How to choose a car pump

January 08, 2021

If you spend a lot of time behind the wheel of a car, then adjusting tire pressure will be an almost routine process for you. And everyone copes with this problem in different ways. Someone goes to the nearest gas station or gas station, while someone uses a hand pump or air compressor .

Sometimes unforeseen situations on the road can surprise us, so everything depends on our tool. In today's blog, we will tell you how to choose the right car pump and what you should pay attention to.

What types of pumps are there?

First, let's figure out what types of pumps exist in general. Initially, they can be divided into 2 groups:

Mechanical;
Hand;
Foot;
Electric;
Membrane.

Which car? Should we choose a compressor ?

If you already know what you need a pump for and want to save time, below is a brief description of each type:

Hand or foot-operated pumps are the most reliable and best choice for inflating car, motorcycle, or bicycle tires. The inflation speed depends on your physical characteristics.

Diaphragm - a simple, reliable electric pump , suitable for passenger cars and warm climates . Does not require physical effort, but is not suitable for off-road vehicles and operation at sub-zero temperatures.

Mechanical car pumps

Mechanical pumps are devices that require physical effort to inflate a tire. This is one of the disadvantages, which can cause leg or back pain. Accordingly, working with them can take longer.

However, it is important to note the following advantages: low cost, simplicity of design and, if we are talking about the leg - compactness.

Car electric pump

A car electric pump (compressor) is a device that does not require physical effort. It has a cylinder and an electric motor that is connected to the cigarette lighter or directly to the battery.

Advantages and disadvantages of air compressors

Membrane

A significant drawback that needs to be taken into account is the low temperature at which the rubber loses its elasticity and becomes brittle. However, it should also be remembered that this pump cannot withstand prolonged use and requires breaks after 15 minutes of operation.

Advantages:

Endurance;
Maintenance.

Disadvantages:

The power rating is low;
Inability to use in frost.

How to choose a car compressor

When choosing a car compressor, you should pay attention to a number of characteristics:

Maximum possible pressure;
Speed;
Continuous working time;
Electric motor power.

Maximum possible pressure

The pressure that can be reached inside the tire. For passenger cars, a pressure of 2 - 2.2 atmospheres is considered normal, which almost any car compressor can handle. In case you have SUVs and trucks, you will need a car compressor that can pump 8 or more atmospheres of air.

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