# gas station air hoses **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 31, 2014, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-station-air-hoses/708620 "2014-12-31T14:55:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Aquadementia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aquadementia/32/555_2.png) [@Aquadementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aquadementia)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-station-air-hoses/708620/21 "2015-01-01T01:02:32Z")
The air hose is often why I prefer one gas station over the other. It’s getting that soon they will all be equally bad so that won’t make a difference. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-station-air-hoses/708620/22 "2015-01-01T01:03:43Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > If they were almost the size of a Hershey’s Kiss they were/are eucalyptus seed pods. Ubiquitous in SoCal. Some breeds were smaller, but most were bigger than standard chocolate chips. These were about the size of chocolate chips. I don’t think they were eucalyptus; the trees didn’t smell like them. The leaves were about an inch and a half to two inches long, narrow and pointed at both ends, ISTR waxy (shiny), and bowed. I’ll ask in GQ. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Goob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c77e96/32.png) [@Mr.Goob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Goob)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-station-air-hoses/708620/23 "2015-01-01T01:12:40Z")
So glad I run a machine shop with a monster compressor and have multiple air lines. Funny thing, the building is from 1920 and was a dealership service station until the 1960’s. On the wall is the original bell that was originally hooked up to the pnumatic lines that gave the “ding ding” whenever a car pulled in. One day after a few cold frothy beverages we tried to reassemble it. Grown men jumping up and down on an air hose in the parking lot laughing like loons. Wonder what the neighbors thought? Well it was a change from the fires or loud booms we are known for… ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-station-air-hoses/708620/24 "2015-01-01T03:49:18Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > I remember free air too, with the little bell. Same here. Most of the air stations around me have worked in that they pump air. Never, in my life, have I found one that actually pumps the inflation you set it for (if it has the little dial you can set). They are always off at least 2-3 pounds and sometimes as much as 8-10. If I’m going to piss around with a gauge and all I may as well fire over my own and be done with it. Also few station pumps will do the 60psi my fake spare needs. My rinky-dink home unit will do 125. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-station-air-hoses/708620/25 "2015-01-01T04:25:13Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > I remember when our tires _were_ rocks! > > (Seriously, my first skateboard had ceramic wheels.) Youngster! Get off my lawn. We made our first skate boards by hammering street skate (the kind with a key) flat and nailing them to a 2X4. Steel wheels just like God intended. When clay wheels came along it was likes I died and gone to heaven. ---
**Author:** ![DingoelGringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9d8465/32.png) [@DingoelGringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DingoelGringo)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-station-air-hoses/708620/26 "2015-01-01T04:28:56Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > I remember free air too, with the little bell. > > Now, it’s always some combo vacume cleaner/air hose and you just know it’s not going to work. In fact, the other night it actually let more aire out of my tires while I was trying to top it off. It’s such a small thing, but I can’t seem to find a working air hose. For $79.50 you can buy a compressor with an air hose and tire fitting. It’ll last for years if you don’t use it for other things and you don’t have to look for it, unless your wife is like mine! ---
**Author:** ![S\_for\_Savvy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9bcb4/32.png) [@S\_for\_Savvy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/S_for_Savvy)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-station-air-hoses/708620/27 "2015-01-01T07:01:12Z")
The only ones that I find that work well enough are at some Speedway gas stations. I don’t have an electronic tire pressure guage, so luckily they have an air compressor that you can set the PSI on and then fill your tires. Also their coiled hose actually reaches all the tires. Even then, the pressure never quite turns out correct on each tire. Always seems to be one off no matter what. Other than carrying around your own portable plug-in, small car compressor in your car, it’s what we have to use on the road. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-station-air-hoses/708620/28 "2015-01-01T11:39:51Z")
> [@S\_for\_Savvy](#): > > The only ones that I find that work well enough are at some Speedway gas stations. I don’t have an electronic tire pressure guage, so luckily they have an air compressor that you can set the PSI on and then fill your tires. Also their coiled hose actually reaches all the tires. > > Even then, the pressure never quite turns out correct on each tire. Always seems to be one off no matter what. Other than carrying around your own portable plug-in, small car compressor in your car, it’s what we have to use on the road. Then spend $2 on a tire pressure gauge. Your car is an incredibly complex machine that does require a little bit of upkeep, it’s not a toaster. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-station-air-hoses/708620/29 "2015-01-01T22:45:40Z")
Finally found a good one at a Sheetz truck stop/gas station, of course it’s 2 hours outside of DC, but at least they still exist. ---
