Gas Stations with free air for tires??

[Unknown303]

So I was driving around today looking for a place to air up my tires a bit and I cannot find a gas station that doesn't charge for the air now. In the end I didn't find a place and had to goto work.

I know Co-op by the south costco does but it would have been a long drive to get there..

[Cos]

Doesnt the centex on 16th still do it? I have noticed it is getting difficult.

Mohawk in Coventry hills still has free air.
Think the shell in Coventry hills does as well.

[black13]

Sucks how most of them are charging now.
Superstore gas station by sarcess still has it for free though.

[Kloubek]

The Macs on Beddington is free I believe, and the shell on Symons Valley (between Kincora and Evanston) is for sure.

[adam c]

i don't know of any around anymore, shell is 50 cents though compared to all the other ones at $1

[da9integ]

the gas station right beside T&T Honda

[davidI]

I got tired of the hassle and bought a compressor. I've found numerous other uses though - nail guns rock!

[Graham_A_M]

I remember reading somewhere that the pay ones will work for free if you push the "start" button three times in succession. I haven't tried it, but :dunno: big props if someone can verify. :)

[v2kai]

on somethere's a label, usually in the fine print by the bottom or on the side of the unit stating 'please see attendant for complimentary air' I've gone in and asked and they turn it on for free.

[Sugarphreak]

...

[JVR1]

I hate that gas stations charge for air. I only fill up at shell stations now because of it.

[lison]

I think most, if not all Essos have free air.

[slinkie]

petro/macs on 1st ave &edm tr has free air :dunno:

[G-ZUS]

Originally posted by lison
I think most, if not all Essos have free air.

The one @ 52nd St and Madigan Drive charges. I usually ask for complimentary air when I fill up gas

[shakalaka]

AFAIK none of the CO-OP's charge.

I just bought a mini pump. All you do is plug it in your power outlet in the car and it pumps those tires up within seconds.

[KO22]

^ as for above.. no esso's are charging now.. pretty stupid if you ask me how they charge for AIR! most of the cashiers in the stations will trick the air machines if you go on in and talk to them ..

but other than that shell in Mckenzie Lake SE is still free

[Unknown303]

Originally posted by slinkie
petro/macs on 1st ave &edm tr has free air :dunno:

This is true but that pump I swear is messed up. I live right by there and tried filling my tires and I sat with that thing "trying" to fill my tires for quite some time before I gave up and started the hunt.


Originally posted by Graham_A_M
I remember reading somewhere that the pay ones will work for free if you push the "start" button three times in succession. I haven't tried it, but :dunno: big props if someone can verify. :)

That was on Lifehacker I swear. Trying to find the info on it but haven't had any luck yet.

[slinkie]

Originally posted by Unknown303


This is true but that pump I swear is messed up. I live right by there and tried filling my tires and I sat with that thing "trying" to fill my tires for quite some time before I gave up and started the hunt.




Gotta pull the lever? idk... last time i filled up air there got some crack head making fun of my winter car... asked what he was rollin in :rofl:

[Unknown303]

Originally posted by slinkie


Gotta pull the lever? idk... last time i filled up air there got some crack head making fun of my winter car... asked what he was rollin in :rofl:

Yeah pulled lever.... When you're not holding down the lever you can hear the air bypass going but when I hold it down doesn't seem like it really flows or if it is it's at some insanely low rate.

When I first pulled up there was some guy in a little nissan filling up all 4 of his tires and I waited about 20 minutes for him to air it up. Once I finally had a change I sat there for a good minute on one tire and didn't even see a 1 psi change in tire pressure.

[EM1FTW]

the huskey in scenic acres still has free air

[turbotrip]

macs in edgemont is free

[xxviet]

some petros have em, i go inside pay for gas and ask them to turn on the air machine ( they can do it from inside )

memorial and 36 does it

[Alak]

Shell on 16th and Deerfeet has free air.

[BokCh0y]

Uh....have u read some of the fine print on the air things? Some of them say to go inside and ask for complimentary air.

