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Message started by Dave on 01/04/17 at 06:33:32

Title: Really....No Free Air?
Post by Dave on 01/04/17 at 06:33:32

It now costs $1.50 to put air in your tires at the local convenience store - but you can use your Visa or MasterCard!

http://i63.tinypic.com/fc3f5y.jpg

Title: Re: Really....No Free Air?
Post by oldNslow on 01/04/17 at 06:50:40

Yep. There hasn't been a place near me with a free air hose hanging on the side of the building for quite a few years. Most of the ones around here still take quarters though. The compressor doesn't run very long for 25 cents. If you've got more than one tire to top off you better have a pocket full of change. ::)

I hope that thing a least runs till you're done for a buck and a half.

Title: Re: Really....No Free Air?
Post by Ruttly on 01/04/17 at 06:57:09

Harbor Freight Tools has all kinds of compressors for cheap,Portable ones will fill tires too !

Title: Re: Really....No Free Air?
Post by Dave on 01/04/17 at 07:03:20

1E39383820354C0 wrote:

Harbor Freight Tools has all kinds of compressors for cheap,Portable ones will fill tires too !

I went to this store as they have good deals on drinks.....I only noticed the compressor as I had to park near it. I will obviously just drive home and use my compressor if I have that option.

I would imagine most of these machines are used when folks don't have a choice......they likely see that they are running on a tire that is nearly flat - and they have to do something in a hurry! This happened to me a couple of months ago when we were out to dinner, and my left front tire was going flat. I had to stop 3 times on the way home to add air.....and it cost me 75 cents to add air each time.

Title: Re: Really....No Free Air?
Post by Ruttly on 01/04/17 at 09:04:38

Yeah I made a 12volt one from air shock air compressor for when I'm on the road and also AAA member

Title: Re: Really....No Free Air?
Post by Joer0952 on 01/04/17 at 10:02:21

I live in NY I have never in my entire life seen any station offer free air.

Title: Re: Really....No Free Air?
Post by Ruttly on 01/04/17 at 10:09:49

Youngster

Title: Re: Really....No Free Air?
Post by Dave on 01/04/17 at 10:09:52

A long time ago, most gasoline stations also had garages and they were the local mechanics. They did the vehicle maintenance, and they had lifts that were operated by air.......so they always had a larger air compressor. One one wall of the service station, or out on a post at the corner of the lot was a red air hose hanging on a hook. Some of the better ones had a valve/gauge combination and you could fill your tire when you pushed the button, and then read the pressure in the tire when you let go of the button.

The "free air" hoses went away when convenience stores and food markets became the place you purchased gasoline......as they don't need a compressor to operate their business.

Title: Re: Really....No Free Air?
Post by ohiomoto on 01/04/17 at 10:20:45

152E2334252932342F272A35460 wrote:

A long time ago...

--------

...in a galaxy far away,

I think those days are about gone. Sheetz is the only chain around me that still does fee air.

Title: Re: Really....No Free Air?
Post by SALB on 01/04/17 at 11:11:55

There are still a few convenience stores around here with free air. The one next to work is on the side of the car wash, which, for some reason, has an air compressor inside. It even has the fancy pressure gauge built in.

Title: Re: Really....No Free Air?
Post by 12Bravo on 01/04/17 at 13:19:12

Most of the Casey's stations around me still have free air

Title: Re: Really....No Free Air?
Post by Joer0952 on 01/04/17 at 13:48:10

4F74796E7F73686E757D706F1C0 wrote:

Even the gas stations like the ones you describe have always charged for air by me, atleast in the past 30 years that I can remember getting air.

Title: Re: Really....No Free Air?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 01/04/17 at 13:51:00

When I was a maintenance man for a chain of convenience stores we had a compressor at every location. I would get calls to go replace the air chuck that someone stole.
But, BUYING the equipment to install that takes the charge card, maintaining it, it just looks like bad business. BE the Free Air location and Attract more people. The cost of the compressor is the same. Avoid the cost/maintenance on the vending machine end, and spend $50.00 on signs

Free Air..

Title: Re: Really....No Free Air?
Post by Ruttly on 01/04/17 at 15:17:21

There is a gas station in Burlingame , CA on El Camino Real that has a car wash with a big sign that says " Best Hand Job In Town "
Always makes me laugh !

Title: Re: Really....No Free Air?
Post by Kris01 on 01/04/17 at 19:10:01

I refuse to pay for air! C'mon it's air! I have plenty of free ways to supply air. Even a small bicycle pump will get you by in a pinch.

Title: Re: Really....No Free Air?
Post by zipidachimp on 01/05/17 at 03:06:19

CHEVRON still offers free air where I live! 8-)

Title: Re: Really....No Free Air?
Post by Serowbot on 01/05/17 at 08:17:13

Only a couple places here with free air... been like that for 20 years or more.

I need to invent a coin operated TP dispenser for bathrooms... :-/

Title: Re: Really....No Free Air?
Post by Rodger on 01/05/17 at 08:28:46

On a ride with old high school friend, & we parked near the "coin compressor," went into convenience mart for a cold drink. He got Coke and I got bottle of water. He looked around and said,"When we were kids in high school (the mid-70's) didja ever think we'd hafta PAY for water & air???"

Ahhh, the Good Ol' Days....*heavy sigh*

Title: Re: Really....No Free Air?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 01/05/17 at 11:15:18

And the water would cost more than gasoline,,,

Title: Re: Really....No Free Air?
Post by 1st2know on 01/05/17 at 11:29:34

635A415B1819280 wrote:

Even a small bicycle pump will get you by in a pinch.

Yep, this what I use for motorcycle tires. I bought one at Wally World with a gauge. The allows me to check the pressure, and then, if it's low, two or three pumps, and I'm ready to ride. I changed the chuck to a proper brass chuck with lock lever. I would also like to change the gauge to one with a smaller scale - the bicycle gauges run up to 120 PSI. Something that shows 0-50 PSI would be easier to read.

Title: Re: Really....No Free Air?
Post by Kris01 on 01/05/17 at 18:42:53

A MC tire is just a larger bicycle tire so why not? It doesn't take a lot of effort to pump a MC tire to the correct pressure. They don't hold a lot of volume like a car tire.

Title: Re: Really....No Free Air?
Post by old_rider on 01/08/17 at 18:29:55

Local mom and pop place in magnolia springs has a free air pump station... took a pic of it, but its on my phone

Title: Re: Really....No Free Air?
Post by JDNewYork on 01/09/17 at 11:38:21

At least yours has a gauge. Only gas station close to me in NY that has an air line charges 75c and has no pressure gauge! so if you dont have a pen gauge or something with you all you can do is put 'some' air in your tires....maybe too much, maybe too little!!!

Title: Re: Really....No Free Air?
Post by gizzo on 01/09/17 at 12:42:15

I've never seen a service station ( "servo" ) that charges for air. I hope it remains an American thing. Some servos you have to go inside and ask for the gauge and bring it back when your done. They get sick of the gauges being stolen.

Title: Re: Really....No Free Air?
Post by Ruttly on 01/09/17 at 15:05:15

There is no free air. They tax the air we breath , they just call it something else.
Emissions control !