Tesco - Petrol Stations - Cost of Air

bod1467

I have a manual gauge (I don't trust pressure indicators on pumps) kept in the car, and an electric compressor that I keep in the car (powered from the utility socket - formerly ciggie lighter socket). I also have a foot pump at home which I sometimes use instead.

I can't remember the last time I used a forecourt air compressor.

Herzlos

Until recently on this forum, I had no idea people used forecourt air compressors for anything other than an emergency.

Norman_Castle

Herzlos wrote: »

Until recently on this forum, I had no idea people used forecourt air compressors for anything other than an emergency.

I use them if they are free. Normally happy with a foot pump. With old corroded alloys its regular exercise.

thescouselander

Yeah, I use the petrol forecourt air compressors to - out of pure laziness as I can't be bothered to do it manually.

I do double check the pressure with my own gauge though.

vikingaero

I honestly cannot fathom drivers who don't own a foot pump. Often if you tyre needs inflation then some damage can already occur before you get to a petrol station. Seriously a decent double barrel footpump costs £5.99/£6.99 when Aldi or Lidl have Motoring offers.

If you're on MSE then surely you care about your safety and not spending money running damaged tyres and having underinflated tyres costing you money?

bigadaj

A fair chunk of the population, probably the majority and possibly the vast majority, will barely check tyres, as well as oil and water, between annual services.

Some won't even get the annual services.

AdrianC

vikingaero wrote: »

I honestly cannot fathom drivers who don't own a foot pump. Often if you tyre needs inflation then some damage can already occur before you get to a petrol station. Seriously a decent double barrel footpump costs £5.99/£6.99 when Aldi or Lidl have Motoring offers.

If you're on MSE then surely you care about your safety and not spending money running damaged tyres and having underinflated tyres costing you money?

<waves> I don't own a footpump. I do own a track pump AND a proper-sized compressor, though...

neilmcl

vikingaero wrote: »

I honestly cannot fathom drivers who don't own a foot pump. Often if you tyre needs inflation then some damage can already occur before you get to a petrol station. Seriously a decent double barrel footpump costs £5.99/£6.99 when Aldi or Lidl have Motoring offers.

If you're on MSE then surely you care about your safety and not spending money running damaged tyres and having underinflated tyres costing you money?

Agree, having a backup such as a foot pump is a good idea but I'd imagine the majority of drivers who regularly check their tyres are only going to be a few psi out and certainly not enough to cause any damage.

20aday

Having worked for Tesco at a petrol filling station >10 years ago I know more often that not our on-site machine was "out of order" because of people abusing it.

In fact my previous job at a family owned (not mine) forecourt site have been charging 50p for four minutes since October 2009.

Having said that it was leased from a company (Airserv?) who set the prices.

iolanthe07

I spoke to a forecourt attendant where charges had just been introduced (10p at the time IIRC). He told me that their air machine had been vandalised an average of once every ten days over a year. No wonder they charge, and 50p is cheap enough.