How to Use a Portable Tire Inflator Safely

A portable inflator makes the monthly tire check easy. Here is the routine.

Steps

1. Check cold. Measure before driving far, when tires are cold.
2. Find your number. Use the door-frame label or owner’s manual. See our tire guide.
3. Attach the chuck firmly to the valve stem.
4. Set the target if your inflator has auto shutoff. DeWalt’s DCC020IB shuts off only in high-pressure mode.
5. Run it, then check the reading with a separate gauge if you have one.
6. Replace the valve cap.

Run time and heat

• DeWalt’s manual says that for items rated above 100 psi, the maximum run time is 10 minutes.
• It also says the inflator can get hot and needs 30 minutes to cool before storage.
• Use only accessories rated for the inflator’s pressure.

Compare models in best cordless tire inflators.

Walkthrough: the DeWalt DCC020I as an example

Every inflator works a little differently, so your own manual comes first. The DeWalt manual is a useful example of what to look for, because it spells out each step.

Pick a power source. The DCC020I runs from a 20V Max or 60V Max FlexVolt battery, from the car’s 12V DC socket, or from an optional AC power supply. With the 12V cord, DeWalt says to fully extend the cord every time, and the car’s accessory socket must be rated for at least 10A. With a FlexVolt battery, set the inflator on a flat surface with the screen facing up.

Use the right hose. The unit has two:

Set the pressure and start. On the high-pressure side, attach the chuck to the tire’s valve stem and press the power switch. The unit defaults to high-pressure mode. Turn the knob to your target and press start/pause. It stops by itself at the preset. DeWalt notes the reading may drop a little after a couple of seconds, and that this is normal. If you turn the power off, the settings are cleared. DeWalt calls this a safety feature against over-inflating.

Use it as a gauge. Connect the high-pressure hose and power on, and the display shows the tire’s current pressure without adding air. DeWalt still says to check pressure with a tire gauge before each use and while inflating.

Know the idle timer. The display sleeps, and the unit turns off after two minutes of idle time, including the work light.

Safety warnings worth knowing

• Bursting: too much pressure can burst a tire. Check the maximum rating of what you are inflating. Never leave the inflator running unattended.
• Breathing: the compressed air is not safe to breathe.
• Accessories: use only the included accessories or parts rated for at least 160 psi.
• Heat: let the unit cool 30 minutes before you store it.
• No horseplay: never point the airflow at yourself or others.

Error codes on the DCC020I

High altitude

DeWalt says the pressure sensor can be re-calibrated for use at high elevation, recommended above 5,000 ft. The calibration is not saved when the unit turns off. Each time it powers on, it resets to sea level.