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This is the 1st time I've had to fill up my car tires with air in NC, and I went to 3 different gas stations around Maynard & Harris in Cary and they all either charged $0.50 or $1 to pump up my tire. I'm used to free in MN. Do I just need to pony up and pay for it, or are there other gas chains/stores that offer free air for tires? I know I'm cheap...but why pay if I don't have to.
I went ahead and purchased a small air compressor (from Sears automotive) to keep my tire pressures right. Got tired of driving all over the place to find a pump that worked and didn't like the idea of paying for air anyway. The one I have just plugs into the cars 12volt outlet. Not expensive .... ask Santa to bring you one !
The Shell on Hillsborough Rd in Durham has free air. Course, if the OP lives in Cary, Its not free!
Riding around LOOKING for free air isnt free either...
Thx everyone. I do have a portable air pump, but it has to be plugged into an outlet which doesn't work so well as I'm in an apt complex. I do know that Costco has free nitrogen if I hang out by their tire dept. I'll just time it with my every other shopping stock up for there. Thx for the Sheetz & BJ's tip, though...although the closest Sheetz is on the opposite side of Raleigh from Cary. I'm curious with the comment from wizard about gas stations reluctant to publicize them..... why would that be the case? I can't imagine it's at all expensive in the long run for the gas station to buy a tire compressor and run a hose through the wall. Was that for the cost or just the marketing of the free air? Thx so much everyone.
Thx everyone. I do have a portable air pump, but it has to be plugged into an outlet which doesn't work so well as I'm in an apt complex.
If the pump isn't (also) 12V then get a 12V/120V adaptor for the cig lighter which will have all sort of other good uses. Then use the machine in the pump line at the gas station. Take as much time as you need with your gauge and topping off to the right pressure.
Won't most places turn on the air for free for customers? I'm not sure that I've done it since I lived here, but back in TX I'd pump some gas then pull the car over to the air station and go in and ask them to turn it on and they always did.
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