Our local Costco just set up 4 parking spots outside the tire center with automatic pumps (nitrogen) and extended hoses where you can DIY. (No membership card required).

I think they finally realized that all the cars pulling up to the tire changing bays to have the workers stop installing tires to check tire pressure was costing them in lost production time. Of course, they'll still do it for those that aren't able to do it themselves.

Guys don't forget to check pressure in the spare too. I check mine once a year and usually need to add a bit. If you go for years w/o checking it'll likely be too low to be safely used, especially the mini spares.

quote:

Originally posted by Fly-Sig:

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

Every Discount Tire location that I have seen, has a drive-through lane where one of the service guys / gals comes out and inflates your tires at no cost.

They always get the pressure wrong. Especially in winter tires for some reason.

I just tell them what pressure I want, and they set the pump to that pressure.

I leave the dash display set to show the tire pressure. No surprises that way.
And the two Costco stores I’m familiar with both have multiple self-serve inflation stations that use the super deluxe pure nitrogen™️, and have the gizmo you set your desired tire pressure on, and the pump either fills or deflates your tire to reach that set point. It’s muy nice.

Around the first of each month, my wife and I do safety checks on the vehicles. Tire pressure, lights, turn signal, brake lights, wiper blades. It is beneficial that both vehicles have TPS that shows individual wheels as well.

I just returned from a 1000 mile trip and noticed that the TPMS in the truck showed the tires as low—-balanced, but low. I had just aired them up a week before the trip. Of course in the intervening days a Canadian cold air mass came south and temps fell dramatically. PASig’s post reminded me to get out in the garage and fire up the air compressor. There’s a corollary to the old maxim, “If you have two watches, you never know what time it is.” That would be: “If you have a digital tire gauge, a pencil tire gauge, and a TPMS, you never know what pressure your tires are at. I go by my digital gauge, but the other two both read lower.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

quote:

Originally posted by pedropcola:

searching for a gas station with an operable pump or having quarters.

Every Discount Tire location that I have seen, has a drive-through lane where one of the service guys / gals comes out and inflates your tires at no cost. I think they use a 78% Nitrogen blend.

I have been told, but have not confirmed, that Costco offers the same service. Something strange though, it might just be the local stores, but the tire guys at Discount always seem cheerful and helpful, and the Costco tire guys seem to be grumpy.

discount doesn't have/use/recommend nitrogen!!

years ago costco put nitrogen/green valve caps on/in new tires, not sure if they do nitrogen anymore!!

Seems some missed the point that "a 78% Nitrogen blend" is in fact, just plain old compressed air. But, mkay...

I’m still working on my first cigarette lighter powered compressor. It is at least 8 years old. Nothing fancy and I used to live up north and every winter it got used as temps dropped. Maybe I just got lucky. I still don’t want to have to hook up to the battery to use it though. I much prefer the 12v outlet versions.

As usual, you guys are costing me money. Just ordered a Viair for my truck.

Most of the gas station air pumps I’ve tried to use are either inoperable or barely working. That includes the one at my local Costco.

Timely thread!

I try to check my tires weekly, but I've been lax the last few months. Last check was a couple of weeks ago, and they all needed 2 or 3 psi to get them right.

Now that the temp has dropped, I will check again tomorrow.

quote:

Originally posted by pedropcola:
I’m still working on my first cigarette lighter powered compressor. It is at least 8 years old. Nothing fancy and I used to live up north and every winter it got used as temps dropped. Maybe I just got lucky. I still don’t want to have to hook up to the battery to use it though. I much prefer the 12v outlet versions.

Ask and you shall receive...I give you the VIAIR 85P with Plug-in Cigarette Lighter/12V Outlet Plug:

https://www.amazon.com/VIAIR-8...ressor/dp/B0036E9VB6

All of my vehicles have accessible terminals to connect/power the 87P so it was a no brainer in my case, but after thinking about the AGM Battery thread, and realizing that some may not have the most accessible Batteries / Jump Start terminals, I tracked down the 85P for such applications and/or those that 'prefer' the plug-in configuration.

NOTE: The VIAIR 85P 'can' draw 15A and is Duty cycle rated for 20 min. runtime @ 30 PSI. The 12V power outlet in many (most?) vehicles only rated for 10A, and protected with a 10A Fuse! YMMV

I had the same thing happen this morning. Tires should be 35 psi, 3 tires were at 27, 1 was 26. My son gave me a Roybi air gun last Christmas that I use to fill them up. Works well for me. It went down to 30F last night.

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:
I have Milton stick gauges in every vehicle and a portable Viair air compressor in my truck. I check every month and fill when needed.

I also check before leaving everytime when towing. I have a Viair 400 because of the 110psi and 90psi tires on the trailers. Most people would be well served with a Viair 88P.



A plug kit and portable compressor are must haves even over a jump battery. I've never needed a jump battery, but have used a plug kit and compressor at least two dozen times.

Went 88p I swear, that thing has stayed busy. Since the wife gifted it to me at Christmas she has been sure to volunteer my services at every visit to the kids and grandkids. Did a nature walk way out in the sticks this summer, another “hiker” had a flat by the time we got back, topped them up and they were able to get home to get it repaired.

Like my jump pack, it seems to be for Good Samaritan duty. I’m happy leaving the tire plugs stowed away though, thank you very much.

I actually check my tpms every drive so I know when something gets off from the others. Usually when I hop on the freeway, I switch to the tpms view so I can watch the tire temps change. lol

I tell my daughter to check her's as well before each fuel up so it's checked weekly.

I have a compressor in each of our trunks along with a plug kit so if it's something minor, we can take care of it and stay mobile.

Light doesn't come on until it drops below 29 I think.

When I was leasing Honda Pilots (3) each one would light up during the cold months. That TPMS was always on during the winter months.

TPMS readouts show up on the Ford app, so I can check my tire pressures while sitting in my living room.

Nice!

I just had my end of year service work (oil and filter change, spark plug replacement and brake fluid flush) to my Spyder and will be putting her to bed until next Spring so I’ll be increasing the tire pressure up to about 45 psi to prevent flat spotting the tires while she’s taking her winter nap.

It got down to 22 here in the NC mountains last night! Can’t drive Cup tires below 40 degrees!