Rechargeable Tyre Pump

MobileSaver

Grey_Critic said:

roddydogs said:

Sainsburys now charge 30p, used to be free.

Does nobody have a tyre pressure gauge these days?

I'm surprised people still need them in this day and age; for at least the last 20 years my cars have had integrated TPMS (Tyre Pressure Management Systems) that show the individual tyre pressures on the dashboard display...

Herzlos

MobileSaver said:

Grey_Critic said:

roddydogs said:

Sainsburys now charge 30p, used to be free.

Does nobody have a tyre pressure gauge these days?

I'm surprised people still need them in this day and age; for at least the last 20 years my cars have had integrated TPMS (Tyre Pressure Management Systems) that show the individual tyre pressures on the dashboard display...

Most cars have a tyre pressure warning system that makes use of the ABS sensor to detect if a tyre has changed size relative to the others. So it'll catch a single fast-ish puncture but it won't do anything if they all just gradually lose some air over time.

Jenni_D

Like @MobileSaver, my previous and my current car (had) have individual tyre pressure readings which show on the dash rather than an generic tyre pressure warning. How accurate those readings are I've no idea, but when I inflate the tyres using a compressor with a pressure setting (so it automatically cuts out) then the readings seem consistent.

Ditzy_Mitzy

I bought a snazzy mini-compressor from Halfords a little while ago and use it all the time as it doubles as a pressure gauge with a digital display.  The unit plugs into the cigarette lighter, so no mucking about with batteries; I tend to run the engine whilst using it to top up the tyres, just to avoid too much strain on the car battery.  Thoroughly recommended, if a little on the expensive side; you'll save money by having correctly inflated tyres, however. 

victor2

I've never had a car with individual tyre pressure indication - I just glance at all 4 wheels and you can see if one or more needs topping up. Current car does have a general tyre pressure alert. It's only come on once, and then all the pressures were fine. Had to reset the thing. It hasn't come on again!

Herzlos

You need more than a visual glance, because a tyre isn't likely to noticably sag unless it's hugely under pressured.
You may spot if it's dropped from 35 to 20psi visually, but there's no way you'd notice if it was 32psi.

The trucker trick is to hit the tyre with something solid and see if one of them sounds different, but they are usually dealing with pressures high enough to feel solid to most prodding.

facade

Herzlos said:

The trucker trick is to hit the tyre with something solid and see if one of them sounds different, but they are usually dealing with pressures high enough to feel solid to most prodding.

Reading this has made me wonder if the reason I'm getting a swollen painful ankle now is because of a lifetime spent kicking tyres to see if one is soft. (seriously)

Herzlos

facade said:

Herzlos said:

The trucker trick is to hit the tyre with something solid and see if one of them sounds different, but they are usually dealing with pressures high enough to feel solid to most prodding.

Reading this has made me wonder if the reason I'm getting a swollen painful ankle now is because of a lifetime spent kicking tyres to see if one is soft. (seriously)

I think the recommended tool is a tire wrench, but I tend to just kick them too out of laziness.

Ectophile

victor2 said:

I've never had a car with individual tyre pressure indication - I just glance at all 4 wheels and you can see if one or more needs topping up. Current car does have a general tyre pressure alert. It's only come on once, and then all the pressures were fine. Had to reset the thing. It hasn't come on again!

That doesn't work if you park with the front wheels at an angle.  One of the wheels will always look flat, even if it isn't.

(My driveway slopes, and I don't want the car rolling into the road if the handbrake slips.  So I angle the steering so that it will roll onto the lawn instead.)

Grey_Critic

On the check lists I supply to clients for company vehicles they require - Daily checks of levels, glass and lights.

Tyres – wear and pressure (including spare) to be checked weekly.

If I were to suggest that they be supplied with a Rechargeable Tyre Pump I know what the response would be. Personally I think the idea of such things is just **Boys Toys**