Getting Air Woes

easyrider · 29 May 2017 at 19:02

Drove 400 miles today in the MX5 so thought I would take check the pressures before I went as the rear looked a bit low.

Tesco, This morning. Three in a queue waiting for Air

I thought I would nip to Tesco get some bits and then return hopefully to a free Air compressor.

Nope a Volvo and Caravan waiting...I ran some errands and thought I would check Tesco again before properly setting off. Drives around the Tesco Garage four-court to an OAP struggling to make sense of the coins in his pocket

trying to suss out the air compressor.

At this fourth attempt to check my tyre pressures I thought I would set off and check them in the village 7 miles away on the way to the motorway.

Pulled into the garage and Bingo a free air compressor. I pulled up only to be driven at by a Bloke and his missus shouting they had been waiting. :mad:

I apologised and said I didn't see them waiting so I waited. It took him ages, and his missus decided to clean the car out while he was at it.... :mad:

Anyway after waiting an age I finally got to check my pressures on the Sixth attempt.

You couldn't script it. I sat for a while to calm down and ordered Ring RAC635 12V Preset Digital Tyre Inflator with Case, Adaptor Set and LED Light from the amazon app on prime. Never again will I faff with the public again.

Rant Over

Ryan-3 · 29 May 2017 at 19:05

This is why I have one in the car boot, as I can never be bothered to wait or pay 50p a time. It's also handy to keep all the little accessories you get. (e.g. re-inflate a football, etc..)

sovietspybob · 29 May 2017 at 19:29

Yep this is exactly why i always have my own foot pump in the car

adolf hamster · 29 May 2017 at 19:59

and this is why I go to my mate's shed to use his air compressor, and occasionally when the exhaust needs welded back on....

although admittedly the current car doesn't have any exhaust problems

JBuk · 29 May 2017 at 20:01

I go to my local sainsbury, it's free and rarely have to wait

Tom_ed1987 · 29 May 2017 at 20:05

Never understood why those machines are so popular. Surely everyone has even a basic footpump somewhere??

Clarkey · 29 May 2017 at 20:44

JBuk said:
I go to my local sainsbury, it's free and rarely have to wait

This. It is frequently out of order though :/

Tee Hee Johnson · 29 May 2017 at 20:48

A wee digital pressure check is a couple of quid, this whole 'worked up' situation could be avoided

Hades · 29 May 2017 at 20:48

And this is why I too have my own foot pump in the garage.

easyrider · 29 May 2017 at 21:02

Shipped

MichaelAwkward · 29 May 2017 at 21:16

I got one of those free with my Mazda. Think they all come with them nowadays.

Doesn't yours have the tyre repair kit? Should include a compressor and bottle of gunk.

Hyburnate · 29 May 2017 at 21:25

I'm terrible, I barely ever check mine. In fact, I tried once, couldn't get the dust cap off and gave up

Deleted member 651465 · 29 May 2017 at 21:29

Funnily enough, I went to the garage to get air. Same as you, it was full so I kept going back relentlessly until it was free.

Final time I got there, this guy in an MX5 tried to jump the queue. Got him back though, as we emptied the car of all its contents whilst he waited

easyrider · 29 May 2017 at 21:35

MichaelAwkward said:
I got one of those free with my Mazda. Think they all come with them nowadays.

Doesn't yours have the tyre repair kit? Should include a compressor and bottle of gunk.

Yeah I have that in the boot but was going to keep it for emergencies.

I bought the Ring one for regular use at home. I'll leave the one in the boot for if and when its needed.

I'll use the ring for my Motorbike and Mountain bikes as well...

MichaelAwkward · 29 May 2017 at 21:37

Surely you could have just used that today then?

Bizarro

Armageus · 29 May 2017 at 21:38

EVH said:
Funnily enough, I went to the garage to get air. Same as you, it was full so I kept going back relentlessly until it was free.

Final time I got there, this guy in an MX5 tried to jump the queue. Got him back though, as we emptied the car of all its contents whilst he waited

easyrider · 29 May 2017 at 21:42

MichaelAwkward said:
Surely you could have just used that today then?

Bizarro

I only remembered It was there when I was picking my daughter up and putting her bags in and saw it in the boot 200 miles later!

TBH the gauge on it is very basic and looks like its for emergencies only. Not regular use.

MichaelAwkward · 29 May 2017 at 21:47

I disagree.

It's actually much better constructed than any of the Ring ones I've ever used IMO. The thickness/quality of the tube and screw in connector for the air are much more durable, using high grade rubber and a fully brass connector. It's all plastic on the Ring ones.

I prefer an analogue gauge so I gave away my old Ring one since it didn't make sense to carry two.

Demon · 29 May 2017 at 22:04

Good shout on the Ring air compressor, they usually come out quite well in autoexpress tests. I've got a Michelin one and the Ring one, both seem pretty accurate, matching with 1 psi of the onboard TPMS sensors on the wifes new car. Even though my M3 has the BMW compressor I still carry a more modern digital one in the car for convenience.

easyrider · 29 May 2017 at 22:23

MichaelAwkward said:
I disagree.

It's actually much better constructed than any of the Ring ones I've ever used IMO. The thickness/quality of the tube and screw in connector for the air are much more durable, using high grade rubber and a fully brass connector. It's all plastic on the Ring ones.

I prefer an analogue gauge so I gave away my old Ring one since it didn't make sense to carry two.

I'll just keep the ring in the stable block and use it at home. Car Motorbike, Mountain Bikes etc..

I'll leave the OEM in the boot.

Its 27 quid. If the Ring is pants it goes back simples.

Getting Air Woes

Deleted member 651465

Deleted member 651465