Tire Pressure - Portable compressor

[Charles Suitt]

:idea: For Christmas, I gave my Prius a portable 12-volt compressor to keep tire pressures at optimum. It is a "Tote" brand bought at a local Dept Store (torn box) for $7.88, good up to 250# and has an on-board gauge. This compressor is compact enough to be carried in the left side rear storage compartment. I found similar compressors at Wal-Mart for under $9.96 but no gauge.

Found my tires at 35#± front and 30#±. Now up to 42 and 40. I'll now see what difference in MPGs I get. I also gave Prius a set of chrome valve caps.

[jamarimutt]

Since you'll most likely use your compressor at home, I suggest buying an electric one too; it will pump air much faster and won't use energy from the auxiliary battery.

[Frank Hudon]

I was in my local tool supply house the other day and they had a rechargable compressor that looked just like a portable drill, where the chuck would be was the air chuck which you put on the valve stem. Only 60 lbs output but lots of volume which is what the little 12 volt ones lack. Mind you it was $48 so I just kept thinking I'd use my spare or my home compressor.

[inkydoo]

I would recommend you doublecheck the accuracy of the built-in gauge with some other gauge. I have a compressor that is several years old (I don't remember the brand) and its gauge is not very accurate (it sometimes reads 4 or 5 psi too high). It was a gift, and it fills the tires plenty quick so I keep it around, but I always doublecheck it with a simple mechanical gauge.