Air for Tires Near Me – Local Tire Inflation

It happens to everyone, you are out in your vehicle and you realize your tire pressure is low. Driving with an under inflated tire is potentially dangerous and shortens the life span of your tire. How often these days do you have any loose change and alternatively, who wants to trust their credit card in any out door credit card machine these days? The solution of course if to find gas stations or businesses that allow you to put air in your tires for free. Today I will show you where to find free air pumps, the basics of tire inflation, quick tire repair options for leaks, and share my experience with the places that have air for tires near me.

Air for Tires Near Me –  Air Pump Locator

If you are looking for “air for tires near me” or “free air for tires near me”, the map below shows your closest options. Not all places like tire shops have self service air pumps and you may need to wait. Use the controls to fine tune your results. For a list of business that always offer Free air see the infographic below. the map.

 

Where to Find Free Air For Tires Near Me

List of Places That Offer Free Tire Air Pumps

If you are out looking for a free air pump near me, there are 7 specific big name stores that offer to let you inflate your tires free of charge. They are a mix of tire shops and gas stations. Some gas stations like Shell, Sunoco, and Hess use to offer free air, but have since started charging unfortunately. I’ll list them here in order of popularity and national footprint. For each location you can click on their store finder.

Discount Tire

This tire shop chain has 1035 locations in 38 states. You don’t need to purchase tires from them, they will check your tires and fill them for free. There is a sign by the service station for “Free Air Check”. It is not a self service air station. Get in the lane and wait in line. A technician will check your air pressure and fill your tires to the required amount. Sometimes there can be a line, so if you have the opportunity to choose when to go, avoid the weekend. Find a Discount Tire store here.

QuikTrip

This gas station has 805 locations in 9 states. If you live in  Arizona, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, or Texas you can get free air. Their free air pumps do it yourself, so you pull up and pump. The air stations are off to the side and at some stations there is more then one pump. Each air station also has a tire pressure check and bell to let you know when your tire has reached the proper PSI. Find a QuikTrip gas station here.

Wawa

is a gas station and convenience store with 800 locations in 8 states. If you live in  Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., and Florida they will have free air for your tires. All of their 800 locations have free air. It is typically located towards the side of the building and you can also check your air pressure for free there. Find a Wawa here.

Sheetz

This chain of convenience stores has 580 locations in 6 states. If you live in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, or North Carolina, you can fill your tires for free.  While Sheetz was traditionally known as a convenience store almost all of them now sell gas.  The units at Sheetz are located off to the side away from the gas and at some locations there are multiple air pumps. Find a Sheetz here.

Royal Farms

This is a small gas station chain that has 205 stores in 3 states. If you live in Virginia, Pennsylvania, or New Jersey  they have free air to fill your tires. The air pumps are usually to the sides of the building and include a n air pressure gauge for free as well. Find a Royal Farms gas station here.

Gate

This is a small gas station chain that has 200 locations in 4 states. If you live in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, you can inflate your tires at no cost.  In my experience Gate typically has one air pump and it’s a tradional free pump that dings when your tire meets the required pressure. Find a Gate gas station here.

Rutters

This is a small gas station with 72 locations and is exclusive to Pennsylvania. They offer free air for tire inflation at all 72 locations across the state. Find a Rutters gas station here.

Other Options For Finding Free Air for Tires Near Me

If you don’t have any of these locations near you, there air alternatives you can consider if you are looking for free air for tires near me.

FreeAirPump.com

FreeAirPump.com is a resource to find other options for filling up your tires. Their site also has a map, although I find it to be kind of clunky. The good part is they sow you places you can get air for a vehicle and places that you can get free air for bicycles. It’s not a bad option in a pinch and shows a lot of places, because their results are generated through crowd sourcing.

