JAXRS6
September 23rd, 2003, 07:20
A slow leak in my right rear Pirelli led to my unpacking & using the air compressor that comes standard with the RS6 in the U.S. (so that the deflated spare can be inflated). Observations:
Mine compressor was tough to release from its velcro grip. Apparently, velcro means the same as superglue in German. (Seriously, I would not want to be trying to get the compressor out for the first time in adverse conditions such as rain or snow; it took 3 minutes or more to get it loose. Also, its location -- tucked in a black passenger side compartment of the black trunk -- requires use of a flashlight for enough visibility at night.)
Once I got it loose, operation was easy: Twist the valve end onto the tire valve, then plug it into one of the cigarette lighters & switch it on. It's a bit noisy -- won't be appreciated by neighbors at 3 a.m. -- but it works. As warned in the literature, tho, don't operate it for more than 5 minutes or it may overheat.
Getting the electric wire and air hose packed back into the box provided was a little tricky. The box itself is about the size of an abbreviated old 8-track tape player, if you can imagine that -- pretty compact, I thought.
At first I was bummed about needing a compressor at all; the deflated spare is a necessary evil IMO. But it's better than no spare, a la Corvette (and E55 IIRC), and as I discovered, the compressor can be very useful even when the spare is not involved.
Mine compressor was tough to release from its velcro grip. Apparently, velcro means the same as superglue in German. (Seriously, I would not want to be trying to get the compressor out for the first time in adverse conditions such as rain or snow; it took 3 minutes or more to get it loose. Also, its location -- tucked in a black passenger side compartment of the black trunk -- requires use of a flashlight for enough visibility at night.)
Once I got it loose, operation was easy: Twist the valve end onto the tire valve, then plug it into one of the cigarette lighters & switch it on. It's a bit noisy -- won't be appreciated by neighbors at 3 a.m. -- but it works. As warned in the literature, tho, don't operate it for more than 5 minutes or it may overheat.
Getting the electric wire and air hose packed back into the box provided was a little tricky. The box itself is about the size of an abbreviated old 8-track tape player, if you can imagine that -- pretty compact, I thought.
At first I was bummed about needing a compressor at all; the deflated spare is a necessary evil IMO. But it's better than no spare, a la Corvette (and E55 IIRC), and as I discovered, the compressor can be very useful even when the spare is not involved.