First time Tesla owner soon. I've seen lots of threads discussing different brands of air compressors. What I'm unclear on is how important is it really to get one? How important is it to either have one in your garage at home or to take it with you? Are Tesla tires constantly losing air pressure? I understand that heavier car + more powerful car == tires wear out more quickly, but do I really need to own this device and/or take it with me? For folks who have one, about how often have you needed to use it (say, per 10K miles driven)?
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do you really need a portable air compressor?
- Thread starter rhaining
- Start date
Has nothing to do with being a Tesla...
Easiest investment ever to throw in the trunk...
Hasn't happened on our Teslas yet but with my BMW went into a restaurant and came out with a tire too low to drive...4 minutes later driving home.
Tire light comes on in winter, bikes around the house etc. No brainer.
We have one of these in each of our Tesla's and one in my Spider....put one in each of the kid's Jeeps too...on sale for $21.99 and works great.
Easiest investment ever to throw in the trunk...
Hasn't happened on our Teslas yet but with my BMW went into a restaurant and came out with a tire too low to drive...4 minutes later driving home.
Tire light comes on in winter, bikes around the house etc. No brainer.
We have one of these in each of our Tesla's and one in my Spider....put one in each of the kid's Jeeps too...on sale for $21.99 and works great.
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E90alex
Active Member
It’s not that Teslas lose air more easily, it’s a backup because the cars don’t have a spare tire.
Now if you have a blowout or other catastrophic tire failure the air compressor isn’t going to help you. But if you have a slow leak from a nail you can top off with the compressor and drive carefully to a tire shop. Otherwise you would need a tow truck.
Now if you have a blowout or other catastrophic tire failure the air compressor isn’t going to help you. But if you have a slow leak from a nail you can top off with the compressor and drive carefully to a tire shop. Otherwise you would need a tow truck.
You sold me, I ordered one
E90alex
Active Member
Same. I was just going to transfer the one I had in my current car once I get my Model 3 but for $20+Tax it doesn’t hurt to have one in each car.
dduffey
Member
I bought a portable Ryobi battery powered compressor for the bikes, balls, etc and now I leave it in the car and use it for the car as well.
RyanS
Ka-chow
I have Ryobi compressor and works great. I actually used it last night to inflated MS tire before I tookit to a tire shop. Big nail in one of the back tires. Much easier to use it than 12v portable compressor. But only concern I have with Ryobi is that battery may die when you need it.
Thanks for recommendation, can’t beat the price, ordered one myself
MaskedRacerX
Member
I have this in my cart right now, for a little peace-of-mind for a trip next month. Mostly just I95 (down to the Keys), but having the option (if possible) for a quick roadside repair vs. waiting for Tesla/tow truck for under $100 and very little space taken up, makes me feel better ...
This compressor does wireless (and wired) which I figured would be a bit easier (and the reviews indicate pretty high output) but that's a killer deal on the compressor that @BMWM3Man linked to.
This compressor does wireless (and wired) which I figured would be a bit easier (and the reviews indicate pretty high output) but that's a killer deal on the compressor that @BMWM3Man linked to.
Besides having no spare, another reason is that, while they’re ubiquitous at gas stations, public air compressors aren’t commonly found where EVs charge (especially if you mostly charge at home or work). On top of that, we don’t take our cars in for regular oil changes and other predictable service events where tire pressures are checked/adjusted; Tesla doesn’t even recommend rotations at specific intervals (well, it keeps changing in the OM).
ATPMSD
Active Member
Make sure you get one that will plug into the 12v outlet in the car!
I have the Tesla one in my car, but I don't think they sell it anymore.
Bought this for my wife's car:
Bought this for my wife's car:
I too bought a small portable compressor and a good tire plug kit. I measured them so they both fit in the Tesla mobile connector charging bag. It sits in the cubby under the trunk and with the Tesla bag, it doesn't move around or rattle. I don't carry the mobile connector so it works for me.
Mike
Mike
I have a Dewlt portable compressor in my car. Haven’t needed it for the Tesla, but I did use it a few weeks ago for my daughters car (I think I posted about it before)- she got a flat, called me instead of AAA. I changed the tire, but the spare was very low on air. Luckily I had the compressor in my trunk, so was able to fill up her spare and we were good to go.
I also have a plug kit, but don’t use them anymore. I’ve run into a couple tire shops now that won’t touch a tire that’s been plugged. A real hassle.
I also have a plug kit, but don’t use them anymore. I’ve run into a couple tire shops now that won’t touch a tire that’s been plugged. A real hassle.
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