New or Used Tire Shops

Used and new tire shops will check your pressure and inflate your tires for free. This is an opportunity for them to inspect your tires and see if they can sell you on new ones. Places like Goodyear, Bridgestone, Firestone, or any major brand tire shop will provide this service. You are also likely to find the same at smaller tire shops in your area. It’s also good to try these places, because if your tire is leaking air from a puncture you can get it patched or plugged.

Wholesale Clubs With Tire Departments

Similar to tire shops, big box wholesale stores with tire departments will also check pressure and fill tires for no cost. These are stores like Costco, BJ’s, Sams Club, etc. These chains like a tire shop will use this as a potential selling opportunity. When they fill your tires they can check to see if you need new ones.

Oil Change Services

Places like Jiffy Lube and Pep Boys who perform oil changes often fill tires for free. If you are already getting an oil change then, they will fill the tires with air as a convenience to you as it’s part of their multiple point inspection.  You can call ahead or stop by and ask if they can fill your tires only without an oil change. These places generally are pretty busy and you will have to wait in line. Unlike a gas station, their air compressors are located inside the garage.

Gas Stations with Over-sized Vehicle  Lanes

Some gas stations have specialty side lanes for over-sized vehicles like RV’s. Typically there is a free air pump for tires in the lane. There is no rules that say you can;t pull a car or truck into the RV lane and check your air pressure and fill up your tires. Not all gas stations have this feature, but if you see one in your travels it’s often an indicator you can get free tire inflation there.

Dealerships

The caveat here is not any dealership will fill your tires for free. If you happen to live near a dealership where you bought your car or is the manufacturer of your car, they might take care of you. I have had an emergency once, before I got run flats on my Mercedes and I stopped by a dealership for a quick top off. Dealerships do it as a matter of customer loyalty and providing good customer service.

All Gas Stations in Connecticut and California

Both states are required by law to have free air for tires at all gas stations. Every single gas station regardless of the brand or size is required to have an air compressor free of charge for tire inflation.

Rest Stops On Florida Turnpike

Most rest stops along the Florida turnpike have free tire inflation stations.

The Importance of Keeping Tires Inflated Properly

Proper tire inflation is key to driving performance, getting great gas mileage, and safety. Here are some of the main benefits:

• Get the most mileage out of your tires and buy less tires in the long run
• Maximize control and handling of the vehicle
• Improve stopping distance because of better traction
• Reduced risk of accidents
• Get better gas mileage and spend less on gas
• Environmental benefits to produce less waste

According to a 2009 report by the NHTSA:

“…about 28% of light vehicles on our Nation’s roadways run with at least one underinflated tire. Only a few psi difference from vehicle manufacturer’s recommended tire inflation pressure can affect a vehicle’s handling and stopping distance. Poor tire maintenance can increase incidences of blowouts and tread separations. Similarly, underinflation negatively affects fuel economy.”

How to Know When Your Tires Need Air

If your tires look flat, keep losing air, show uneven tread wear on the outside edges or the tread surface, or you have a warning light in your car, you need air. The warning light is generated by the tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), these typically go off when your PSI falls below the required level. New vehicles will have a TPMS, while older vehicles will not.

 

There is an issue to with over inflation, which will cause the tread to wear in the middle. This happens when you put too much air in your tire.

 

If your tire have a leaky valve or  puncture, you will lose air pressure quickly. Checking your air pressure frequently will help you identify if there is a problem going on….

How to Check Your Tire Pressure

Checking your tire pressure is really simple. You just need a tire pressure gauge. All of the free air pumps near me, have a tire pressure gauge on them. Most of them are the stick up sticks, which are known to be inaccurate, Ideally you want a digital reading.

PSI and Where to Find Your Required Amount

What you are measuring is the PSI which stands for pounds per square inch. The PSI needs to be inflated to the requirements of your vehicle. You can find that information inside the drivers side door jam on a sticker or in the vehicles owners manual. You may also find a sticker inside your gas cap.