All the ones i've been to, i jsut walk in and regardless what the fine print says, i just go and ask for free air anyways. All they have to do is press a button and it turns that thing outside on...

just my personal experince and 0.02.

[Crymson]

I read on a lifehacks website that if your'e at a shell and you hit the button on the side 3 times, the air comes on for free.

Haven't tested it though.

"to get free air for your tires at Shell gas stations, press the button on the side of the pump three times. The pump will start without you having insert any coins."

[speedog]

Originally posted by Alak
Shell on 16th and Deerfeet has free air. On 16th and Deerfoot - not possible. Maybe up on 19th Street NE and 16th Ave.

Anyhow, watch Princess Auto for their sales - did the same as davidI and got my own compressor. 30% off and a 50 foot hose has done wonders to end the frustration of looking for air (even pay air) and then finding a station that actually has a compressor that is working properly. CO-OP still was the best bet IMHO, but even CO-OP's's were often were out of service due to cold weather or broken/damaged tool ends.

[Chester]

Centex on 27 Ave NE

[Sugarphreak]

....

[HiTempguy1]

All of the shells in Red Deer installed 50 cent air compressors last week. 2 weeks ago I filled up my tires for free :cry:

[heavyD]

You guys don't have quarters? I don't blame them for charging as it seemed like every free one always has the broken inflator fittings with air spewing out because there are too many idiots out there. Petro Canada Crowfoot used to have the nice digital ones where you adjust the pressure you wanted and it would beep when it got to the pressure. Of course people had to stab and destroy the membrane buttons and now they have the pay style ones.

[Graham_A_M]

If your close to me, the 7-11's on Canyon meadows are both free, and the Co-op right off Canyon medows. :dunno:

Other wise watch out for Canadian Tire & Princess auto for their specials on air compressors. ;)
Sometimes you can get a somewhat decent compressor for a song & dance.

[THEMONK]

Pay the buck and be done with it.

[rach]

hey guys
any more free air pumps in calgary?

thanks

[SpeedIllusion]

Coop in Hamptons has free air - the machine says you have to insert money but if you just press the start button, it goes.

[G-ZUS]

^ Esso @ 12 Ave and 68 Street. Alot of gas stations have complimentary air, just ask the clerk and they'll turn it on for you

[Masked Bandit]

Originally posted by davidI
I got tired of the hassle and bought a compressor. I've found numerous other uses though - nail guns rock!

QFT!

This was the number one reason I bought a compressor. For the vehicles & the trailer.

[frizzlefry]

Yeah I just bought my own little tire air compressor for 50 bucks. Plugs into my lighter socket.

[m10-power]

Originally posted by Unknown303
So I was driving around today looking for a place to air up my tires a bit and I cannot find a gas station that doesn't charge for the air now. In the end I didn't find a place and had to goto work.

I know Co-op by the south costco does but it would have been a long drive to get there..

:rofl:

Whats your time worth you cheap bastard :poosie:

[BigBadVlad]

Petro at Fairmount DR SE and Southland Ave, around back.

[JZS_147]

lol. waste $10 of gas driving around looking for free air, instead of paying $1.

[wardpr68]

Originally posted by JZS_147
lol. waste $10 of gas driving around looking for free air, instead of paying $1.

Most people who are cheap are also not that intelligent....

[lilmira]

Yep, bought a small compressor for the same reason. Had enough with the gas station, they don't work half the times even when I pay. It sucks even more to do it outside in winter.

[msommers]

Did you guys buy a small compressor from crappy tire?

[speedog]

Originally posted by msommers
Did you guys buy a small compressor from crappy tire? Princess Auto too.

[kenny]

They charge for air so people don't leech services for free. If you're a customer (gas) you can always ask for free air.

[toastgremlin]

Husky in Sundance was free the last time I was there.

What compressors at Princess Auto are good? I was thinking of picking one up to use for an impact wrench or air ratchet, but I'm a little anxious about ever buying power tools from there even if the tool end is higher quality.

[Mar]

Husky on 32 and Barlow but it's always broken. Went there yesterday and all it did was deflate my tire.

