A tyre that's slowly losing air doesn't pick a convenient time. With a portable pump in the boot, it's a short stop instead of a wait for help.
Why keep a pump in the boot
- Slow leaks, anywhere. Top up a soft tyre on the roadside, at camp or in the driveway, then drive to a tyre shop.
- The spare. Spares sit for months and lose air. A pump sorts a soft spare before you need it.
- Airing back up. After sand or gravel, you can air up at the exit instead of driving on soft tyres to a servo.
- No servo needed. Handy when the nearest air hose is a long way off, or out of order.
What to look for in a portable pump
- 12 V power that plugs into the car's socket.
- Enough pressure for your tyres, with room to spare for loaded vans and light trucks.
- A built-in gauge, so you can pump to a set figure.
- A light for night stops.
- Nozzles for other things you inflate.
Here's the Surge Portable Air Pump:
- Pressure: up to 150 PSI
- Power: 100 W, plugs into the 12 V socket
- Gauge: Digital, built in
- Light: Emergency light
How to use one safely
- Stop somewhere safe, off the road, with your hazard lights on.
- Check the placard for your cold pressure. Here's how to check tyre pressure.
- Plug the pump into the 12 V socket and follow its instructions. Many 12 V pumps work best with the engine running.
- Screw the nozzle onto the valve and pump to your figure, checking the gauge.
- Let the pump rest if it gets hot, and keep the cord clear of hot engine parts.
- Refit the valve cap.
A pump isn't a repair
A pump gets you going. It doesn't fix a puncture. If the same tyre keeps going soft, get it repaired or replaced.
A TPMS tells you which tyre is losing air, and how fast, before you'd see it. Together they make a good pair: the TPMS tells you, the pump gets you going. The ULTIMATE Bundle puts the Aura A4 and the Surge pump together.
See the Surge Portable Air Pump for the full specs.
Not sure what your rig needs? Email us your rig: info@flatmate-tpms.com
