Nobody likes lugging around junk in their trunk, but a few key automotive accessories can make the difference between being stranded by the side of road and getting on your way to safety. Key to roadside
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Nobody likes lugging around junk in their trunk, but a few key automotive accessories can make the difference between being stranded by the side of road and getting on your way to safety. Key to roadside emergency preparedness is a mini tire inflator, which can boost tire pressure by drawing power from the car battery, cigarette lighter adaptor or a built-in battery. But it’s not just about unexpected puncture or slow leaks; maintaining proper air pressure also sharpens handling and improves fuel economy.
Off roaders have to let air out of their tires before roaming over rocky, uneven terrain. As soon as they return to the pavement, a mini tire inflator can easily refill the tires back to optimized pressure levels. Recreationalists also can use mini air pumps on the fly to top off tires on mountain bikes, dirt bikes and dual sport motorcycles.
On newer cars, optimal tire pressure is commonly listed on a sticker inside of the driver’s door and it’s measured in pounds per square inch, or psi. The owner’s manual is also a good resource. The psi rating on the tire sidewall is the maximum inflation level. If the tire is filled to that level, the ride quality will be affected. Maintaining tire pressure is especially important in extreme weather. Air contracts when temperatures drop, so a tire’s pressure declines 1 to 2, for every 10-degree Fahrenheit dip. On the other hand, as temperatures rise in the summer, air pressure increases.
Some tire inflators are more portable than others, which is why we categorize them as mini. Mini tire inflators often come with a stowable bag that keeps the air pump itself and all of the accompanying accessories together. Our list of Best Portable Tire Inflators features pumps that are stashable in the car, but are also suitable for home use. Mini tire pumps are ideal for storing inside the vehicle and assist in a pinch in a roadside emergency. Here are our top five choices for mini portable tire inflators.
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