[msommers]

Yeah I'm in the same boat. I think for an impact wrench and filling tires would be all I'd need it for so I don't want to spend a lot. Does princess auto or crappy tire even sell something that's worthwhile? If so, which ones so I can keep an eye out in the flyers.

[Canmorite]

Centex on Centre ST and 24th ave NW, as well as Centex on 16th ave across from Home Depot. (Hose was broken last time I was there).

Call me cheap, but I hate paying for air :rofl:

[lilmira]

For filling tires you don't need a big one. For air tools though, nailers aren't too bad, air wrench and such uses a lot of air.

[nismodrifter]

Centex (former Gas King) in Midnapore is free

[HuMz]

I haven't tried any compressors from Princess auto but anything from Canadian tire will be garbage. I've used about 3 in the last year and none are capable enough to fill up a LT load range E tire past 28psi.

Best bet would be a ARB onboard air compressor for bigger tires and air tools.

[speedog]

That's the problem with public air - most of them are usually not working for whatever reason, missing the hose or it just don't work right. And of course when the weather gets cold, then that seems to be when everyone needs air and that's when even more public air places go on the blink - thus, my own compressor at home in the garage for the win. Hose is long enough to reach well into the alley so I don't even have to pull into the garage.

Yupp, used to be cheap as well, but the winter before this pissed me off too much on one day when it was cold and the wife's SUV had some low tires - first off, way too many places driven to to just find broken machines and the last one was spewing out so much moisture in it's air that it froze my stems in the open position - luckily some lock de-icer saved the day and the next trip was to Princess Auto for my own set-up.

[colinxx235]

I always use co-op in Mckenzie towne/copper field.

Macs in mk towne has one too I believe

[msommers]

Originally posted by HuMz
I haven't tried any compressors from Princess auto but anything from Canadian tire will be garbage. I've used about 3 in the last year and none are capable enough to fill up a LT load range E tire past 28psi.

Best bet would be a ARB onboard air compressor for bigger tires and air tools.

Good to know, thx. What size of tank would you suggest?

I have E-load LT tires and fill them cold to ~45psi. The rest would be for rotating tires and maybe the odd job on the truck eventually requiring it. The impact gun I have now is electric and works fine for putting nuts back on but doesn't have the power to take them off and I end up having to crack them all by hand anyways.

[ercchry]

i have this kit. it works great

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/6/Tools/1/CompressorsAirTools/Compressors/PRD~0588119P/Campbell+Hausfeld+Air+Compressor%2C+1.3+HP%2C+8+Gallons.jsp?locale=en

i have had it for 6 years i think? havent even had to top off the oil.

EDIT: mine came with more attachments though.

[Tomaz]

It's not being cheap, but I honestly don't know when the last time I carried change on me...

Anyway, Flying J truck stop at Deerfoot and Barlow. It's hidden. Comes out of the ground at Pump 13 I think.

[BigBadVlad]

it's not wasting $10 in fuel looking for free air when it's along one of your daily routes... you keep paying for air and I'll make note of the free air here and where I know it's free. The money I don't spend for air I'll buy a compressor soon enough to have the convenience at home. It hasn't been a priority when the neighborhood Husky has free air too, 24th ST SW just south of Anderson.

[alloroc]

Originally posted by KO22
most of the cashiers in the stations will trick the air machines if you go on in and talk to them ..

[btimbit]

Every Centex has free air. Most other stations will do it for free if you buy gas and just ask them for air.

[clem24]

I am sure most Superstores are free, but why not just head down to Princess Auto and get yourself a small air compressor? Can do a shit load of stuff with it too. Very useful for blowing dust out of PCs, can use air tools, etc...

[masoncgy]

I love how Beyond is apparently 'baller-ville' and yet we have 4 pages of people who don't want to spend $1 on air for their tires... lol.

[Sugarphreak]

...

[wardpr68]

Originally posted by masoncgy
I love how Beyond is apparently 'baller-ville' and yet we have 4 pages of people who don't want to spend $1 on air for their tires... lol.

Most of them wastefully spend on depreciating assets... what do you expect....

