Product test - ARB E-Z Tyre Deflator
Every four-wheel driver should adjust their vehicle’s tyre pressures to suit the terrain and that means airing down when you leave the bitumen and hit the dirt. The ARB E-Z Tyre Deflator is one of the fastest and most convenient ways to deflate tyres.
Running the correct tyre pressures to suit different terrain is of critical importance – not only will it improve vehicle performance but will also result in extended tyre life, a more comfortable ride and minimised the risk of tyre and track damage.
If you drive a standard or slightly modified 4x4 wagon or ute, chances are you’ll be running around 35psi in your tyres when driving on the road, depending on accessories fitted and vehicle load. Once you drive off the blacktop and hit gravel roads you’ll want to reduce tyre pressures to around 26-30psi, and then if you find yourself crawling over rocky terrain you’ll need to deflate further, to as low as 22psi. Hit the sand and you’ll probably need to go even lower, to around 16psi, before re-inflating to road pressures once you’re back on the bitumen.
Tyre deflation can be a time-consuming operation, especially if you have big tyres on your rig, and/or if you tow a trailer. Squatting down with a stick to poke in the tyre valve and checking the pressure with a gauge every 30 seconds or so is no one’s idea of fun, but there is a better way: the ARB E-Z Tyre Deflator.
How Does It Work?
The ARB E-Z Tyre Deflator is only one of many similar tyre deflators on the market but after three years of regular use I can certainly attest to its excellent performance and durability.
As its name suggests, the E-Z Deflator is easy to use… once you’ve familiarised yourself with it, that is. The first thing to do is to screw the device on to the valve stem and, once secure, ensure the sliding valve (where the air pressure gauge connects) is pushed in. The next step is to push the end-knob of the E-Z Deflator in until it engages with the tyre’s valve, and then turn it ant-clockwise until the tyre’s valve has been removed.
That last bit is the key to the E-Z Tyre Deflator’s fast deflation, as air can escape the tyre quickly without the valve hindering its progress. To deflate, simply pull back on the device’s sliding valve, and to check tyre pressure just push the sliding valve back in and look at the gauge, which is nice and big with clear markings, and has proven to maintain its accuracy over time.
Once you’ve achieved the desired pressure, simply screw the tyre’s valve back in by pushing on the end-knob of the E-Z Deflator and turning it clockwise until secure, then unscrew the complete device from the valve stem and replace the dust cap. Oh, and you don’t have to worry about losing the tyre’s valve as it’s always contained within the E-Z Tyre Deflator unit when attached to the valve stem.
What’s it made from?
The E-Z Tyre Deflator is made from corrosion-resistant brass and stainless steel, and the accuracy of the included Bourdon tube gauge is not affected by changes in temperature, humidity or altitude.
The face of the gauge is big and easy to read, and it’s marked in one-psi increments ranging from 0-60psi. The gauge is enclosed in a rubber housing to protect it from knocks and drops.
The E-Z Tyre Deflator is supplied in a bright-orange canvas pouch that makes it easy to find when you need it.
Details
What: ARB E-Z Deflator
Price: $73
Where: arb.com.au
