Inflating a flat tire may not seem like a big deal to most people because they may have never experienced the frustration that goes along with it. It doesn’t matter how well your day is going, the second you see that you have a flat tire, it feels like the air has been sucked right out of you (or… your tire!).
If this has happened to you in the past, then you’re probably pretty vigilant when that low tire light comes on and you’re making a bee line for the nearest gas station where you’ll have to pay for air and/or wait in a line to use the air pump next.
However, you can get around that completely by having a portable tire inflator like the Slime 40022 12-Volt Digital Tire Inflator in your car. In this review, we are going to talk a little more about the features of the tire inflator, but we are also going to give you an overview of what people who have purchased the tire inflator had to say about their overall experience with it.
Then, we’re going to give you our recommendation on whether or not this tire inflator is something you should consider purchasing for your own garage!
About The Product
Slime has been creating innovative products for tire care since 1989 and they’ve grown to being one of the most trusted names in the business. They have dedicated themselves to creating tires that are going to be safe to use, not just for the user but for the environment as well.
Slime’s latest technological advancements prove to deliver fool-proof results. Notable features of the Slime 40022 12-Volt Digital Tire Inflator:
- Inflates a standard mid-sized car tire in 6 minutes
- Uses Inflate Right technology to automatically shut off when desired pressure is reached
- 12 foot power cord
- Adapter for inflatable balls and another adapter for other inflatables
- Bright and long-lasting LED light for easy night use
- Plugs directly into car cigarette lighter or a 12v auxiliary port, 15 Amp fuse required
- Powerful and compact, with rubberized feet for stability
- 30 day warranty
What is unique about the Slime 40022 12-Volt Digital Tire Inflator is that it uses the ‘Inflate-Right’ technology that uses an automatic shut off sensor when the pre-selected pressure has been reached. This is a really useful feature to have because you know the tire’s pressure will be correct and that it won’t be over filled.
Although this air compressor is designed for using with car tires and other tires up to 100PSI, you can use it for other inflatables like inflatable balls, air mattresses, and other inflatable items. Do keep in mind that because the inflator requires a 12 volt plug, it may be a little slower to inflate than other air compressors that are designed for the home.
A useful little addition to this air compressor is a bright LED light that proves to be quite valuable when you’re faced with a flat tire at night on an unlit highway.
What Customers Say
When we looked at the user reviews, we saw that 76% had great things to say about the ride on and left 4.1 or 5-star reviews. Of these reviews, people commented on how affordable this air compressor is when compared to other compressors on the market. One customer even said that this air compressor had all the features they were looking for and half the price of more expensive air compressors.
Customers have also said that they found the digital pressure gauge to be relatively accurate, with it being within 2 PSI. Customers have also mentioned that they much prefer the screw on valve attachment that this air compressor has over the other switch type connectors. They cite that they are able to get a better seal with the screw on connector and it fills the tire quicker because no air is leaking out while the hose is connected to the tire.
So what did the remaining 24% of customers who left 3-star or below reviews have to say? The most common complaint customers had that this product works “and does it well, actually too well.”
One customer said that when they try inflating sports balls, it shuts off within seconds of turning it on. Another customer said that when the air compressor is working, it overheats really quickly—it even “start smelling a burnt smell” after only using it for 1 minute.
Our Recommendation
You know how they say you get what you pay for? That isn’t necessarily the case with the Slime 40022 12-Volt Digital Tire Inflator. While it is priced at just under $30 (regularly priced at under $35), it is a powerhouse device that is able to give you the power you need to inflate a tire within minutes. The 12v digital tire inflator uses Inflate Right technology that will make the device shut off when the tire has reached the pre-selected PSI that you choose.
Although the tire inflator is designed to inflate car tires, it can be used for other applications such as inflating balls for recreational use, air mattresses, and more. However, it only has a cigarette lighter adapter, but the 12 foot power cable would allow you to use it for these home applications.
So, is this a good air compressor? For the price, most definitely. 76% of customers stating they had good experiences with the product and it was able to do the job it was designed to do. We feel that while there may be more versatile air compressors on the market, the Slime 40022 12-Volt Digital Tire Inflator is a good, basic air compressor that will be able to inflate your car tires with no problems.
We do want to remind you that this inflator requires a 15 amp fuse. If you try to use a lower amp outlet, you will blow a fuse.
