charged for 12 hours before and after using it and it's always been a bit of a hassle.

maninthestreet

Buy a foot pump, and get a decent, accurate pressure gauge.

gabitzul

Amazon sell a Ring one which I got for under £8 a few weeks ago. Very good.

Ebe_Scrooge

Another vote for a foot pump. £4.99 from Argos, I've had one for years, can't fault it. I keep it in the boot, so if I'm ever in the situation where I need to use the spare, and it needs a top-up, no problem. Combine that with a pencil-type pressure gauge for accuracy, about 2 or 3 quid, Bob's your uncle.

Although, to be honest, a couple of PSI out either way is not going to matter for most ordinary cars. If the tyres are significantly under or over inflated then it's a problem ( and potentially dangerous ), but within reason I wouldn't get too hung up on it.

ripplyuk

The foot pumps are certainly cheap. Is it as easy to read as a digital one? Are they difficult to actually pump? I'm not overly heavy and don't want to look ridiculous trying to do it!

Alternatively, my car manual recommends 29psi for front and 26psi for the back, assuming I've no passengers so I was thinking if I filled them to 31 and 28 at the petrol station, would that be enough to compensate for them being warm?

Bollotom

ripplyuk wrote: »

The foot pumps are certainly cheap. Is it as easy to read as a digital one? Are they difficult to actually pump? I'm not overly heavy and don't want to look ridiculous trying to do it!

Alternatively, my car manual recommends 29psi for front and 26psi for the back, assuming I've no passengers so I was thinking if I filled them to 31 and 28 at the petrol station, would that be enough to compensate for them being warm?

That would mean you are driving not to manufacturers' spec and at times you could be driving with over-inflated tyres. I'm with the others. Footpump and pressure gauge. :cool:

Ebe_Scrooge

They're not difficult to pump - you don't need to be Arnie to use them ! Especially the single-barrelled types. And the gauge is easy enough to read.

The other advantage of having one handy, rather than having to go to the garage, is that you can also use it on bikes, scooters, footballs, rugby balls and other assorted paraphernalia that is part and parcel of hosting little people in the household

onomatopoeia99

Buy a decent pressure gauge rather than relying on one attached to a pump. They only cost a tenner or so and you can continue to use your compressor.

I find it as well to check the pressure that a petrol station tyre pump says against my own gauge anyway, as they ae not always accurate.