Tyre Pressure Machines

[chrissa1]

I've been to two garages to check my tyre pressures. I have no idea if I have inflated them to the correct pressure.

The old machines were easy. You connected the nozzle to your tyre valve and the pressure of the tyre came up on a little gauge. You then inflated the tyre to the correct pressure, job done.

Now, you have to put the pressure you want on to the dial and engage the nozzle. Nothing seems to happen until the gauge starts to fall, in my mind, deflating the tyre.

Panic and remove nozzle quickly!!!!!! What am I doing wrong.

[carrust]

Are you putting any money in the machine? Most garages now charge for using the compressor;-(

[sherrardk]

You're panicking! Put the pressure ou want in the machine, put nozzle on the bit sticking out of the tyre. Nothing seems to happen but it will (eventually) and it will beep at you when it is done. (I panicked the first time I used the new style machines.) if v desperate, ask for help.

[chrissa1]

Yes, of course I am putting in money, carrust, 40p.

Why did the numbers start falling though, sherrdark?

[chrissa1]

I never get your name right sherr. Soz.

[Fitzer]

Because your tyres are below the pressure you have set, so as you start the pressure on the display will drop to the pressure it detects in your tyres, it will then begin to pump them off before cutting out at the pressure you have specified. Without wishing to teach anyone to suck eggs, you are sure that both you and the machine are working either in Bar or PSI and not mixing and matching?

[gingejbee]

I have never used a forecourt unit for tyre inflation...sounds like good fun...not.

[chrissa1]

PSI, Fitzer.
That is probably where I am going wrong. It doesn't tell you that the machine doesn't start working straightaway. The old ones showed you immediately what your tyre pressure was and you acted accordingly. Increasing or decreasing the pressure accordingly.

Why do they to "make something more up to date?" If it ain't broke, why fix it??

Rainy over. Thanks for your input, all. Another visit to the garage, methinks.

[chrissa1]

Rant, not rainy. ^^

[Fitzer]

Well the old ones were notoriously inaccurate as the gauges kept getting battered, with the new ones you don't need to decide whether your tyres are over or under pressure as the machine will bring them to the pressure youu have set.

[chrissa1]

I must be a bit of a Luddite.

[woofgang]

I love them, so easy provided you are sure they are accurate. Set the pressure on the machine, put nozzle on tyre, hold it steady and wait for loud beep, remove and move on to next tyre. I check the tyres at home (once cool) after I have checked them at the garage to be sure(ish) that the garage gauge is right.

[carrust]

I've bought myself a compressor that works off the fag lighter in the car. It cost me £14-00 and it also comes in for inflating camp beds, wheelbarrow wheels etc.

[chrissa1]

My fag lighter has just stopped working, carrust. However, now I know how it works, I'll be heading back to the garage tomorrow.