Keeping your tire properly inflated can improve gas mileage by 0.3% on average, according to the US Department of Energy. But most of us are too lazy to look for quarters necessary to inflate the tires. But many drivers do not know that there are several places where you can get free air for your tires.
How to find places that offer free air?
Find Places That Offer Free Air at FreeAirPump.com
You can go to freeairpump.com, put in your zip code or address, and find the places near you that offer free air.
I have had a good experience with this website. But it is worth noting that the data on this website is user-generated, so it is not definitive but works most of the time.
Regional Gas Stations
Regional gas stations like QuikTrip and Wawa offer free gas. Even if your gas station doesn’t offer free air, if you are a customer who purchased gas, the attendant will be happy to turn the air on for you if you ask.
Discount Tire
Discount Tire offers free air whether you have been a customer in the past or not.
Dealerships
Many dealerships also complimentary air for your tires.
Oil change places
If you regularly get oil changes at a place such as Jiffy Lube or Valvoline, they will be happy to inflate your tire for free.
Free Air in Some States By Law
California and Vermont require gas stations to offer free air. Even if the machine charges you, you can go inside and ask for a refund in those states.
Benefits of properly inflating tires
- Properly inflated tires improve gas mileage and save money
- Inflating the tires to the recommended pressure increases safety.
- A properly inflated tire is less likely to fail at high speeds
- Underinflated tires skid on wet surfaces and increase your stopping distance
- Properly inflated tires wear more evenly than underinflated tires and hence will last longer
Consider getting a portable air compressor and gauge
If you don’t like going to a gas station or a tire place to get air, get a digital gauge and a portable air compressor. They will pay for themselves very quickly.
In addition to inflating your tire, the portable compressor will also come in handy when you have to inflate soccer or basketballs
Use a bike pump
You can pump air into your vehicle’s tires using a bike pump. It may take a few minutes but is a cheap way to do it.
Where to find the recommended pressure for your tire?
The recommended tire pressure for your vehicle is usually founded on the sticker in the driver’s side door job. If you don’t see it there, look for it in the glove box or in the owner’s manual.
Do not use the maximum pressure printed on the tire – that is the maximum pressure that your tire can take. If you try to inflate your tires to that pressure, the tire may blow out.
Bottom Line
Properly inflating your tires increases the mileage of your vehicle, saves money, and keeps you safe. There are several places that will inflate your tires for free. But having a portable compressor and pressure gauge is an investment that will pay off easily.