**Author:** ![sparky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2015, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-station-air-hoses/708620/30 "2015-01-01T23:23:14Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > Truly mundane, but am I the only person who can’t seem to find a gas station air hose that actually works? Around here, they all seem to be coin operated and while they will take your money and make an impressive noise, none of them seem to actually fill my tires. One thing with those gas station compressors is the tank may have water in it, which isn’t good to be spraying into your tires. I keep a small compressor in my trunk. I just bought one of [these](http://www.amazon.com/Viair-00073-Heavy-Portable-Compressor/dp/B0012WHBSO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1420154200&sr=8-2&keywords=air+compressor) by Viair. ---
**Author:** ![Honey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honey/32/5074_2.png) [@Honey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honey)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-station-air-hoses/708620/31 "2015-01-02T01:20:00Z")
We have some really nice ones around here. Some Stewart’s Shops have automatic air hoses that will show you how much air is needed, and stop when the right amount has been put in. It has a digital display and it’s free. The Hess stations around here also have nice and free air hoses. ---
**Author:** ![Tzigone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Tzigone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tzigone)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-station-air-hoses/708620/32 "2015-01-02T02:13:58Z")
Of the air hoses I know about on my way to work (can’t say for stations I haven’t stopped at) there are 1 broken one, 1 working coin-operated one, and 2 working free ones. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-station-air-hoses/708620/33 "2015-01-02T02:34:20Z")
> [@sparky\_1](#): > > One thing with those gas station compressors is the tank may have water in it, which isn’t good to be spraying into your tires. > > I keep a small compressor in my trunk. I just bought one of [these](http://www.amazon.com/Viair-00073-Heavy-Portable-Compressor/dp/B0012WHBSO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1420154200&sr=8-2&keywords=air+compressor) by Viair. The water comes from moisture in the air. That compressor is doing the same thing a gas station’s compressor is doing. I don’t see why any less moisture would necessarily end up in your tire using a gas station’s compressor over a smaller compressor bought on Amazon unless the unit has a moisture removal feature. ---
**Author:** ![sparky\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@sparky\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sparky_1)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-station-air-hoses/708620/34 "2015-01-02T03:55:04Z")
> [@x-ray\_vision](#): > > The water comes from moisture in the air. That compressor is doing the same thing a gas station’s compressor is doing. I don’t see why any less moisture would necessarily end up in your tire using a gas station’s compressor over a smaller compressor bought on Amazon unless the unit has a moisture removal feature. The problem is all the repeat use of the gas station compressor and water building up in the storage tank. If the tank isn’t purged now and then, the built-up water can literally be “sprayed” into a tire, possibly affecting balance. I kinda doubt many gas stations bother to purge the tanks regularly. Anyway, I recall reading in a magazine years ago that it could be a concern. With a tankless compressor, you’re only getting the water in the air, which isn’t enough to affect the balance of a tire. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-station-air-hoses/708620/35 "2015-01-02T10:20:14Z")
> [@sparky\_1](#): > > The problem is all the repeat use of the gas station compressor and water building up in the storage tank. If the tank isn’t purged now and then, the built-up water can literally be “sprayed” into a tire, possibly affecting balance. > > I kinda doubt many gas stations bother to purge the tanks regularly. > > Anyway, I recall reading in a magazine years ago that it could be a concern. > > With a tankless compressor, you’re only getting the water in the air, which isn’t enough to affect the balance of a tire. 1. when I worked at such a place, the compressor tank was drained twice a day. can’t speak for other places, but if they have a working garage they probably do. 2. the water sits at the bottom of the tank. The tap for pressurized air is at least up at the midpoint of the tank, if not higher. you’re not going to be “spraying water” into your tires. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Goob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c77e96/32.png) [@Mr.Goob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Goob)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-station-air-hoses/708620/36 "2015-01-02T10:40:02Z")
Most commercial compressors like the one at my shop have a bleeder on a timer or at least a filter. I don’t want any water in the lines to get to my air tools. Neither would any other mechanic. Even if any water were to get to your tire it would be about what? A teaspoonful? Can’t see this affecting tire balance. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-station-air-hoses/708620/37 "2015-01-02T10:46:27Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > The best bet is to find gas stations which still have a garage attached; Is that even possible without a time machine? ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2015, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-station-air-hoses/708620/38 "2015-01-02T10:56:32Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > Is that even possible without a time machine? yes. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2015, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-station-air-hoses/708620/39 "2015-01-04T00:00:18Z")
The local Sheetz has free air, and the built-in (digital) gauge is fairly accurate to boot. The last time I saw an actual service station (gas + repair shop) was at a rest area in Maryland; I think it may have been torn down now. ---
**Author:** ![actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/actualliberalnotoneofthose)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2015, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-station-air-hoses/708620/40 "2015-01-04T00:22:01Z")
If you live in an area with Giant Eagle grocery stores, their Get Go stations usually have (working, effective) free air. Just one of the reasons I frequent them, in addition to the avg 30 “free” gallons I get per month, surcharge free ATMs (handy when you move a lot through Paypal and various payment cards), and ability to pay in cash after the pump. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-station-air-hoses/708620.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gas-station-air-hoses/708620.md?page=3)