Ask an expert


corelliz

Can I use a hand pump to pump up a car tyre? I've got a T-shaped hand pump that you steady with your feet. Will the car's weight be too heavy on the tyre as it's being pumped and push the air back out? I've only just noticed the tyre and think it's too low to drive to the garage.

ABayliss

Hand and foot pumps can be used to pump a car tyre if they have the correct valve fitting. The weight of the car will not push the air back out as the valve prevents this from happening. However, it requires a bit of effort and can be quite hard to get the pressure up to the recommended pressure. You should be able to inflate the tyre enough to drive it to the garage where you can inflate it to the correct pressure.
Then it's off to the tyre shop to get the puncture repaired!