Having Trouble Putting Air In Tire? (Why and How To Fix It)
Ideally, putting air in your tire does not take a degree in rocket science. But some situations are not your fault. You just have to take the time to go through the different parts of the air compressor to see if the source of your problem is there
One of the problems that may create this situation is that you have set your air compressor to low. If you need 105 PSI in your tires and you set the compressor for 90 or 100 PSI, then you will not get any air into your tires. Check your air pressure setting first.
To learn more about this issue, just continue to read our article. It has the information you need to know so you can apply the right solution. Take a few minutes to see how this important information can solve a problem for you when it comes to putting air in your tires.
Having Trouble Putting Air in a Tire
It is generally not user error that creates this problem. That should take some worry off your mind. But you should check the different parts of the generator first before you do anything else.
The first place you should look is the air pressure regulator valve. This has to be opened up all the way for the compressor to transfer air to the tires. Sometimes the valve is faulty and the gauge does not show the correct data.
If this is the problem, the only solution you may have is to return it and exchange your faulty unit for a new model. Then you may have gotten a very cheap aid chuck, the part that connects the compressor to the tire valve.
This part does not seem to work right every time and you may have to get another one to replace it. There is no real fix if the air chuck is faulty. This seems to be the case for many of the failures one certain brand has had over the years.
If you can, bring your receipt to the store and get an exchange for a better model of air chuck and try that out.
Why Can't I Pump Air Into my Tire?
Besides the air chuck and the air regulator pressure gauge, other parts may cause this problem. One is that you may have added chrome tire valve extenders to your tires.
These look good on your vehicle but they also have a habit of not letting the stem be depressed far enough to allow the air exchange. To solve this issue, you should remove those extensions so your air chuck has full access to the tire valve stem.
Then if that doesn’t solve the problem, check your air pressure settings. It has to be at the same level or higher than the air pressure level the tire needs. If you didn’t set the compressor’s air pressure high enough, it won’t pump air into your tire.
For example, if your tire needs 36 PSI, then your air compressor should be set for 36 or above. Also, you should check for any air leaks in your air compressor. Even a small leak can lower the PSI in the unit and cause it not to function right.
You may get a short burst of air but after that nothing. That nothing is due to an air leak somewhere on the compressor.
Can You Fill a Flat Tire With an Air Compressor?
Yes, you can as long as the air compressor is powerful enough to deliver the air you need. Not every air compressor can be used for every tire. Some tires require more air pressure than the compressor can deliver.
You would have to buy a unit that produces more than enough air pressure to fill the tires on your tow vehicle, RV, or travel trailer. Plus, air compressors are great when you are not near a gas station or other business that supplies pressured air for tires.
Then if you are not getting any air transfer, you may have to open the air compressor all the way or to at least 15 PSI than the tire needs. Those settings should give the machine enough power to deliver the air.
For example, if you need 95 PSI, you would have to set the air compressor to 110 PSI or higher to fill your tires. The setting level has a lot to do with the air compressor being successful or not.
Many RV owners have bought their own air compressors so they do not have to hunt down a gas station with an air pump or a tire store to get air. They are a key tool to have on hand. Just make sure the one you buy gives you more than enough PSI when turned on.
The Air Compressor Won't Fill The Tire
This situation is not always the air compressor’s fault. If you have a big hole in your tire, then you are simply wasting your time. The hole will let the air escape as fast as the air compressor is putting it in.
To find out if the tire is at fault, but a little air in your tire and listen. You should be able to hear the air escape. If not, put a little soap water all over your tire or put the tire in a tub large enough to hold it and water.
The bubbles in either case will let you know where the hole is and how big. Once you know that, it is a matter of fixing the hole. Then the air compressor can do its job. But this is just one reason why the air compressor does not fill your tire with air.
Another reason is that the wiring on the unit is bad, loose or there is some corrosion somewhere. Or the connections may be loose or bad. Check the wiring to make sure nothing is wrong with it.
We have talked about the faulty regulator and the air chuck so there is no point in rehashing those words. If the first two issues are not the problem go to these two parts. if the air compressor is still under warranty, exchange it for another one.
How To Fill a Tire With an Air Compressor
This is not that hard to do. The first step would be to turn the air compressor on and set the pressure to the PSI level you need. Usually, you should set it to about 15 PSI higher than you need.
As the air pressure is building in the compressor, go to your tire, bring the air hose with you, and remove the tire valve cover. Make sure to put that in a place where it won’t roll away from you and get lost.
Once the compressor is ready, put the air chuck on the tire valve and press down. Then once the connection is made, pull the trigger to transfer the air. That is all there is to it.
After, you are done, remove the air chuck, put the valve cover back on and unplug your compressor, and put it away. Make sure to roll up the hose so that there are no kinks in the line.
Kinks take time to work out when you want to put air in your tire.
How Long To Fill a Tire With an Air Compressor?
This will depend on how much air pressure you need. It won’t take long to do if you are only going from 30 PSI to 36 PSI. Less than a minute is all that is needed to do this objective.
If you are going from 0 to 30 PSI, then it should take about 1 minute and 20 seconds. If you are going from 20 PSI to 145 PSI then it may take you about 10 minutes to do. But that time is not set in stone as it will depend on the type of air compressor you are using.
Larger air compressors take far less time than smaller ones to fill a tire. Small ones are good for small tires that do not need a lot of air in them. Check your tire pressure level to help you decide which size of air compressor you will need.
Some Final Words
It is not always user error that causes the air compressor failure. Different parts play an important role in filling tires with air. Check them out first to make sure they are the problem.
Sometimes, you do get a bad compressor and have to take it or the air chuck back to the store for a replacement or your money back. Manufacturers do use cheap parts or build their products cheaply so be careful when you buy.
