From everyone’s favourite tyre maker/world renowned reviewer of restaurants is this, the Michelin Programmable Superfast 4x4/SUV Tyre Inflator, and you can tell from the get-go that it means business — it looks less than a tyre inflator than it does something from Star Trek. Or a really fancy spirit level.

Like the Ring RTC1000, its designers have also thought of where to store your valve caps when you’re inflating, and have included a little stand. You’ll first need to remove the valve caps (remember — righty tighty, lefty loosey); then attach your tyre inflator or pressure gauge, and compare the number that appears to the recommended pressure for your tyres — more often than not displayed in psi, and usually somewhere between 30 and 35. Overlooking your tyre pressures will not only result in poor performance and reduced safety, but will cost you more money. Having the best car tyre inflator you can find is an important step in maintaining your vehicle.Fitted with extra-long 3.5m power cable and fused 12V DC power plug to help you reach all around the vehicle It’s noisy, dishing out 77dB in operation. And the pressure gauge can be difficult to read since, because it goes up to 250psi, that crucial 0 to 60psi zone is crammed into the first quarter of the dial. However, it pumped up our test tyre from 20 to 30psi in just under two-and-a-half minutes, with no fuss or faff. It’s a shame that the supplied accessories are so basic – just a ball inflator and two adaptors for inflatable toys – still, if you’re looking to spend as little as possible, then the Storm Force Mini does the job. The prize draw “10 years Rohde & Schwarz oscilloscopes” (herein referred to as “Draw”) is organized by Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG, Mühldorfstraße 15, 81671 Munich, Germany, Tel. +49 89 41 29 0 (herein referred to as “R&S). Some inflators have 12V ports so they can effectively be used as an extension lead that connects other accessories to your car’s power. If your car isn’t fitted with a USB port, it’s useful to have a tyre inflator with this feature so that you can charge a tablet or smartphone on the road. Other accessories include a spare fuse for the 12V connector, spare valve caps in case you drop one down a drain (how thoughtful) and some rubber gloves so that you don’t get your fingers dirty or greasy. There’s also a nifty lightweight case so that you can securely store the inflator in the boot. Ring RTC1000 performance

Award-winning digital tyre inflator that rapidly inflates a 13 tyre from 0 to 35PSI in two minutes. The Ring RTC1000 Tyre Inflator is a 12V digital rapid pre-set air compressor from Ring Automotive. The inflator comes in a storage bag (always useful!) but also contains some protective gloves, which are ideal for protecting you from the dirt on your wheels and valves. It has a large digital display that shows the current pressure reading and your target pressure, plus a status indicator across the middle. The unit is small enough to keep in your boot and comes with its own case to keep the dirt out of your car. The 12v connector can be neatly wound away on a spindle, saving the normal tangle you get yourself into. The 3.5m lead isn’t perhaps as long as some on the market but can do the job of reaching the tyre furthest away from the in-car power supply.

How?

You can tell how close your tyre is to its prime psi using a progress bar on the screen, which is useful, although we found that the bar could get a bit confused as the tyre became closer to full inflation. Once the pressure of the tyre hits the pre-set level, inflation automatically shuts off, and handily, the machine will remember your preferred pressure level for next time you use it. Ring RTC1000 Tyre Inflator Review: The verdict Before this one we owned the RAC630 which has been a great servant over the years, and I fully expect this one to live up to expectations too. Would I recommend it? Yes. Its colour scheme also has practical benefits, with bright yellow buttons that are easy to see in the dark. Ring have just come out with an all new rapid digital tyre inflator – the RTC1000, it comes with more accessories than you’d imagine, so we put one to the test. The entire device sits on five rubber-ended feet, which allows it to sit on the ground and coolly inflate your tyres without moving around too much, an issue that afflicts a lot of tyre inflators. Ring RTC1000 practicality