How To Use An Air Compressor For Tires – Complete Guide
If you own a vehicle then you must have experienced a flat tire at least once. It can be quite annoying if you’re not near a service station. Even if your tire isn’t exactly flat, even a punctured tire can be quite dangerous and you need to handle it immediately.
At this point, owning an air compressor for your tires seems like a blessing. However, the most important question at this point is: how to use an air compressor for tires? If this is the question on your mind then we can surely help you with that. Continue to read to learn how you can fill up tires using air compressors.
Table of Contents
Why is it better to maintain your tires on your own?
Maintaining your tires on your own saves you the time, effort, and money that goes into hiring someone else to do it for you. This makes buying a good air compressor, a great investment for you. Well-maintained tires not only make the ride a lot safer but also give you better control over the vehicle. The ride will be much smoother and you will truly enjoy it.
Properly inflated tires provide better traction that helps make the ride much safer. On the other hand, under-inflated or over-inflated tires have either too much or very less contact with the road which makes the ride unstable and may even result in accidents.
Type of air compressor that you need
For filling up tires, it is better to go for a portable air compressor. You can invest in an electric air compressor because they work with a battery so you won’t need to keep them attached to a power source during operation. They can easily charge on the cigarette port of the vehicle.
A 35 PSI air compressor might be enough for smaller vehicles but if you are using bigger vehicles then it would be better to go for a 90 PSI air compressor. Just pick an air compressor that fulfills your pressure requirements and also falls within your budget.
Tools you will need
In order to efficiently and safely fill up your tires, you need to have the right tools. This is the first and most important step when it comes to filling up tires. Following are the tools that you will need:
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Tire chuck
It is used to attach the tire’s valve system with the air compressor.
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Regulator
It helps regulate the air that is coming from the air compressor. This allows you to accurately achieve the exact air pressure required by the tires.
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Pressure gauge
A gauge helps ensure that the air pressure of the tire is exactly where it should be. This means that you will not end up overfilling or underfilling the tires.
Steps to follow
Follow these few simple steps to fill up your tires quickly and easily.
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Check tire pressure
Begin by checking your tire pressure using the pressure gauge. This helps you understand how much you’ll need to fill them. Make sure the tires have cooled down before you begin filling them because it is not safe to work with hot tires.
For car tires, the required pressure ranges from 32-35 PSI whereas it is about 100 PSI for trucks and other construction vehicles. You can also consult your vehicle manual for the exact value.
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Prepare the air compressor for use
Next, you need to prepare your equipment for use. Begin by selecting a power outlet and plug n the air compressor into it. Make sure that the outlet can handle even high voltage devices. In order to start the motor, switch on the air compressor. After that, attach an air hose directly to the air compressor to begin using it.
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Begin inflating
Now comes the step which requires the maximum amount of precision. The stem cap is on top of the tire. You need to take it off and store it in a safe place so that you can put it back on later. To start filling, attach the air hose directly to the valve. You will hear a hissing sound as soon as you turn on the air compressor. Minimize this hissing sound by pressing down on the air hose. Keep filling the tires until the right level is achieved on the pressure gauge.
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Finish the job
Once you have reached the desired pressure level, seal off everything tightly. Remove the air hose from the air compressor and put the stem cap back on.
Conclusion
If you follow the above steps properly, you will be able to use an air compressor for tires with absolute ease. However, make sure you take care of all the safety precautions. Make sure you are wearing safety goggles and gloves when doing this procedure. High air pressure can cause debris to go into your eyes and sometimes the air compressor might get really hot. Safety precautions help prevent accidents. If you still have questions, you can reach out to us and we would love to answer them. Good luck!
FAQ’s
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What PSI should I set my air compressor for tires?
Answer: This depends on the vehicle that you own. If you’re working with car tires then 30-35 PSI would be enough. However, if you are working with trucks then you would have to go as high as 100 PSI.
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How long does it take to fill a tire with an air compressor?
Answer: Filling up a tire is not a very lengthy process if you’re doing it with an air compressor. Topping off filled tires take a few seconds while inflated fully deflated tires might take a few minutes.
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Does the air compressor drain battery?
Answer: An air compressor does use your car battery to charge so yes it will drain your battery if you charge it too often.
