Looking for a good 12v tyre inflator and repair kit

the_amazing_raisin

I recently had the misfortune of getting a puncture (actually 2 punctures) in one of the wheels while over in the UK

Had to wait for breakdown assistance to come out and repair the tyre and pump it back up

So I'm thinking of getting a repair kit, in case lightning strikes twice. If I can fix it up to at least get the car to a repair shop then I'm happy

I've got a 12v compressor, but it's one of those dinky things and it struggles to get the rear tyres up to their 45psi operating point

I noticed the AA van had a much better compressor which had no issues getting the tyre up to pressure.

I'd like to get something like that so I know I can fill the tyres when needed. Also it would save me going to the garage every time I need to top up the tyres

Does anyone have any particular recommendations for one? I was thinking one like below if anyone has any experience with that brand?

https://amzn.eu/d/1QV74ve

I'd also like to get a repair kit together, if anyone has any recommendations for tyre plugs or a decent socket wrench?

zg3409

You need a telescopic spanner for wheel. You also need to loosen nuts and re tighten every time car is in the garage as often they put them on super tight with air guns.

Ideally you want a metal air compressor but they are all a bit crap.

You can buy cans of goo too which might save you.

Ideally you need lots of thread on your tyre which helps prevent punctures.

For long trips you can throw a full size or space saver in the boot. You can get the right one cheap from scrap yard. An X type tyre spanner is a good idea too as the telescopic ones can break.

Make sure you have a jack and know how to use it. A small jumper pack too is an essential item to to jump start the battery.

If you look after your tyres the chances of a puncture are low. You can buy tyre pressure display systems cheap online which helps display pressure easily and warn of a puncture while driving.

Some people also keep a plastic can of petrol/ diesel but I prefer to fill up early than carry that.

whizbang

Forget cans of Goo. If you tyre is bad enough to need it, it wont work. Most tyre centres lately will scrap a good tyre with goo in it, even for a tiny pinhole.

That compressor looks better than most. Dual heads are a must. Ignore any that only list a Psi figure - you need to compare flow -70L/min fast inflation speed isnt fast to me, but still better.

Compressing air generates heat - any decent compressor you see has fins on the heads to loose the heat. Plastic heads are a complete no for this reason.

wonski

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119561985#Comment_119561985

I agree with most points except the one that if you look after the tires - whatever it means - you have less chance of a puncture.

I had punctures twice in short space of time, on both occasions it was something on the road that caused it and these were tires with good thread on them (one just few weeks old).

I had no punctures for 14 years and then 2 in just few weeks. Completely random events depending on the roads you drive on and what's left on them.

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119566118#Comment_119566118

Yeah mine was pure bad luck. I'm pretty sure I know when it happened as well, there was some debris on the road, looked like broken up bits of plywood

My guess is that it was from a demolition job and fell off a skip truck. So it probably had nails and screws everywhere

I managed to avoid the majority of it but caught one small bit

There's only so much you can do to avoid it, no point in causing an accident while trying to avoid an accident

User1998

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119566118#Comment_119566118

I find it mad when I hear people going that long without a puncture. I’ve had at least 15 punctures in the past 5 years

zg3409

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119567482#Comment_119567482

He had good tyres with lots of thread!

Some people drive little and on city streets that are swept by road sweeper regularly and don't have pot holes nor building sites or general debris.

I have found with barely legal tyres your far more likely to pick up a small nail or screw.

Many tyre places fix nails and screws without removing the tyre from the car, using tools a diy person could carry in the boot.

the_amazing_raisin

Quick update, I ended up getting a 12v inflator from Amazon basics

https://amzn.eu/d/ebdfKCj

Not the cheapest bit of kit, but it got good reviews. When I tested it out it was way better than the tiny cheap plastic ones that are in most breakdown kits, and much quieter to boot

Also has an auto cutoff so you don't have to watch the pressure gauge constantly

Fits in the lower boot space of an ID.4 and has a nice carrying case, plus the hose is long enough to reach all 4 tyres

Next purchase will probably be a trolley jack and some tyre plugs. I know scissor jacks are much cheaper but I've seen a bunch of them break, so I don't trust them

the_amazing_raisin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119590401#Comment_119590401

So I've noticed there seems to be two types of plug. There's the temp ones which you can fit without taking the tyre off the rim, and the more permanent ones where you do need to take them off

The temp ones seem to be either the rubber strip things that you push in, or a mushroom shaped plug that you screw in with a special tool

I think I might get the temp mushroom plugs for the breakdown kit. They look a bit easier to use and they only need to last long enough to get to the tyre shop

mikeecho

I've run flats, I got a worm kit

(something like this.. Car Tire Repair Tool Tire Repair Kit

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mPHehq8 )

from Ali express and a tyre inflater from Aldi

No need to spend major money, it's just to get you to your next stop.

My bm trouble you, has absolutely f uc kin g nothing for when you get a puncher.