[masoncgy]

Originally posted by Sugarphreak


Who carries around change anymore :dunno:

If they had interact on the pumps I would be a lot happier, it is just a nuisance when you need to put air in your tires and they are all coin operated.

Yeah, but you know they take coins already. Keep a few loonies tucked away in the glove box.

First world problem, man.

[Mar]

Originally posted by Sugarphreak
If they had interact on the pumps I would be a lot happier,
Try hugging it.

[gyu]

If you go to Shell and ask the person working there, they can turn it on for you for free. I think it's like this at most places.

[MGCM]

Originally posted by clem24
I am sure most Superstores are free, but why not just head down to Princess Auto and get yourself a small air compressor? Can do a shit load of stuff with it too. Very useful for blowing dust out of PCs, can use air tools, etc...

X2 the above, i paid $40 for a simple yet still useful car outlet air compressor from crappy tire, money well spent, it pays for itself eventually.

[wardpr68]

http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/91/96/60/40/0091966040247_180X180.jpg

I got myself one of these. It's a bit slow, but it works great. I can fill my tires anywhere, anytime. Hooks up to the cigarette lighter.

[Cos]

.

[wardpr68]

No more than 20 bucks. 15 I think.

[relyt92]

I got one of those from auto value when they were on sale for $10. I've had it 2 years now with no issues. As said it's not the quickest thing but the fact that you can refill anywhere is great.

[FraserB]

Originally posted by masoncgy
I love how Beyond is apparently 'baller-ville' and yet we have 4 pages of people who don't want to spend $1 on air for their tires... lol.

I didn't want to keep spending money on air so I went bought a compressor. The nice thing is mine is just as fast as the gas station ones and is hard mounted in the truck. Used it for my tires, friends, bikes and rafts and a few random people who saw me using at the station.

[yellowsnow]

i can get free air from the co-op on 16 ave nw.
centex near my house gives free air too. not sure if they are all like that.

why do u guys fill air so much anyway... :dunno: i fill mine up maybe once or twice a year.

[CompletelyNumb]

I keep a 12v compressor in my truck too. Very handy.

[adidas]

Crappy tire had a compressor for sale the other week. Their website claimed 30 but it was only 20 in store. Pumps a totally deflated tire to 32 in 5 min and i can attest to this.

Would defintely recommend it, pump ur tire anywhere, anytime.

[FraserB]

Originally posted by adidas
Crappy tire had a compressor for sale the other week. Their website claimed 30 but it was only 20 in store. Pumps a totally deflated tire to 32 in 5 min and i can attest to this.

Would defintely recommend it, pump ur tire anywhere, anytime.

What size tire? That small red compressor will take 10 minutes + for some of the truck tires.

[adidas]

Cant rmr but it was a pretty standard tire. Typical 205/65/15 or there abouts. I could see a truck tire taking much longer but then again its not everyday that u need to inflate a tire from scratch!

The one that i purchased is called "12V just in case compressor."

[raceman6135]

Originally posted by masoncgy
I love how Beyond is apparently 'baller-ville' and yet we have 4 pages of people who don't want to spend $1 on air for their tires... lol.

All the true ballers have nitrogen fill stations in their garages :thumbsup:

[leftwing]

The Shell on southland drive, across from southland leisure centre is free.

[nixrx8]

The Husky on 12th Ave and 14st has free air as well.

[SlickA70]

Must have been stated before, but CO-OP usually has free air,
I always use the one on 17th AVE SE going down onto blackfoot.

[Mar]

Wanted to say I tried the three button push at Shell and it didn't work. Also I looked on the machine and right on the front in pretty big letters it says complimentary use is available, see attendant inside. The lettering isn't actually that small and it's right across the middle of the machine. Not sure how I missed it. I took a picture but it's too big to attach.

[toastgremlin]

Looks like some of the Huskies are getting remodelled and losing the free air. The one in Sandstone is the first one I've noticed it at.

In their place is now a pay air pump that says that the money put in will be donated to a charity. :rolleyes:

[95EG6P]

the esso on 68st NE has free air

[cr0n1c]

ESSO on Everridge Dr SW has it for free. You just have to go in and ask them to turn it on.