do you really need a portable air compressor?

[BMWM3Man]

Does this VacLife Air Compressor trip the Tesla's circuit breaker on its 12V outlet or the compressor's fuse? I've had both of those problems with a Slime digital tire inflator. Also it takes futzing running the power wire to the 12V outlet with the inflator to top up all the tires.

So I've been using my floor-standing bike tire pump. It works great!

I might try this VacLife unit or the 12 | 120V TEROMAS unit that @tm1v2 recommended.



Mind doesn't have that problem. Is your pump a floor standing unit like @3sr+buyer pictured?

It does not "trip the Tesla 12V outlet or compressor's fuse".

 

[Willy’sEV]

The bike pump works great, but not on a M3 with the aero hubs because the aero hub is covering part of the tire valve and you cannot lock the pump valve around it without take off the aero hubs. One poster recommended an extension piece, another part and more hassle.

 

[dhrivnak]

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)?

I have used mine thrice now. Glad I have it.

 

[dhrivnak]

The bike pump works great, but not on a M3 with the aero hubs because the aero hub is covering part of the tire valve and you cannot lock the pump valve around it without take off the aero hubs. One poster recommended an extension piece, another part and more hassle.

I have not had a problem with a bike pump and my aero wheels.

 

[pikeman]

Nope. You can carry one of these.

 

[BMWM3Man]

I'm just going to carry these in my frunk...

 

[RayK]

I'm just going to carry these in my frunk...

View attachment 804463

Nah, you need the bigger patch for tire punctures:

 

[Willy’sEV]

Nope. You can carry one of these.

Pikeman, have you used this on your M3? Do you have the aero hub caps on the car?
I tried a pump that is similar and could not lock the pump valve on the tire valve because the aero hubs blocked a good portion of the valve.

 

[yerEVan]

I have a compressor in my garage. I use it for everything, including the impact wrench I use to rotate/change my tires. In all my life, I’ve never needed a compressor in my car.

If you wouldn’t mind telling. What make/model impact wrench do you have?

 

[TBrownTX]

Yes, if nor no other reason than to air up your tires in the fall when the temperature drops. Portable/battery powered is so much easier than a full sized compressor or paying at the gas station (yech). My family has 4 cars so I use mine all the time. Great investment not to mention useful for flats, etc.

Compressor: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07H39S9JQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Fancy Case: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SZ44NZT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

Tim

 

[MaskedRacerX]

This is not a difference of opinion, but asking more knowledgeable audience their opinion.

If I don't have a pump and plug kit, then I absolutely will have to depend on roadside service / a tow truck, so for me, it's to have the potential for a self-fix, it might not be possible, but I'd hate for to have been a 15 minute quick fix, get back on the road vs. a 2-3 hour (or longer) wait. I figure for the <$100 and pretty minimal storage space, it's worth the positive feels

FWIW, I have a bigger, not-really-portable compressor in the garage for tires, SUP boards, whatever, so this is just for having in the car.

 

[CaptUAL]

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)?

You will Never need one.....UNLESS you don't have one. Applies to fire extinguishers, Guns, Jackets, water and money too. ( I got the Ryobi: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08G1XVCCK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 )

 

[afadeev]

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?

Only as important as it might be for you to avoid getting stranded in the middle of nowhere, waiting for roadside assistance to arrive.
Depending on the roads you drive and where you live, the answers may vary.
I carry tire repair and inflation pumps in all my cars, including TM3P.

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)?

No, Tesla's do not regularly loose air out of the tires (outside of seasonal fluctuations), any more then any other cars do, or do not.
But they are as likely as any other car to pickup a nail on the road, and don't have a spare.

Historically, I've probably had to patch at least one tire puncture in one of my cars annually. Some years it may be 2-3, others 0.
But on average, it's ~1/year, and usually, on longer road trips into areas unknow.

HTH,
a

 

[RipVanFinkle]

If you wouldn’t mind telling. What make/model impact wrench do you have?

I got some no-name Chinese one off of Amazon for about $90. So far so good. I’ve only used it twice and I figure it’s paid for itself.

 

[TBrownTX]

If you are a real man, you have a jump start/compressor combo in your garage. As well as a jack, jack stands, torque wrench, and an assortment of sockets to work on the cars.
If you are a girly man, you don't need any of the above.

This right here.

Tim

 

[OliverM3]

I got some no-name Chinese one off of Amazon for about $90. So far so good. I’ve only used it twice and I figure it’s paid for itself.

I haven't used my air tools since swapping everything to Milwaukee, I was actually caulking with one today. It's so smooth a battery powered caulk gun

 

[ucmndd]

Do you really need a portable air compressor?

Definitely not, right up until you do.

 

[pikeman]

This is the one I got, primarily so I could fit it in the Tesla mobile connector bag to carry it. I used it to pump up the tire I plugged just to test it and it worked OK. I can't give any glowing endorsements since I just bought it and tested it but I guess it makes me feel better carrying it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09JTW3L7K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Edit: says unavailable now. Wonder why? Maybe it catches on fire. Anyway, I'm sure there are more like it.

Mike

Currently unavailable!

 

[ODWms]

I’ve had 2 punctures in my car since new (3 1/2 years), and both times I took care of it on the side of the road, while on the car, in less than 15 minutes. One time, with the puncture on a rear tire, we were on our way to dinner on vacation and made it right on time for the reservation.