Trouble Averted

Best to read the reviews with a critical eye. Reviews are unfortunately tainted by bought praise, but it can be recognized by the shallow writing.

 

The product you refer to above is probably underpowered for what you want.

I still have the "Bon Aire Airtech 12volt truck and Rv tire compressor, 300psi" I got for my old RAV4, and it is just fine for the C. I carry it with me everywhere.

I don't see that this exact model is available now (I bought it 6 or 7 years ago), but I would look for more power.

This one is very portable, with a flashlight, handle, autostop setting at a desired pressure on a dial gauge, and the cords are stored in the unit. It is loud, but I can do all four tires without overheating it. My SO has the 250psi version which is cuter and more compact, but a little under powered.

Don't trust the gauge in it for checking to see if you need air in the first place- get a good small digital or dial style gauge (pen style popups not recommended).

I wouldn't feel safe driving in the mountains without it...

 

Chin, what do you have in mind when you make this suggestion? Any suggestions for a good portable air compressor? I have a really large and loud one in the garage; not really practical.

 

Sorry that I was not clear- there are small compressors under 300 psi, which I suggest are a little too underpowered, and I use the "trust, but verify" method of using a second gauge besides the one in the the device to check my pressure.

The compressor I am discussing is a good one (300psi), small, loud and vibrates a lot. The dial in it has an auto-shutoff needle that works well, but I always double-check with a different gauge before and after. It fits right in the trunk, and the cord rolls up into a storage compartment in the unit. Has a flashlight built in...it is "Truck-size" but it won't over-inflate (300psi gives you a faster pump and the noise/power draw are therefore of shorter duration). My C did just fine running it off the 12 volt. lower power smaller pumps will work, but may take longer.

I did find it in a search this afternoon (unavailable at this vendor, but there is a picture).

This product is no longer available. Continue shopping at Northern Tool.
Bon Aire Truck Tire Inflator with Fan-Cooled Motor — 300 PSI

Item# 2000420
Heavy-duty air compressor plugs into your vehicles 12V receptacle to inflate truck and SUV tires. Auto shut-off feature turns compressor off when pre-set pressure is reached. Also has a 4-way emergency light and quick-connect toggle chuck. Includes a 14ft. power cord and built-in fan-cooled motor for extended use. 3-year limited warranty. CFM at 90 PSI: 0.2, Max. PSI: 275, Volts: 12, Amps: 9, HP: 0.14, Air Tank Size (gal.): N/A, Tank Description: N/A, Pump: Single-Stage Cylinder (Iron), Air Outlet Size (in.): N/A, Portable or Stationary: Portable, Dimensions L x W x H (in.): 6 7/8 x 3 3/4 x 11 1/4
Northern Tool - Bon Aire Truck Tire Inflator with Fan-Cooled Motor — 300 PSI customer reviews - product reviews - read top consumer ratings

 

In regards to a portable air compressor, I've got an analog ~$15 one from Slime that I got at Walmart. They also have a digital one now with auto-stop. AAA has a branded one that is more or less the same thing I have, for $15.

I will say this: In the details about the one I got, it says "easy-to-read and accurate gauge", but I remember reading in the manual that you should never use the compressor's gauge to measure pressure. Once you inflate your tire, you are supposed to use a separate gauge to check the pressure. How silly. I hope the digital ones are a bit more accurate and reliable.

 

What is the impact on the front end for going past the recommendation?

Impact in Alignment, struts and springs?

 

I got a decent one at autozone for 19.99, plugs into cig lighter

 

I picked up the Slime digital compressor. The manual still reads "check actual tire pressure with separate tire pressure gauge". Also, while it's handy to inflate the tires with a preset pressure and let it auto-shut off with that new feature, this compressor comes with a screw-on tip, which causes the tire to deflate a bit as you reach the end of the screw on motion. This means it also releases a bit of air as you screw it off again once you're done inflating. I've decided to set my PSI to 1 higher to compensate.

 

I'll use a bicycle pump in a pinch, the type that has two feet on the floor and a tube. The one I have has a dial pressure gage that keeps you appraised of your progress. It'll bring a car tire up through a few pounds with about 30 strokes. I wouldn't recommend the make I got (Schwin) though, it's a bit of a handful, hard to install on the valve, and there a lot of bad reviews on the 'net. Works, and there doesn't seem to be a lot of choices.

Mostly I just add air at the gas station.

 

Would this hold water with an accident investigator or an insurance adjustor (Life, Disability or Auto)?

 

Saved your bacon, I guess.