Flat Tyre + foot pump = exhausted me - any tips?

Wonkylegs
Wonkylegs Member Posts: 3,504
edited 16. Feb 2009, 17:52 in Living with Arthritis archive
HI guys,

had an experience today! :shock: :x :roll: :x :shock:

Driving home from town (short hop thank goodness) felt car suddenly pulling to one side, and decided that the lean was the car and not me! Fortunately got home ok.

Inspected & found a half-inflated tyre & rooted in the garage for the foot pump. Trouble was, by the time I had attached the foot pump ...... the tyre was totally flat!! :oops: :lol: :oops: as i didnt' have the strength to push the locking bar over far enough & quickly enough to stop all the air escaping! :lol::lol::lol::lol:

AND then it took nearly 20 mins to inflate the tyre :shock: :shock: so I was well and truly shattered!

So thought I would invest in an electric version (seen lots in catalogues) but they all seem to have the same way of fastening onto the valve.

anyone found something more suitable for those of us less able to provide thumb/finger pressure?

thanks !

Comments

  • redpoppy
    redpoppy Member Posts: 108
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hi wonky,sorry i cant offer you any advice on the pump,i dont drive myself.but i think you will need a well needed rest tonight.it must have took some doing trying to pump your tyre up.im sure someone on here will be able to help you.
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Wonkey,
    What a horrible day you've had. If you want a quick fix method get an instant tyre weld, it inflates and cures the punture in one go. They don't like mending tyes that have had it in but it gets you out of trouble. there about £6 and providing you haven't a massive split it works. Once you attached it you don't have to hold the button it just goes in on it's own.
    You take care and have a good rest, tyres are hard work.

    Scotishlass Like the idea of a yellow one!
  • grampyal
    grampyal Member Posts: 81
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Been thinking of getting a foot pump myself. Recently had a slow puncture. I,ve got a battery operated pump,booster, light thing( its yellow too) but it only pumps up to about 30lb psi. My tyres need 48. Also I thought that the exercise would be good for my new knee which just dont want to get better.
    Al
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    HI Well done!!! but sorry you're suffering. Hope you feel better soon
    I don't know how to do ANYTHING on my car :oops:. It swearing dosn't work, and usually it don't, I Phone the RAC :) I know, and I am ashamed I can't even open the bonnet :oops: , but they do give very good service :!: A very incompitant, Sue
  • jaspercat
    jaspercat Member Posts: 1,238
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Wonky, I must admit to being unable to change a tyre, the only things I can do is lift the bonnet, with help, and check oil, water etc, I use a breakdown service for anything else, I know lazy me!! love Jaspercatxx
  • petmad
    petmad Member Posts: 252
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Oh Wonky, poor you. I have a substantial electric one I bought out the auto shop for my caravan. It runs off the lighter attachment and certainly takes the work out of the task.

    I had tried the small plastic ones from the petrol station and Argos in the past and found they were not heavy enough for the task. Linda
  • Wonkylegs
    Wonkylegs Member Posts: 3,504
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    thanks guys and gals!

    I am glad to report that the said tyre has not lost any pressure over the weekend .... so not sure what happened on Friday!!!!! :? :? :? :?

    :idea: Hubby suggested i must have annoyed someone who then let the tyre down :shock: who .....little me? :wink: what does he mean????!!!!!! :lol:

    I would indeed have got the AA out if the wheel needed changing - but to pump up the tyre is going a bit far I think!!!!!

    will keep trying out different places and see what I can find . I'll let you know!
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    What does a pump look like and were does it go? :oops: :oops: Sue :mrgreen:
  • airwave
    airwave Member Posts: 579
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Dear Wonkylegs,

    Have a look at most commercial ones at the petrol stations, all you do is apply pressure on the pipeline applicator (bit you hold onto!). You can buy small air reserve tanks with these fitted to them, some garages use them. Details not known but can't be more than a google search away?

    Other than that, most of the puncture repair aerosols have a screw type fitting, I suspect you could get a fitting put onto your electric pump?


    8) Its a grin, honest!
  • livinglegend
    livinglegend Member Posts: 1,425
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Get a 5 inch long piece of half inch copper pipe and have the end bashed into shape with a hammer to fit over the lever. This makes the lever easy to push down, but as with any lever, it may break if you use too much force. c075.gif

    Had an electric pump for years, couldn't use a footty pump now. r010.gif

    Joseph 8)
    Josephm0310.gif
  • Wonkylegs
    Wonkylegs Member Posts: 3,504
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    thanks joseph - that's a good tip.

    will have a good look round first .... not rushing into it now that the tyre is seemingly ok.

    Can't remember who said about the commercial garages - thanks for the thought ....... trouble is that they are always very busy round here as there are only two petrol stations locally, and I'm afraid that the 'general public' take a rather dim view of anyone who takes longer than the absolute minimum to get the job done! since I take about 4 times as long as everyone else just to get the dust caps off - you get the picture :oops: :oops: :oops:

    would rather struggle in my own drive in private :wink::wink::wink::wink: