MB portable air compressor for tyres

[philharve]

I've just purchased a small 12V M-B air compressor that comes in a small blue case. Its overall dimensions is about the same as two VHS video cassette boxes stacked one on the other. The compressor's cigarette plug with lead and air hose with an integral adjustable pressure gauge fit inside the case behind a flap. It's impressively compact for an pump and is quite powerful despite its small size.

Unfortunately, there was no manual supplied - not that you need one - but I would like to know its full specification so that I have a good idea of its performance.

This is a genuine M-B accessory but try as I may I can find no information about it on the Internet. I have heard that this little item is so useful the M-B owners tend to hang onto it when they sell their cars. Consequently, they are quite rare.

If this is true, does this mean that this particular accessory comes as standard equipment with some Mercedes models?

I have been informed that this air compressor costs somewhere in the region of £130 from M-B - a great deal of money - but fortunately I only paid a fraction of this price for a new one. Thanks eBay!

REGARDS

Phil

 

[SLinKyjoe]

they are fab. my dad has one in his octavia. dunno if the is a silver SLK running around without one but it isnt the one i took okay!

unfortunatley the book gives me aboiut as much info as you already have.....it dont talk long to fill the tyres with wind tho...and not to loud either. people only keep them when they sell for a non merc car next.....they leave them with the car if you replace for a merc...

i am not much help to you but at least you know they are good

 

[philharve]

Air compressor

Thanks SLinKyjoe

I've only just realised the significance of your username ... which I take to mean your are an SLK owner?

Re: Air Compressor

You have been of help because you clearly know about the compressor I'm referring to AND have a manual for it. I imagine the manual is quite thin because the compressor's operation is self explanatory?

My inquiry was prompted by the diagrams on the side of the compressor which refers to '8 minutes max.' which I take to mean the time it takes to inflate a flat tyre to (say) 30PSI? Judging by the size of the compressor this would seem a reatistic estimate. Nice to know it's quiet in operation as I don't want to wke the neighbours on a Sunday morning.

In your reply to appear to suggest that the SLK model comes with an MB air compressor as standard equipment. Is this correct? Does it have a slot in the boot where it lives, perhaps in the centre of the spare tyre? How accurate is the little pressure gauge"

I assume mine can up for sale because the donor car is no longer in existance although on eBay you can never be certain that you are not buying stolen goods. You takes your chance.

REGARDS Phil

 

[SLinKyjoe]

both SLK's (you got the connection right) come with a compressor as they have those daft spacer saver spares. The r170 it was in the top middle of the spare in a polystyerene holder with the rest of the tools. so you had to move everything out of the boot to get to it....Not a problem as you cud only get 2 suitcases in it.

the latest goes one better...they make you move the spare out as well.

The diagram on the side of the compressor box IS the manual for it. All the handbook on the car says is where it is and how to jack the thing up. It pumps out way past 30psi. The space savers need 61. The gauge seems accurate but is in BAR. Which i dont have too much problem with as the fuel gauge flap has pressues in both but i always check with an accurate electronic gauge which is fabulously calibrated in PSI. I check this gauge every now and then by comapring it at places where they charge you for air. Those gauges are checked by the trading people.

the 8 minute thing means the maximum time you should let it run before you stop it and allow it to cool down a bit.

 

[mlc]

Only thing to add to Uncle Slinkys perfect (as always) post is that according to our user guide not all 170's got the pump, because some did not have a spare and used a sealant / inflater bottle instead. The alleged advantage of this solution was that you got more boot space, not sure what youre supposed to do if the tyre is damaged but thats another story.

Mark.

 

[SLinKyjoe]

once again you are further right......do believe it is a std fittment on the AMG spec ones....and i did notice it was a no-cost option on mine...frees up all of a handbag worth of round boot space. spose it mite be an idea if you had a 36l lpg tank fitted.

 

[philharve]

Spacesaver tyres

Thanks All

OK gents, I have all the info' I require, re: air compressor. Evidently it's more powerful than its diminutive size suggests. Thanks for the '8 minute max.' warning. I got that bit wrong, I thought that's how long it takes to inflate a tyre.

Spacesaver tyres ... on a MB ... I find that difficult to believe (but I must). I have a full size tyre in my C-class. Strange that the more expensive MB models should revert to a spacesaver tyre (ugghh!).

I've heard you can buy a circular container that you can fit in the centre of the spare wheel. You can't hold much in it but it makes use of an otherise redundant space in the boot. Maybe I can get one on eBay.

Returning to spacesaver tyres ... why are they used ... is the boot space much smaller in the more upmarket models? My boot is cavernous.

REGARDS Phil

 

[mlc]

Phil - the clues in the name - to save space Sorry but I couldn't resist it.

Two reasons for space savers, the first is that its cheaper to stick a steel space saver in the boot rather than supply another alloy the second is - to save space.

As tyres have got bigger and especially wider they are harder to hide in the boot. My last two Mondeos have both had space savers and when I had a puncture I was shocked at how much boot space the "real" tyre took. On the SLK as you now know not only is the spare a tiny space saver but it is stored flat to save even more space. I have not had the bad luck of a puncture but I suspect that if you have much in the boot yourr stuffed - you can hardly stack the excess items on the back seat! We also have a 1972 350SL, that has a full size spare - but that is too big for the boot. The spare seats in its own little compartment under the boot floor but this is extended forward under the roof compartment, so even if the boot is empty you cant just throw the puncture in the boot.

Mark.

 

[SLinKyjoe]

and to add to the nephews comments above......the space saver is the only option for cars with 225 fronts and 245 rears.......which spare do you take?....

the old slk may have been a cut short c class chassis but they cut the boot out of it too..

in the new one it is purpose built so as they cud put more space in for a 70l tank....the rear space with the roof in is bigger than the old model but only by inches....and when the roof is up and out of the way it isnt any bigger than the previous. model.....the seats do have more room behind but i am talking about a suit holder type size....or a big squishy bag that you half full and stuff behind the seats then spends hours ironing the creases out of clothes you neatly folded in it...to be honest its easier to buy new clothes on arrrival.

 

[pascal]

'8 minutes max.'

phil. Are you sure that this is not the maximun amount of time the pump should be run for before letting cool down. a lot of small electric motor devices have maximun continous usage time.

sh.t i missed that above by joe

 

[SLinKyjoe]

i like the comment about upmarket models....with all these SL owners running about i am the down market scratter here...and the SLK aint practical like the c-class sport coupe either..so i lose on both accounts.....mind you...the residuals are astounding!

OH!. you see my picture (avatar). well if anyone is driving a 2002 brilliant silver SLK 200K Manual with a Mr Bouncy between the roll bars looking out to the rear? I do know where your Tyre Compressor is, and also the entire contents of your first aid bag!

 

[philharve]

8 minutes max'.

Hi pascal

SLinKyjoe corrected me. He confirmed the '8 minutes max' was the running time and NOT the inflation time. Thanks.

I don't know whether the compressor will automatically cutout after 8 minutes to allow itself to cool or whether the user has to remember not to let it run for longer than necessary. The former is the most sensible approach, built-in design feature,especially since the pump is an expensive accessory. I have not tested the pump since I bought it so maybe I'll give it a go this Easter weekend.

REGARDS Phil

 

[SLinKyjoe]

it wont stop unless you turn it off....but it will over heat eventually

 

[philharve]

Oh dear, it's not that clever an accessory after all. I thought it would shut itself down to protect itself from overheating. Thanks for the update SLinKyjoe.

REGARDS Phil

 

[philharve]

A Little Marvel

I recently used the small MB electric tyre pump purchased on ebay and it is indeed a little marvel.

It pumps away merrily when 12V power is applied and the little regulator in the pump's output tube allows air to escape to the atmosphere when the pressure exceeds that required. The pressure regulator with integral dial gauge, though small (<1 inch dia.), proved suprisingly accurate. Worth rechecking with a high quality pressure gauge though.

Despite its small size the pump managed to increase the pressure in one of my car tyres by 10 psi in under 2 minutes. I can well believe that this little, hard-working pump will inflate a totally flat tyre in around 5 to 6 minutes. The pump was not silent in operation but it was not particularly intrusive either.

The power cable with connector and tube with regulator fold away inside the tough outer casing although to do this correctly can be a it fiddly at first. It needs practice.

I paid well below the MB price for this pump (new) and its performance did not disappoint. Highly recommended.

REGARDS Phil