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      09-03-2010, 01:38 PM   #1
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Pumping tires cost $$$?

I came from HK, so air is free. It's a bit surprising to come back and find out that in Canada (at least in Toronto), one has to pay $1 every time to pump tires. What alternatives do you guys use? Any good suggestions on tire gauges and pumps so that I can DIY? Thx.
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      09-03-2010, 03:27 PM   #2
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I have a good compressor for home and a lighter powered one for the road.

Most gas stations are $1 or 3 quarters for air, lasts long enough to do all tires (if you check the pressure first).
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      09-03-2010, 03:38 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by richard in NC View Post
I have a good compressor for home and a lighter powered one for the road.

Most gas stations are $1 or 3 quarters for air, lasts long enough to do all tires (if you check the pressure first).
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      09-03-2010, 03:40 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tranquility View Post
I came from HK, so air is free. It's a bit surprising to come back and find out that in Canada (at least in Toronto), one has to pay $1 every time to pump tires. What alternatives do you guys use? Any good suggestions on tire gauges and pumps so that I can DIY? Thx.
Ever since my 2 rear wheels cracked I take no chances and check my air pressure quite often. I recommend you purchase yourself a good air compressor from Canadian Tire (one that has a gauge ~ meaning once you connect it to the tire it shows you the pressure you have now in the tire). Then simply you add whatever you need to add. It works very well. I think I paid around $35- for it.

See the picture in my garage here

In my previous car I had one that was powered from the cigarette lighter. Make a Google search or check at your local Canadian Tire store what they have. I am sure you find something suitable.

PS. On my US road trip I also had to pay for air see everyone wants to make money.
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Last edited by Mr. ///M3 RD; 09-03-2010 at 03:46 PM.. Reason: added a PS
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      09-03-2010, 03:51 PM   #5
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I'm surprised you have to pay for air there...


T
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      09-03-2010, 04:04 PM   #6
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Yeah this is a bit of a pet peeve of mine too. When I lived in Germany air was always free at the gas station. And I liked their setup much more. Most gas stations had portable air. Meaning there was a pressurized metal container that almost looked like a bucket which has a gauge and one button to deflate the tire and one to fill the tire with air. It was much easier than the nonsense you have to put up with at US gas stations. Measure tire, insert quarters, add air, measure again, add more air, measure again, now it has too much air, let some out. Ugh. Then again I wouldn't be able to afford a Z4 in my home country so I'm not complaining.
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      09-03-2010, 04:07 PM   #7
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Hess stations always have free air.
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      09-03-2010, 04:23 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rolf-Dieter View Post
Ever since my 2 rear wheels cracked I take no chances and check my air pressure quite often. I recommend you purchase yourself a good air compressor from Canadian Tire (one that has a gauge ~ meaning once you connect it to the tire it shows you the pressure you have now in the tire). Then simply you add whatever you need to add. It works very well. I think I paid around $35- for it.

See the picture in my garage here
Wow, that impressive-looking pump only costs CAD$35?! I think a pump+gauge is all I need. I don't need a portable one as yet. Thx, I'll chk it out!

I wonder if there is one that offers auto-pumping and is cordless as well?
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      09-03-2010, 04:27 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by T89 View Post
I'm surprised you have to pay for air there...


T
People that pump the air at the gas station are not technically paying for the air. They are paying for the cost of the machine the station had to purchase to be able to provide the air. The gas station probably has probably profited 1000 fold, as the machine has most likely been paid for a thousand times over by now, if it has been there a few years. Capitalism!!

They don't get my quarters as I have my own compressor.

Last edited by BlueZ4AZ; 09-03-2010 at 05:05 PM..
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      09-03-2010, 04:29 PM   #10
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no shit einstein...













im just teasing, don't get mad...
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      09-03-2010, 05:07 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Memphis1 View Post
no shit einstein...













im just teasing, don't get mad...
I does enjoy stating the obvious from time to time
If you are going to use the term "No sh*t"..., I think it's "No sh*t Sherlock", but I'm no Einstein, so I'm not absolutely sure.

Last edited by BlueZ4AZ; 09-03-2010 at 05:14 PM..
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      09-03-2010, 05:10 PM   #12
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Compressor in the home shop. Do yourself a favor and invest in a good quality tire gage. Expect to pay $50+ for and accurate quality gage.
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      09-03-2010, 07:25 PM   #13
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Well, if we were true capitalists, we woudl realise that there is no such thing as a free lunch (or compressor).

The margin on the fuel is what pays for the services (the bathrooms, compressors, squeegies, etc)

The sideline businesses they run like coffee, food and convenience store items just add to the bottom line.

So when you think about it, charging 25 cents or a buck may seem like highway robbery, but it is really just a way of making the user pay, instead of making everyone pay.
If the small change they charge is too much for your liking to compensate for the convenience of the service they provide, we have the ability to buy our own.

"And I think to myself, what a wonderful world" Louis Armstrong
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      09-03-2010, 07:33 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tranquility View Post
Wow, that impressive-looking pump only costs CAD$35?! I think a pump+gauge is all I need. I don't need a portable one as yet. Thx, I'll chk it out!

I wonder if there is one that offers auto-pumping and is cordless as well?
The one I have is a BONAIR 120 Volt Compressor (don't quote me on the price I think it was around 35 to 40 I forget). As I said it has a gauge build in as you can see from the web site. It makes it very handy to fill the tire to the exact amount required.

They do have the type as I said to connect to your car cigarrete lighter. You can order them on the net make a search.

Here is the site for the BONAIR

I always carry a good tire gauge in my car under the center armrest.
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      09-03-2010, 09:05 PM   #15
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Picked my car up the performance center and the hotel is next to the Michelin HQ. They have a station where you can purge the air out of the tires and fill with N2. All for FREE!
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      09-03-2010, 10:56 PM   #16
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I just picked up a really cheap portable air compressor at Can Tire. Not sure how accurate the gauge is or how long it'll take to pump the tires, but can't go wrong for under $8. I'll return it if it's not good enough, we'll see.
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      09-03-2010, 11:41 PM   #17
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a compressor in my garage
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      09-03-2010, 11:51 PM   #18
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I heard nitrogen is better than air for tires. Any comments?

Pumping tires are free in HK, you can get it in any gas stations.
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      09-04-2010, 12:09 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Otago View Post
I heard nitrogen is better than air for tires. Any comments?

Pumping tires are free in HK, you can get it in any gas stations.
It's supposedly better because it doesn't contain water vapor. Less potential for rubber rot, and more predictable pressre when the tire is hot.

In practice, advantages are very limited (for a street car).
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      09-08-2010, 08:24 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Otago View Post
I heard nitrogen is better than air for tires. Any comments?

Pumping tires are free in HK, you can get it in any gas stations.
You can read all about air / nitrogen here (or as you know google it for more info).


One of the write ups here
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      09-08-2010, 10:40 AM   #21
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How (in)accurate are the built-in gauges that come w/ the the compressor? Do I really need to spend $$$$ for a quality standalone gauge?
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      09-08-2010, 02:01 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tranquility View Post
How (in)accurate are the built-in gauges that come w/ the the compressor? Do I really need to spend $$$$ for a quality standalone gauge?

The needle on my compressor jitters too much for me to get an accurate reading from it. I use it as a guide, to know about when to stop pumping air, but always use my ($12) Digital Tire gauge to make sure I have the correct pressure.
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