With the cost of gas these days, it’s no wonder that people are looking for alternative ways to inflate their car tires.
If you’ve ever been out on a long bike ride and had a flat tire, you know how frustrating it can be to try and pump it up with a bike pump.
But what if you could use that same pump to inflate your car tires?
Yes, Just remove the valve stem cap from the tire, fit the pump onto the valve stem and start pumping. It ‘ll take a few minutes to get the tire inflated to the desired pressure. Finally, replace the valve stem cap and done!
Read full guideline how to do it properly

What You’ll Need:
- A bike pump
- A tire gauge
- A piece of cardboard or something similar to put under the tire
How to Pump Your Car Tire With a Bike Pump
1. To start, unscrew the black cap at the top of the pump. You will see a valve inside. And put the piece of cardboard under the tire that you’re going to be pumping. This will help to protect your pump from getting damage.
2. Next, use the tire gauge to check the pressure in the tire. You’ll want to pump the tire until it reaches the recommended pressure, which is usually around 32 psi.
3. After attached, the tire gauge, start pumping the tire. It’s important to pump the tire slowly and evenly. If you pump too quickly, the tire could burst.
4. Finally, the tire is inflated to the proper pressure, remove the tire gauge and pump. You’re now ready to hit the road!
Troubleshooting Problems
If you’re having trouble pumping up a car tire with a bike pump, there are a few things you can try:
- Make sure that the pump is properly attached to the valve.
- Try pumping the tire up slowly at first, and then increasing the speed.
- If the tire is still not inflating, try removing the valve cap and reattaching the pump.
- If all else fails, take the tire to a professional to have it inflated.
Warning
If you are going to pump a car tire with a bike pump, you need to be very careful. The bike pump can put a lot of pressure on the car tire and cause it to explode.
1. Make sure that you have the car tire completely inflated before you start pumping.
2. Using a bike pump to pump up a car tire is not as effective as using a gas station air pump.
3. The bike pump needle onto the tire valve and then use the bike pump to pump up the tire.
4. Do not over pump the tire, as this can cause the tire to burst.
Related Question with answer:
Is It Safe To Pump a Car Tire with a Bike Pump?
If car tire different from bike tire, you can use a bike pump to inflate a car tire, Make sure that the bike pump is compatible with the car’s tire valve.
Some bike pumps have a different size nozzle for Presta valves, which are commonly found on road bikes, and Schrader valves, which are the more common type of valve found on car tires.
If you’re not sure which type of valve your car has, consult the owner’s manual or look for a small metal cap on the tire that can be unscrewed to reveal the valve.
If you don’t have a pressure gauge on the pump, stop periodically to check the tire’s pressure with a separate gauge.
How long does it take to pump a car tire with a bike pump?
It should take no more than 5 minutes to pump a car tire with a bike pump. If you do have a puncture, you’ll first need to patch the hole, which could take another 10 minutes or so.
Can you use a shock pump for tires?
Yes you can use a shock pump to fill your tires, but it’s not the ideal tool for the job. A shock pump is designed to fill air shocks, which have much higher pressure requirements than tires.
Most shock pumps will have a gauge that goes up to 300 PSI, but tires typically only require 60-80 PSI. This means that it will take a long time to fill your tires using a shock pump, and you run the risk of over-inflating them.
Conclusion:
Pumping a car tire with a bike pump is actually quite simple, and it can be a lifesaver if you’re ever stranded with a flat tire.
Just be sure to keep your pump and adapter in your trunk so you’re always prepared.