You may not truly understand the importance of knowing how to use a foot pump unless you are on a road trip and your car’s tire could use some air all of a sudden – truly a nightmare, isn’t it?
In such dire situations, calling for professional help seems impossible, and trying out an experiment sounds risky.
So, what should you do? You go through the manual of the pump you have in the car’s trunk, and the instructions seem difficult to decipher. So you get frustrated more than ever.
If this is a circumstance you never want to face in your life again (or ever), then you should go through our comprehensive article right away.
This article will not only tell you about the device’s usage but also let you know about its other aspects!
What Is a Foot Pump?
Now, we all have a general idea regarding what a foot pump is – the name sort of gives it away.
However, to use it efficiently, you should have more knowledge regarding it. Starting from its mechanism to what it can be used for, knowing the ins and outs will prove to be quite beneficial.
That is why we will be discussing that in this section of the article. Once you get to know this tool entirely, we will move on to the part where you use it.
a) Uses
The device is operated by your foot, which basically moves the gases or liquids inside the pump. And this aspect of the tool makes it suitable for various uses – so you can get one and probably use it for multiple purposes.
For starters, you can use it to inflate rafts as well as fill air mattresses. And having one for such purposes is quite handy; because you might need to refill your rafts or mattresses often.
But foot pumps are mostly popular for pumping bikes and even car tires. The tool needed for these is often more powerful than the ones needed for the tasks mentioned above.
Surprisingly, you can use one to remove water from a mini bilge and even to pump water when you need to wash your hands!
b) Design
Despite the differences in uses, all types of foot pumps come with the same design.
The pump housing connects to an intake port with a valve, which basically makes sure the content inside (gas or liquid) flows in one direction. On the other hand, there is a sealant and an outtake port.
Both of these combine to make sure the content doesn’t leave the pump from any other part than the outtake port itself. Interestingly, the outtake port also contains a valve to ensure one-direction flow.
The housing of the pump also contains pistons or springs. These make sure the pump depresses slowly and automatically.
c) Convenience of Use
One of the aspects that make foot pumps so popular is the convenience with which their customers can operate them.
The best foot pumps for car tire are small devices that can be carried virtually everywhere, and they also do not need electricity to operate. These aspects make them handy for its users no matter where they are.
More importantly, foot pumps can be designed to draw in less or more volumes of content depending on the use. And, both can be done in the same time frame because leg muscles are usually strong enough to apply more pressure.
As a result, you won’t face any hassle whatsoever, no matter what you are using the foot pump for.
How to Use a Foot Pump?
[su_youtube_advanced url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4U-zZm7YVg”]
After being familiar with a foot pump entirely, you should get familiar with how to use it. Surely, the mechanism is no rocket science, and you will get the hang of it after one or two uses only.
But it is still recommended for you to know the process properly before you get to apply it to anything. Although there are various uses of this tool, the operation is pretty much the same in each case.
And we would still suggest you go through the manual of the foot pump you bought because different products may contain different instructions.
i) Set Up the Pump
Although we have mentioned that all foot pumps come with the same design, their advanced construction may be different from one another – requiring different setups.
So you should first go through the manual of the device and start setting it up.
For starters, open the package carefully and handle the foot pump delicately from then on. Then attach any accessories if required.
ii) Connect the Pump to the Application
Once you have set up the tool properly, you need to connect the pump to the application. Now, this application can be a tire, a raft, or even an air mattress for all we know.
There are two valves, one will be attached to the application, and the other will be on the side of the outside air. Keep in mind that both are one-direction valves.
And you need to make sure you are attaching the correct valve to the application because otherwise, you won’t be able to execute the process and might face some trouble.
iii) Press Down Your Foot On The Pump
Now that you have attached the pump properly to the application, you need to start operating it. For that, start by putting your stronger foot on the pump to make sure you are using the required amount of energy.
Afterward, slowly press down the pump. But make sure the process isn’t too slow because the pistons are already there to ensure that.
This operation will close the inlet valve and open the valve towards the application.
iv) Lift Up Your Foot from the Pump
After pressing down once, if you feel like you have already drawn in all the content from the pump to the application, then you need to lift your foot up.
There’s no need to be careful at this point because the springs in the pump will make sure it depresses naturally and slowly.
So, just lift your foot up once you are done.
v) Continue the Method if Necessary
Usually, one press on the foot pump does not accomplish a task entirely. You might need to follow the process a few more times – especially if you are inflating something.
So similar to the previous two steps, you need to press your foot down and lift it up.
Keep on doing it until the task has been accomplished. And once you are done, store it safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long will it take to pump a car tire with a foot pump?
This aspect depends entirely on the pressure of the foot pump. With 30 psi, you will need about 10-15 minutes to fill up a car tire entirely. However, with lower pressure, the time will be higher and vice versa. So spend your time according to the pressure it can apply.
2. Can I check my tire pressure with a foot pump?
Yes, you can check tire pressure with a foot pump. Basically, you will have to attach the foot pump to a valve of the vehicle. You will hear beeps once the gauge that is testing reaches the proper air limit. Then check each of the valves and replace the cap once you are done.
3. What sets apart a foot pump and a compressor?
Although both are often suspected to be the same, they are very different. The former moves gas or liquid from one spot to another, whereas the latter reduces the volume of gas and pumps it in another spot simultaneously.
4. How much do foot pumps cost?
The price of foot pumps varies greatly, the basic ones are very reasonable, and you might find them within 10-30 dollars. However, the more advanced ones often cross 100 dollars.
5. Are foot pumps better than hand pumps?
In a sense, yes, they are definitely better than hand pumps. That is simply because they are easier and less painful to operate. Since leg muscles are stronger, you can squeeze in more gas/liquid without a lot of energy expenditure in comparison.
Final Words
Knowing how to use a foot pump will be handy in many circumstances and save you from a lot of trouble. And I hope with the elaborate instructions in the article, you won’t be facing any more hassle regarding it.