 

If you look at the numbers on the sidewall of the tire, you will see the maximum amount your tire can handle. That is not the same thing as the vehicles recommended PSI. If you over inflate the tire, you can cause a blowout.

Checking the Pressure

Ideally you want to check the tire pressure, when the tire is cold. If you have been on the road for awhile, the heat in the tire causes an increase in the pressure reading. It’s only temporary though, but it will take a few hours for the tires to get cold. You can check the pressure, but the reading may not be precise.

 

To check the pressure follow these steps:

1. Remove the tire valve and place it where you won’t lose it
2. Place the pressure gauge directly on the air valve to get the PSI
3. Take a few pressure readings and take the average of them
4. Refer to the recommended PSI for your vehicle

How Often  Should Check Your Tire Pressure?

Everyone has a different opinion on this, but since we are a used tire blog, we say frequently. If you are a used tire buyer, then I would say weekly for the first month you own your tires. If you have had your tires for a while then 3 to 6 months is fine if you don;t see or feel any issues. Proper tire inflation should be part of your regular maintenance.

 

You should note that several factors can influence your tire pressure though. This includes the weather, how often you drive and how far, and the load that you carry or tow. For every 10 degree drop in temperature, you lose one pound of pressure. That’s why your TPMS in your car throws more warnings in the winter.

How to Inflate Your Tires to the Correct PSI

Now that you have checked the pressure, the next step is to properly inflate them with air.

1. Follow the steps above to check the pressure
2. Set the PSI on the machine to the required level, around 30-35 PSI for most passenger vehicles. If the gas station air pump doesn’t have a setting, then you need to add air and then check the pressure with your own gauge.
3. Firmly place the tip of valve into the stem and listen for air flow, some machines will ding a bell when the set PSI is reached.
4. Add or release air as necessary to match the recommended PSI. To release air you need to press down the pin in the middle of the valve on your tire. relaase air in small increments and check the pressure as you go.
5. Put your valve cap back on.

All in all it should take no more then a few minutes to inflate your tire to the manufacturers recommended PSI. If you finf yourself adding air frequently, your tire may have a puncture or a leaky valve.

How To Fix a Tire Leaking Air

If you have a tire with a puncture, you can repair it yourself. There are products like Fix a Flat and DIY plugs and patches. Some newer cars have run flat tires, which will drive long enough for you to perform a repair. You can also buy a portable air compressor for your home or a small one for the trunk to fill your tires up for free.

 

If your tire has a puncture on thread surface, you can plug or patch it. If you have any damage to the sidewall, you will want to get a new tire right away.

Where to Get a Tire Repair

If you are experiencing a tire needing frequent air, you may need to get it repaired or replaced. Your local tire shop or local mechanic are the most common places to get a repair. There are big box stores like BJ’s, Walmart, and Costco, that have tire service centers that can handle both repair and replacement.

If There I Don’t Have Free Air For Tires Near Me, What Does It Cost?

Depending on what you find, you should pay between $1 and $2 to fill up your tires. Some machines are old and only take quarters. Newer machines you can swipe your credit card. While a few bucks doesn’t seem like much it can add up if your tire leaks air and you follow the NHTSA guidelines of adding air once a month. If more then one tire needs air you may need to run the machine a few times. Most pay machines are set on a timer that only lasts a few minutes before you need to pay again.

Free Air for Tires Near Me Conclusion

No matter if you have new or used tires, keeping them properly inflated is of utmost importance for performance, gas mileage, and safety. If you are tired of paying a few dollars for air pressure checks and inflation, there are plenty of free options out there. This is good to know not only whats around for you locally, but if you are traveling and need a fee air compressor for a fill up. If your tire is need of air, you should not wait to have to find a free air pump, you need to fill it. This is a safety issue that is not worth the $1 or $2 you will spend on a paid air station.

 

Before filling your tire, you should understand how much air to put in, how often you should check the tire pressure, and be able to spot a leaky tire. This is what I have learned from the places that have free air for tires near me.