If you own a car, you know how common it is to face flat tires. But thanks to air compressor brands like Dewalt, Craftsman, Bostitch, Husky, Portal Cable etc. for manufacturing good quality air compressors to inflate tires anywhere.
But how to use air compressor for tires?
The task of inflating tires with an air compressor is simple. All you need is an air compressor, hose, air coupler, and pressure gauge. Then set the compressor and attach the coupler to the valve to fill the air.
The above process of using an air compressor for tires is pretty straight forward. It takes only 1 to 5 minutes to add air to a flat tire. So enjoy!
Here is guides how do you use a compressor step by step in different circumstances:
How To Use An Air Compressor for Car Tires Step by step?
The process of inflating car tires using an air compressor are:
- Step 1: Set Up The Air Compressor
Try to place your compressor as close to the tire as possible. Now connect the hose and tire chuck/air coupler to the compressor to easily push air into the tire.
If you have an electric air compressor, you need to have a power source to run the machine. In that case, you’ll have to ensure voltage for the smooth operation of the compressor.
- Step 2: Prep The Tire
In your car, all tires come with a stem cap on the valve stem. You need to take it out and store it somewhere safe. After you open the cap, secure the tire chuck with the stem quickly so that you don’t lose the remaining air in the tire.
If you have an electric compressor, connect your compressor’s power cable to the power source, attach the hose to the tire’s valve stem, and turn the compressor on.
- Step 3: Fill The Tire
After you’re done with the above two steps, it’s time to let the compressor fill your car tires. No need to rush the air-filling process to prevent overinflating. If the tires are very flat, it may take a long time.
Some compressor comes with a gauge that you can utilize for guidance. Again, some come with an automatic switch-off feature to turn off the machine itself after a specific PSI. However, you shouldn’t leave the compressor unattended because it can switch off.
How do you use a portable air compressor for tires?
Have you got a flat tire in the midways and dint know how to use portable air compressor for car tire properly? Don’t worry, we just save you. Follow these steps carefully and enjoy your remaining journey without no further trouble.
- Step 1: Park your car safely and turn off the engine. Make sure you’re not blocking any traffic areas or creating a hazard for yourself or others.
- Step 2: Locate the correct tire valve stem for each tire you need to inflate. Once you’ve found the right valve stem, unscrew the cap and set it aside (you’ll need to screw it back on later).
- Step 3: Attach the air hose from the compressor to the valve stem of the flat tire. When attaching The Air Hose make sure that There Is No Leakage in between so that there is no hissing sound while compressing.
- Step 4: Plug in the power cord to an outlet or your car’s cigarette lighter socket. Then, turn on the compressor by flipping the switch to the “on” position.
- Step 5: Monitor the pressure gauge as the air begins filling up your tire. You’ll want to stop around 30 psi (pounds per square inch). If you fill it up too much, simply release some of the air by pressing on the valve stem with your thumb until you reach the desired level.
And that’s it! You’ve successfully used a portable air compressor to inflate your tires. Be sure to unplug the unit and disconnect The Air Hose when finished, then screw the cap back onto each tire valve stem.
How To Use Air Compressor to Inflate Bike Tires?
Bike tires have two types of valves, Presta and Schrader. Among these two, Schrader is the valve type of car tire, and many compressors contain pumps for Schrader valves.
So if your bike has Schrader, then you’re good to go. And in case your bike has a Presta valve, then you can either use a Schrader adapter or buy a specific compressor for a Presta valve.
Here is the process of inflating bike tires using an air compressor:
- First, place the compressor near your bike tire and set the hose, and chuck with the compressor.
- Now, look for the maximum PSI of your bike tire.
- Take the stem cap off and attach the chuck. If you have a Presta valve, then you’ll need to set the Schrader adapter first, then set the chuck.
- Next, keep squeezing the lever, trigger, or button until you can see your desired PSI on the gauge of the inflator.
- After you reach the desired PSI level, take the inflator out of the valve quickly. This time, you may hear a hissing sound because of air leaking.
- Now remove the adapter that you had set over the Presta valve.
- Close the stem cap, and your bike tires are ready for rolling.
NOTE: If your bike contains one thick and one thin tire, it’ll require separate air pressure. And slowly fill the tires since overinflating can explore the tire.
How To Use Air Compressor For Tires At Gas Station?
The process of how to fill tires at a gas station with an air compressor is pretty similar as like above process. Here is ho to do:
- Step 1: Determine Tire Pressure
First, park your car or bike near the gas station compressor pump so you can reach every tire of your vehicle. Now look for the recommended tire pressure on the tires.
Usually, the rate or digit of tire pressure is printed inside the door jamb over a trim tag. If you don’t find it there, check the fuel lid, glove compartment cover, or the user’s manual of your car.
- Step 2: Check Tire Pressure With Gauge
To measure the tire pressure with a gauge, the tires must be cold. If you were driving, then let the tires cool down for a few hours to get the accurate PSI.
Now, unscrew the stem cap and press the gauge to the valve.
In case you hear an air leaking sound, you need to press the gauge with more pressure to stop hissing. Now read the PSI and compare your reading with the recommended tire pressure to find the underinflated tire.
- Step 3: Fill The Underinflated Tires
Now attach the tire chuck to the valve and pay the gas station pump. Once you pay, you can press the button to fill air in the tires. Keep the air filling speed slow since adding too much air can explode the tire.
If the tire is filled with too much air, make sure to release some air before closing the stem cap. After you’re done filling the tires, check the tire pressure again using the gauge to ensure all the tires have the correct pressure.
Now keep the hose in its place and go for the drive.
NOTE: You can follow the same steps for bike tires; just use an adapter for the Presta valve. If you can’t find the adapter, ask the workers at the gas station.
FAQs about Inflating Tires with Air Compressor
Can you use air compressor for bike tires?
Yes, you can, but you should be careful not to overinflate it.
What PSI should I set my air compressor to fill tires?
32-35 pressure per square inch (psi) is ideal to fill up tires.
Conclusion
So you just learn the step-by-step process of how to use air compressor for tires at the gas stations or even at home garage. No matter the air compressor is portable or other type we’ve covered everything for you.
However, to conclude in our today’s guide we’d say, to get the best performance in riding you must fill up your tires according to recommended PSI. And also ensure all tires have the balance air pressure to maintain stability while driving.