Using an air compressor

motdaugrnds · #1 01/07/15, 03:20 AM

I have a portable machine that airs up low tires and I think it is called an air compressor. I've never used it; so I would appreciate some information as to how to use it.

I have my "van" (1988 GMC extended) tires as well as the one tire on my wheel barrow that might become low. (I do have a "pressure gage" to stick on the little thingy one puts air thru; yet I don't know how to use that either.) Can anyone help me understand what I need to do should I find one of my tires needs too much air to get me to the nearest station? (Actually I don't even know if there are places to air tires up anymore; and if so, I wouldn't know how to use that either. I would only hope some attendant there would know how and be willing to show me.)

M5farm · #2 01/07/15, 07:42 AM

First of all you will need to find recommended air pressure for your tires , it will be on the tire. The Valve stem is where the air goes if its low there should be a little screw off cap that you will remove, To check the air make sure the stem that slides in and out of the bottom of the gauge is pushed in. place the female end of the gauge on the valve stem squarely apply pressure. you then remove it and look at the numbers on the piece sticking out to determine what the pressure is. If air is needed you use the air compressor to put air in the valve stem. put a little in and then check it. most convenient store have a vacuum and air station now days their air chucks have a built in pressure gauge.

Bret · #3 01/07/15, 07:43 AM

With the compressor turned on and the tank containing compressed air, press the air chuck firmly on the tire valve stem. The chuck may look like this.

Or, it may be smaller on the end of a rubber hose. Use the pressure gauge the same way. You may see the tire pressure molded into the tire sidewall or on the little sticker inside your driver side door.

If you are not sure how to use the pressure gauge, you can just add enough air to raise the vehicle so the tire looks better until you get to town. It may take about 24 lbs. per tire.

Best wishes.

M5farm · #4 01/07/15, 07:46 AM

Knowing the type of air compressor would be helpful to explain how to use it. if it has a tank on it should pump up to approx. 100 lbs and switch off. all you have to do to put air in a tire is unroll the hose and put the brass end(chuck) on the valve stem squarely you should not hear air escaping around the stem and should hear it going into the tire.

fordy · #5 01/07/15, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motdaugrnds

I have a portable machine that airs up low tires and I think it is called an air compressor. I've never used it; so I would appreciate some information as to how to use it.

I have my "van" (1988 GMC extended) tires as well as the one tire on my wheel barrow that might become low. (I do have a "pressure gage" to stick on the little thingy one puts air thru; yet I don't know how to use that either.) Can anyone help me understand what I need to do should I find one of my tires needs too much air to get me to the nearest station? (Actually I don't even know if there are places to air tires up anymore; and if so, I wouldn't know how to use that either. I would only hope some attendant there would know how and be willing to show me.)

.............1)I'll assume that a "portable" air compressor is one that runs off of 12 volts DC , and connects to a cigarette lighter or to your vehicle battery
..............2)Your portable air compressor(that you should use at your home) should beable to air up your tire , to 35 or 40 psi with NO trouble ! While , at home , you should use an air compressor that runs off of 120 volts AC house voltage . You can purchase a 'Locking' attachment that locks onto the valve stem while the compressor is running............this keeps you from having to push down on the air outlet that fits the valve stem on your tires .
................3)The ONLY thing that would prevent your air compressor from refilling your tire is IF , it has a hole in it where air is escaping . Then you should call AAA to come fix your flat .
................4)In fact , I would recommend that you purchase a Membership in Triple AAA..........so you can call them and let them fix your problem . , fordy

Nimrod · #6 01/07/15, 10:34 AM

Best explained with a video if you can download it.

The PSI rating on the tire is the maximum for that tire. Check on the sticker on the car for the tire inflation for that vehicle. Mine is on the door post of the drivers door.

The tire pressure is for a cold tire so check it after the the car has been sitting for an hour or more. Driving warms up the tire. If you have to go to the gas station to fill your tires then do it on your way home so you don't have to drive far before parking. Overfill the tires by a few pounds, drive home, and let the car sit for an hour. Check the pressure and let out enough air so the pressure is correct.

The air hose at the gas station may or may not have a pressure gauge built in. If not, just use your pressure gauge to check the pressure in the tire. Make sure that you line up the gauge properly and push down hard so there is no air leaking out or you won't get an accurate reading. Be sure and check the pressure in the spare if you have a full size one.

If your compressor is one that runs on 12 volt from your cigarette lighter then use it only for emergencies. The ones I have had only seem to fill up the tire a couple of times before they fail. I keep one in the truck. You can fill up a flat enough to get you to a place that can fix and avoid a charge for towing.

You should have a little compressor at home for inflating tires. I have one like this.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Porter-Ca...2003/203254365

It also works well for air nailers. You need a much bigger one if you plan on doing sandblasting or spray painting.

motdaugrnds · #7 01/08/15, 04:39 AM

Thank you all so much for the information (and that video, which helped me alot).

