Inflating car tyres - help please

[EezyOozy]

I absolutely hate inflating my car tyres and I don't have anybody to ask for help or to do it for me.

I hate it because of the stupid pump that has to plug into the cigarette lighter and barely reaches each wheel.

And I hate it because when I unscrew the pump (after inflating) I can never get the bastard thing of quickly. No matter how quickly I try and unscrew it, loads of air comes out, and the tyre doesn't look any fuller. So I go back to the start and do it a again, then again, then give up thinking "what a waste of my time, I'm cold and I've got sore filthy hands and my legs hurt, and it hasn't made any bloody difference and now I'm stressed because I have no idea how inflated they actually are!!"

What is the answer please? I can't pay somebody to do it every few weeks… I need a better pump? I have two, one digital and one not. Both with the shitty bastard screw attachment things.

Is one with a lever better? Will it come off more quickly? Do these have problems of their own?

I know this is the first world problem but every time I try and inflate my car tyres I get really cross!!

Have you tried using one of the machines at a petrol station. They are still a bit fiddly but it should be easier.

All.fuel garages should have air for tyres. The tube is really long and there's no screwing on or off just push it on and pull off. Would that be any easier for you?

It would probably be easier to do it at a petrol station. The pump would reach better and be better equipped. The first time you do it it might be scary but then you will be used to it. There should be instructions too.

Use one at petrol station. They are usually free

I use a foot pump with a lever attachment rather than a screw. I just do an extra couple of pumps to account for the air that will come out when I undo it.

Yes, do it at the petrol station. It's easy there. I don't even park careful and I can reach every tyre.

Garage machines here are £1 a go. You put in the pressure you want and it beeps when it reaches it.

But also.. why do you need to pump car tyres every few weeks?

Ours only get done twice a year when we swap summer to winter types around now, then back again in spring. You much have a hole if it’s constantly deflated

@Caspianberg you're supposed to check the pressures every few weeks and before a long journey? I normally check mine every 6-8 weeks.

Does your car have a pressure sensor? If so, you don't have to physically check them so often. Your car will tell you of any minor reduction in pressure.

@BarbaraofSeville it doesn't sadly :-( my next car will though!!

@hassletassle - really? But surely checking pressure is different from actually needing to pump up so frequently?

I think you're actually meant to check them every month.

I have to put the pump on the tyre valve just to check the pressure , with the portable things I have .

I thought that was the case universally?
Maybe there's a way to check the pressures without removing valve caps and attaching anything .

I ring my local garage where I take my car for MOT & service.
They kindly allow me a time off peak when a mechanic does it for me.
I donate to the charity box on the reception desk.
Job done.

Just do it at the petrol station. It takes 2 minutes, and don't forget a wet wipe for your hands afterwards.

You can get tyre pressure gauges. Still need to attach to valve though.

This makes me anxious too OP and I find that it's easier at a garage. You can't possibly be the only one. If you go on a day when there's more than one attendant at the shop one of them should be willing to come out and help so don't feel embarrassed to ask politely if they could give you a hand.

Sometimes there's a very nice fellow customer who agrees to help get the tyre caps off (which can seize up in the cold) - as an arthritic old gal I find these fiddly little things troublesome. One chap also asked me if I'd like him to do the tyres for me as well which wasn't necessary, but it was lovely of him to offer.

It's great to be independent but don't be afraid to ask for help OP. At a previous address, I used to go to a tyre supplier and ask them if they could do it for me. The young men always helped (go when it's a bit quiet) and did it willingly for free on the quiet understanding that when I needed new tyres I'd go to them.

I'm more concerned that you're inflating your tyres based on how they look!!
Go to the garage, it's free or £1 at most if you have to pay.
Remove all your dust caps before you start using the machine.
Check what your tyre pressure settings should be (the front may be different to the back). Set the machine to the required pressure and it will beep and stop inflating when you reach it.
Put your dust caps back on once finished so you're not wasting time you've paid for on the machine.

Just get this from Aldi - I have it and its great! Easy on and easy off. Can set the pressure you want and leave it to do the job as it will auto shut off too.

Better to do it when your tyres are cold before you drive as it'll be more accurate than driving to a garage to reinflate.

That looks great @DownNative !

Thank you

My local petrol stations charge - normally a minimum of 50p.

I dont check mine regularly but do have sensors.
How often are your tyres below the recommended pressure as they shouldn't need to be inflated all the time?

It a £1 to use the ones at the petrol station! Although that should do all 4 tires

I wish! They used to all be free when I passed my test but none within a 10-15 mile radius of me are now. (It's only ever 20p - £1 sort of cost, but still!)

Do your tyres require a lot of air when you check them? I have tyre pressure sensors in my car now but it only tends to be the season change that means they need a top up, a couple of times a year. Before this I checked occasionally and the tyres rarely needed topping up. Maybe you have a slow puncture?

I have an air compressor that plugs into the lighter and just pushes on. It's really easy. It's just a cheapo thing from Halfords.