PiPhiAngel

I'm looking to invest in my very first tire gauge for my 3-series BMW. I'm looking for something practical and very easy to use. (Have never done this before, so am taking a big step towards self car maintenence! )

Laugh if you must, but please help me!


I was going to run to Target today to pick one up, but then decided that it would be better to ask for advice first as I don't know the first thing about the maintenence of cars.

What should I get? Where would I find such a thing? What features should I look for? Any particular brands?

also... what time of the day would be best to gauge the tires? and would it be better to pump air from one of those pumps at the gas station or purchase my own? and if i were to purchase my own, what kind of pump should i buy? and where would i be able to buy such a thing?

sorry for piling on the questions here, it would really help me a lot if you could offer any advice at all related to this.

(Yes, I'm a girl...a wimpy one, I know.)

Houdini

The modern digital gauges are nice and rather durable. Check Sears automotive or even auto parts stores.

It's also rather nice and convenient to have your own air compressor (the kind that plugs into the cig lighter). I found a nice unit with a safety-reflector triangle, and work light, and compressor (with gague) for about $10 or so at Big Lots sometime last year. Folds up into a small, unobtrusive box with carry handle. Great for topping off tire pressures before extended highway jaunts. Much better mileage with correctly pressured tires. The gauge on the compressor is fine for ensuring that everything is connected correctly, but use the digital gauge to check the tire pressures.

Eugene

Wow, the air compressor seems a bit much to me. If you really need air that bad, it's most likely you have a puncture and adding more air isn't going to do too much; why not just pop the spare on? although, I suppose the convenience of topping off tire pressures in your garage must be much nicer than having to go ask the gas attendant to turn on the air.

As for tire pressure gauges, yeah, try the digital ones, those are nice. i still use a $3 cheapo one and it does the job for me. For the most part, I doubt you can go wrong with a tire gauge...buy what you feel is most economical and useful for you.

Time of day to gauge the tires? Before you drive. When you drive, the tires will heat up, increasing the tire pressure inside. to get a consistent pressure reading, try doing it before you drive, when the tires are "cold."

Congrats on taking a step up to taking good care of your car!

Houdini

A compressor can be very useful for keeping tires at recommended pressures. It's not like I have to add air daily, but a couple of pounds every once in a while is worth it to me for the added mileaqe and tread life. And they're very inexpensive. I've carried compressors in my trunks for years.

Apex

Strangely enough, I got mine from Brookstone. It works very well.

I'd suggest something with a bleeder valve and circular dial.

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spigidygak

thumbs up to the similar type apex recommends. Nothing beats it in being accurate. The lil pen things that have the stick pop out... eh no can work if you gotta but not accurate i find myself rechecking the pressure a few times to make sure it comes out consistent. And as for digital I just don't trust it being right. My sister had one and the thing would put out silly numbers all the time.

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Showtime

They now have pressure gauge stem/valve caps for for tires. You just take the old caps of the valve and put these new ones on and green means good to go and red means to add some air. Neat stuff that should be available soon at a store near you.

-j

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Eugene

actually, now that i've read ur post a little closer and thought ab it, I think it would be nice to have a compressor u can plug into the car outlet and pump up the tires.... especially if it's only $10 and is small... Might have to look into that one.

PiPhiAngel

i haven't been to big lots, but i searched for air compressors on amazon, and haven't found any for $10. the cheapest one was by coleman for $20 and has terrible ratings-- apparently the ones by coleman are useless. is that a normal price for air compressors? what's the price range for those and what should i look for?

mcs328

I had a portable air compressor from Target and I don't think it worked or just too ungodly long to fill up a tire on my civic. It was loud as hell too. In case you don't know...maybe you do...the tire pressure sticker is usaully on the driver side door and it may not be the same number for the front and back tires.

Oh and carry Fix-a-flat for those times you get a nail or something. It's easier than changing to a spare. You might want to get it professionally repaired or just run on it...I don't know but I'm sure someone does.

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GilbertsGrape

I bought one of the Coleman $10.00 compressors from Big lots. and it burned up the first time it used it. i added no more than 4 lbs each to my 4 tires and the thing started smoking...

so i took it back and went to sears and bought this one
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...id=00916870000

Craftsman 33 gal. Vertical Portable Tank Compressor, 6 hp.

Sears item #00916870000 Mfr. model #16870

Vertical portable tank compressor offers 150 psi for optimum tool performance. Exclusive shroud and console design. High flow regulator and universal quick connect allows more work at a higher pressure. Includes 3/8 in. stubby ratchet, 3/8 in. impact ratchet, air hammer, 1/4 in. nylon coil hose, 1 female plug, 3 male plugs, 1 quick-connect body, thread seal tape and a carrying case.


I like it alot better.... does a gread job of airing up tires.

Eugene

whoa... see that craftsman one is the type of thing I was thinking that would be a tad excessive for someone who is just starting to take car of his/her car. Useful? Very. Big and expensive? You got it!

I'd like something Houdini was talking about: something i can just plug into my car and have it pump up the tires. That just seems way too cool.

Houdini

.

I'm not sure of the brand of my Big Lots special, but I've used it many times over the past year without problems. I'll check tomorrow. All compressors are noisy, and the ones that plug into the cigarette lighter aren't the fastest, but they do work pretty well and are more than adequate for topping off air pressures before long highway trips, etc.

Though if I had enough room in my apartment, I'd love to have one with a tank reservoir. But this one is rather small, folds flat, is unobtrusive and lightweight. It even has a rather long cig lighter cord, so it's very easy. It also has a work light which may be useful changing a tire at 2am (been there, done that).

PiPhiAngel

wow, thats a phatty air compressor! the things ginormous...and $300!


fix-a-flat?
i'm not sure i know what that is.

Showtime

Fix-a-flat is this air and goo mixture that puts goo into the tire to stop the leak and fills it with air. Good to have for just-in-cases. An instant flat fix.

Note: Not good for the tire/rim and not a permanent fix.

-j

guiseppewv

I have found these to be the most accurate and the bleeder valve comes in handy every once in a while.