The air compressure I have does plug into an electrical circuit (not the lighter in the van). Since it is now in the middle of the night (and we are having some of that artic blast), I will not run out to find out what brand it is. However, with the information you all have provided, I now understand how to check the air in my tires, know how much the tires require and put air in. Tomorrow I will call Tripple AAA and find out what they offer; however, I suspect that is an "insurance" company that will require my switching my car insurance from what I now have (Farm Bureau) to theirs. If so, I'll find out what the difference will be in premiums. (My van is a l988 which means "full coverage" is foolish as it only has an evaluative price of $100...yes one hundred. This probably means, even if I did switch my insurance over to Triple AAA, I would not be entitled to their coming out to air my tire because I would, still, only be carrying "liability" and not "full coverage".)

nosqrls · #8 01/08/15, 09:33 PM

Check the spare while at it. It sucks to find out the spare is flat when you need it.

fordy · #9 01/08/15, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motdaugrnds

Thank you all so much for the information (and that video, which helped me alot).

The air compressure I have does plug into an electrical circuit (not the lighter in the van). Since it is now in the middle of the night (and we are having some of that artic blast), I will not run out to find out what brand it is. However, with the information you all have provided, I now understand how to check the air in my tires, know how much the tires require and put air in. Tomorrow I will call Tripple AAA and find out what they offer; however, I suspect that is an "insurance" company that will require my switching my car insurance from what I now have (Farm Bureau) to theirs. If so, I'll find out what the difference will be in premiums. (My van is a l988 which means "full coverage" is foolish as it only has an evaluative price of $100...yes one hundred. This probably means, even if I did switch my insurance over to Triple AAA, I would not be entitled to their coming out to air my tire because I would, still, only be carrying "liability" and not "full coverage".)

..................You're confusing Triple A Auto insurance , with Triple A Rescue service .............two completely different situations !!!!! I was recommending Triple A Rescue Service...........so , IF you have a flat,etc. you could call them to come fix a flat or start your vehicle !

**GREENCOUNTYPETE** · #10 01/09/15, 12:27 PM

the AAA auto service is helpful and gets you discounts at many hotels

AAA rescue / auto service started as AAA automobile club if I recall properly and it has agreements with tow trucks all over the country they will tow you to the nearest service station or change a flat or give you a jump , bring fuel if you ran dry road side

and AAA covers any passenger car you are in when stranded , rentals , out with a friend and they have a flat , there are probably limits to the number of times you can use it , but they have vetted the contractors they use for towing and road side service you that you just call the 800 number and they look through their database of providers an find you one near by that they have worked with before and dispatch them to you , they call and verify you got help and that help was good

I had my mom out for lunch and my battery went dead she called the number on her card and they cam and jumped my Van , I had a cell go bad in the battery and replaced it later that day

they also provide maps and driving directions for trips your planning , I know with the internet not as much of a service as it once was but helpful

discounts at hotels is another big reason to have the membership generally take 10-30% of a room

it is worth pricing out and having for many , I no longer have it as my auto insurance company has similar road side assistance and I rarely stay at hotels , if I do it is usually on a trip with my parents or in laws who have AAA

motdaugrnds · #11 01/09/15, 02:04 PM

Ok, let me see if I am understanding you all correctly.

There is a Triple AAA "auto service" that is different from any regular insurance company. You have to be a member to get this service's service; so I would need to find them in my phone directory and call to find out what that membership fee is. Then, should I ever get stuck out on the road, I could call this Triple AAA "auto service" and they would send whatever help I needed. Then of course I would need to pay the helper they send whatever is charged for that service; but at least I would have the help. Is this all correct?

fordy · #12 01/09/15, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motdaugrnds

Ok, let me see if I am understanding you all correctly.

There is a Triple AAA "auto service" that is different from any regular insurance company. You have to be a member to get this service's service; so I would need to find them in my phone directory and call to find out what that membership fee is. Then, should I ever get stuck out on the road, I could call this Triple AAA "auto service" and they would send whatever help I needed. Then of course I would need to pay the helper they send whatever is charged for that service; but at least I would have the help. Is this all correct?

................NO , the yearly membership fee is around $105 ! You pay the membership fee ONCE a year..........and they send a wrecker out to help you when you need help ! You , DONOT , have to pay a service fee everytime they respond to your situation .
................I suppose there is some limit on the number of times they will help you for NO charge.........but........you can discuss this issue with them before , you spend your money . , fordy

ninny · #13 01/10/15, 08:01 AM

You can go online to find different companies that offer emergency roadside services. There are others than just AAA. You might check your existing auto insurance policy to see if you already have emergency roadside service, some insurance policies offer roadside service and yours may have it. If it's not already included in your existing policy, check with your agent to see if it's offered, it may be cheaper than another company being as you are already a customer.

.