I KNOW I am supposed to check the tire pressure when the car hasn't been driven. I generally FORGET that until I get to one of the few (umm...here in town, the ONLY) station(s) with free air (when I try to use the ones that'll give a token if you buy gas there, they generally shut down well before I get to all four tires). My question/dilemma/whatever...I almost always forget to check the tire pressure before I start driving, no matter that I've left my digital pressure gauge like on my seat. So, it comes down to--I don't check the pressure anywhere near as frequently as I should. I just went out to check it, since I just thought about it. It's about 46 degrees outside now, and not likely much higher in the garage. It's been at least one month since I checked the tires cold. I seem to recall reading on some thread here that I should check the tires cold, then, once I get to the pump, to check the pressures again and add the right amount to get it where it should be (i.e., cold pressure is, say 40 and I want 42, at the air pump, I should check the pressure and add 2lbs). Now, I've seen here on PC various theories about optimal tire pressure, and have, for whatever reason, decided the 42 front and 40 rear is what I want in my Michelin Hydroedge tires (that have about 10k miles on them). Again...I know I go WAY too long between checks, but, just now, 2 of the tires are showing .5 lbs too low, and one was about 2lbs over (I released the extra air from that one). I've had similar readings at similar "too long" between readings. Am I doing something wrong????
I think what you are doing is OK. I try to remember to do it once every couple of weeks but I'm sure I've gone a month between checks sometimes also. I check mine to make sure one tire isn't way lower than the other three because that would indicate a leak. Temperature does make quite a difference so I try to check them when one side hasn't been setting in the sun or something. I usually keep all four of mine at 44 lbs, I have tried using the 2 lb difference and frankly I can see no difference. BTW you can get a little air compressor for not to much money at an auto parts store or a hardware store, they plug into the 12V convenience outlet. It takes a little longer but it will put air in the tires and you don't have to go to a gas station for it. If you use one on your Prius I recommend keeping the car turned on when you use it because of the small 12V battery. They can be handy to have it you have a flat tire with a fairly slow leak, you can put air in it and drive to where you can get it fixed instead of changing it or making a service call.
My "investment" in equipment to maintain tire pressures: [attachmentid=7241] [attachmentid=7242] I very soon became disenchanted with getting on my knees on pavement (sometimes gravelly - sometimes cold and/or wet, or hot and steamy), putting a foot on the air hose to keep it from retracting and paying at least twice to air all four tires trying to use a cheap, inaccurate pencil gauge or questionable digital gauge, and making a special short drive to avoid trying to check tire pressures with hot tires. I bought the 12v mini-compressor at WallMart and ordered the professional grade analog tire gauge from Racer Parts Wholesale - I got to 60# capacity for the high-pressure spare. Also serves to maintain the tires in our other car - Camry. As you can see, this equipment 'lives' in the cargo area storage compartment on the left side.
Rufaro, I don't think you are doing anything wrong. The Pep Boys tires on my Intrigue seem to hold air more consistantly than the Goodyears on my Prius. Get the portable air compressor.
rufaro, you're not doing anything wrong. wouldn't hurt to check more often but hey. monthly is better than many folks. and you usually do have to adjust things a bit after that amount of time anyway. tumbleweed, haven't seen ya much lately, glad to see you're still around the forums.
Thanks, all! I'm angling for the home compressor, but dh isn't convinced. Gonna email him this thread! B)
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Charles Suitt @ Apr 3 2007, 11:33 AM) [snapback]417133[/snapback]</div> Did you coat your trunk mat? If so, what did you use?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Apr 3 2007, 07:27 PM) [snapback]417380[/snapback]</div> Thanks for the welcome back galaxee, I have been doing a bit or traveling and haven't been around much for the last three months or so.
Hi snowdog650 The cargo area mat is an ExactMat <span style="color:#000000">but it appears they are no longer made. They were purchased from www.metroptn.com in late 2004 for my 1st Prius, then moved to my 2007 when I traded but metro no longer lists them. A Google search also failed to find them. They were heavy translucent plastic with 'teeth' on the underside to keep them from sliding on the carpets. They were very much like an office chair mat designed for use on carpet. CIAO </span>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Charles Suitt @ Apr 4 2007, 01:01 PM) [snapback]417774[/snapback]</div> Hmmm ... thanks for the intel. Sounds like a direct challenge for a DIY ... I'll get on that this weekend. Cheerio.
Almost mother's day...am I a tad peculiar as I have asked for a digital air compressor for the Pri? (Quiet, please, Galaxee!!!)
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rufaro @ May 3 2007, 01:11 AM) [snapback]434597[/snapback]</div> Dear Rufaro: I am sure you meant a digital pressure gauge. The compressor itself is mechanical machine and is not digital... When I don't have access to a compressor as you described in your initial post, I also do the following: When I get to the gas station I add a bit of air to all of the tires; in essence assuring myself that I have slightly overfilled them all. The next morning, when the tires are cold, I measure the pressure and bleed off the excess air to bring the pressure to where I want it to be. When I overfill slightly - I am talking a couple of PSI... and I just know from experience about how much air that is. Obviously, you don't want to pressure up your tire to 60 or 70 PSI. Once a month is actually quite fine for topping up your tire pressure. If you keep your tires to within 2 PSI of your target - that is good enough.... the world is just not that precise or sensitive to changes. Have fun and enjoy your DIGITAL Compressor... teee heeee....
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(John in LB @ May 3 2007, 01:57 AM) [snapback]434602[/snapback]</div> Ummmm....noooooooooooooo........... I already have a digital gauge, which tells me the tire pressure. I want a doojigger wot reads out in digital numbers as it adds air to my tires. Is that not a compressor?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(John in LB @ May 3 2007, 05:57 AM) [snapback]434602[/snapback]</div> Well, My compressor operates in Binary Mode - The switch is apparently ON or OFF
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rufaro @ May 3 2007, 02:27 AM) [snapback]434608[/snapback]</div> I understand what you want, a combination pack. Unfortunately, the readin will never that accurate when it is built into the compressor. And I don't know if anyone makes a compressor with a built in digital pressure gauge.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(John in LB @ May 3 2007, 12:41 PM) [snapback]434982[/snapback]</div> So...the doojiggers in all the catalogues are pointless? Alla them wot say they can measure up to 60psi? As opposed to the little shirt pocket weiner gauges, then going to use similar at the gas station? I can't do better somehow? So...what's the point, really...if I want 42 front and 40 rear pressure...HOW do I get that????
