I must be a muppet!

[DrB]

Has anyone had problems putting air into their tyres?

I have tried 3 different garages (Sell, Esso, BP) each with different air pumps (automatic, manual) and I can't seem to get a seal around the valve. I gave up and took it to KWIK FIT where they manged. They have a lock on their pump that holds it onto the valve.

It appears that with the valve pressure monitors that they are very short and with standard pumps connection is not possible.

Anyone else had a problem or am I just a muppet!

Mark

[MarkM]

I had the same problem. Never bother using them anymore, just use the pump in the boot.

[installer69]

My RS6 has been plagued with the pressure warning lights since new.

I was on my way back from London and the NSF warning (the big exclamation mark) came on so of I toodled to the nearest petrol station for some air. I had taken out the pump in the boot to do the tyres on my van.

Ended up taking the air out!! There I was, 80 miles from home with a flat tyre and of course - no spare. This is the one time I would have appreciated even a space saver.

Fortunately an old boy in his escort saw my predicament and lent me a foot pump. (44psi takes a long time though, doesn't it?)

I went in and moaned at the petrol station (they offered me my 10p back!!) but having been stupid enough to leave the pump out on another occasion and to do exactly the same with much swearing I have come to the conclusion that the valves are not as long as normal - maybe because of the tyre pressure warnings? I dunno, but it was worth bringing it to people's attention to stop them even trying.

[leviathen]

I have the tyre pressure warning light coming on,every now and then,and it is one particular tyre.I will get the valve changed when i change the rears.

But in response to yor thread,i bought a "halfords" electric pump.It's great,you just plug it into the car and bingo.Costs about £15 and you can preset the tyre pressure as well,i take it on longer drives every time,just in case.

[MartynC]

My 6+ is just the same. It's a pain to use some garage pumps so, like the other guys, I use the Audi provided one. Wish I had a space saver spare though. I'm really not sure how good the gunge they provide is. Anyone used it?

MartynC

[SimonS4MTM]

[quote="leviathen"]I will get the valve changed when i change the rears.
quote]

You will need the correct valve and a tyre fitter will probably not have one, as they are special valves with the pressure sensor mounted on the back

[shimmy]

I have had some bad experience with both Halfords and others pump gauges and also now you mention it Petrol Filing station gauges. They can be wildly different to each other even at the same time when checked under the same conditions.

I would recommend getting the halfords (or other) digital gauge (hand held) for the glove box and always check with the same gauge. Of course after you buy it compare the gauge against a couple of sources like a garage or tyre fitters one. It may seem like overkill but what is the point mucking about with chips and exhaust systems is pretty poinless if your car is always running light or heavy on ai.

we all know the rubber at each corner is just about the most important piece of the car after you have the engine power

[approved]

mine always comes on nsf...i;ve just turned them off. problem solved.

[vfj]

get electric pump--do all four tyres when cold 44psi set tyre pressures inside car on settings on screen-- it should last months-if one tyre loses any pressure wait till all four go cold and do the four together' Iwas messing for weeks pumping one then the other-whitout resetting inside cab- John=VFJ

[DrB]

Thanks everyone. I am glad to see I am not the only one who has had problems.

Is the Halfords electric pump much better than the one you get with the car then?

[Jeeves]

Came back from scotland late one night before doing a track day, and thought "sod it, I'll use the Shell air whn I get my fill of Optimax". Ended up losing pressure using Shell's forecourt pump, and realised I'd have to use onboard compressor in the boot.

Got to track, and tried to connect. Unfortunatley, the valves on these spare (original) RS6 wheels were corroded enough to prevent a connection. Thankfully someone lent me a foot pump.

Does anyone know if the on-board compressor will reach 44 psi as there's a symbol on it implying it'll only do 36!