Can You Fill Car Tire With Bike Pump

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06-04-2008, 10:38 AM

Location: Bike to Surf! 3,080 posts, read 10,509,598 times Reputation: 3007

Probably a stupid question. Too cheap to pay 50c for a gas station pump with a bad valve and a broken gauge, can I use my bike pump? It's the same standard valve, right? The PSI values are lower than a bike tire (35 PSI for most car tires, 80 for my bike). Is there any reason a bike pump wouldn't work on a car tire? Obviously the volume of air is higher, so you'll be pumping for a long time, but other than that, is there any reason a bike hand pump can't be used on a car tire?

06-04-2008, 11:32 AM

Bummer Location: Southern Arizona 9,529 posts, read 29,109,442 times Reputation: 11452

Quote: Originally Posted by sponger42 Probably a stupid question. Too cheap to pay 50c for a gas station pump with a bad valve and a broken gauge, can I use my bike pump? It's the same standard valve, right? The PSI values are lower than a bike tire (35 PSI for most car tires, 80 for my bike). Is there any reason a bike pump wouldn't work on a car tire? Obviously the volume of air is higher, so you'll be pumping for a long time, but other than that, is there any reason a bike hand pump can't be used on a car tire? Interesting question, sponger . . . More than likely, it is possible but be prepared for lots of pumping because of the volume of air involved in the Automobile Tire. Personally, I would drop by Costco or Discount Tire (or similar) as they usually check the pressure NO CHARGE! Good Luck

06-04-2008, 11:36 AM

27,777 posts, read 58,409,678 times Reputation: 22425

Yes... no reason why it wouldn't work with a quality pump... My uncle had a fishing boat on a trailer that he let my use. The 15" tires were flat and I used a hand pump to inflate... it took forever on the first one... on the second one, I only put enough air in the tire to drive to the gas station and use their air

06-04-2008, 11:54 AM

silverfox 692 posts, read 2,968,861 times Reputation: 356

You might want to check around to see if you can find a 12v plug in auto tire model. Since this charging for everything is the wave of the future you could use it again and again.

06-04-2008, 12:01 PM

DaSkorpion Location: Lived Large in Parsippany NJ - Lived Larger in Livingston, NJ -- Now Living Huge in Bethlehem PA 460 posts, read 2,098,772 times Reputation: 447

Wow Its going to be a very intensive workout for a couple of days depending on how dedicated you are....maybe a month the most..!!! =========== Quote: Originally Posted by sponger42 Probably a stupid question. Too cheap to pay 50c for a gas station pump with a bad valve and a broken gauge, can I use my bike pump? It's the same standard valve, right? The PSI values are lower than a bike tire (35 PSI for most car tires, 80 for my bike). Is there any reason a bike pump wouldn't work on a car tire? Obviously the volume of air is higher, so you'll be pumping for a long time, but other than that, is there any reason a bike hand pump can't be used on a car tire?

06-04-2008, 12:16 PM

NWPAguy 681 posts, read 2,733,293 times Reputation: 540

Quote: Originally Posted by sponger42 Probably a stupid question. Too cheap to pay 50c for a gas station pump with a bad valve and a broken gauge, can I use my bike pump? It's the same standard valve, right? The PSI values are lower than a bike tire (35 PSI for most car tires, 80 for my bike). Is there any reason a bike pump wouldn't work on a car tire? Obviously the volume of air is higher, so you'll be pumping for a long time, but other than that, is there any reason a bike hand pump can't be used on a car tire? Yes, you can pump a car tire with a bike pump. I've done it before. However, you'll have to be prepared to give a good 150 pumps at least for a tire that is only somewhat flat. A totally flat tire would require probably 400 pumps at least... you can figure on not needing your daily trip to the gym after that experience.

06-04-2008, 12:42 PM

Donn2390 Location: Apple Valley Calif 7,474 posts, read 21,659,295 times Reputation: 5651

Even using those cheap electric pumps takes a very lont time to make any difference. Using a hand tie pump, you won't live long enought to air up a passanger car tire. You could drive to the station, spend your quarter, fill up the tires, have dinner, take in a movie and still be time ahead of trying it with a hand pump..!

06-04-2008, 12:43 PM

Location: Bike to Surf! 3,080 posts, read 10,509,598 times Reputation: 3007

LOL, thanks! I'm actually just topping off a full tire, thus I don't want to spend the 50c on the gas station pump, (and more truthfully the $1.50 worth of gas to get there or costco, turn the engine off, and turn it back on again)

06-04-2008, 12:52 PM

ElkHunter Location: Spots Wyoming 18,696 posts, read 39,196,250 times Reputation: 2147483647

I'd spend the $12 at Wal-Mart for a "Plug it in the cigarette lighter air pump". I have one in each vehicle. They work great.

06-04-2008, 01:21 PM

M3 Mitch Location: Eastern Washington 15,805 posts, read 50,849,348 times Reputation: 15570

Unless you don't have room for it, get a ~1hp "regular" air compressor at Sears or similar. Get one with wheels - you will wonder how you ever got along without it - if you are at all into DIY, that is. A 12V unit that plugs into the cigarette lighter plug is also handy to have, more portable, but less versatile than a 110V unit. But, yeah, been there, done that, the hand pump is more work but will get 'er done eventually.

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Can You Fill Car Tire With Bike Pump

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