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Car Tire Size / Tire accessories / Inflators

Portable tire inflators

A portable inflator is a small air compressor that brings a low tire back to the right pressure, at home or on the road. It plugs into the car's 12-volt socket or runs on its own battery.

What to check before you buy

  • 12-volt or cordless: a cordless one is quicker to use; a 12-volt one never runs flat as long as the car is running.
  • An auto shut-off stops at the pressure you set. Check the result with a separate gauge once in a while.
  • Make sure the hose or the cord reaches all four wheels.
  • An inflator is not a repair: a tire that keeps losing air needs to be looked at.

How to use it

  1. With a 12-volt inflator, start the engine first so the battery is not drained.
  2. Screw or clip the hose onto the valve.
  3. Set the pressure from the sticker inside the driver's door and start the pump.
  4. When it stops, take the hose off quickly, check with a gauge, and put the cap back.

Portable tire inflators listed on eBay

Sources: Tire Rack, "Tire Inflation Pressure" (tirerack.com), read October 14, 2026.