Ah, so you're on a KLR 650, aka "The Tractor". Excellent! It's the best choice for doing long distance adventure touring when you're poor as shit. They're cheap, simple and hilariously tolerant of abuse. MASSIVE aftermarket for parts and accessories, too.

• Some things are worth over-planning and some things aren't. Route is not something you should plan too much, emergency options and mechanical stuff is. Make sure you've got AAA Premeir (The basic AAA plan doesn't cover motorcycles), and health insurance. The more mechanical skills you have and the better you know your bike, the better.
  
• Get to be a regular on ADV Rider, and make use of their Tent Space list to find people to stay with for free. Also an amazing resource for when you crash and break stuff, just about anyone on that forum will bend over backwards to find a truck and drive out into the middle of nowhere to rescue you, bring you back to their garage and then help you fix the bike in exchange for hearing your stories from the road.
  
• Yes, food is expensive and $10/day is the minimum you should plan for. Cooking for yourself can help keep costs down, a Whisperlite stove is much better for this as opposed to a Jetboil.
  
• For eating cheap, instant pasta packets are a great option. Like these: https://www.target.com/s?searchTerm=pasta+side+dish That's actually a pretty high price for them, if you are good about hitting discount grocery stores like Aldi and always getting the generic or store-brand stuff, you can sometimes find them for as little as $0.70/pack. Add the contents to 2 cups boiling water, simmer for 7 minutes and you're done. They pack super small, they're tasty, calorie dense, really cheap and easy. Also, instant mashed potatoes (in similar sized pouches) are usually findable for under $1/pouch, and instant rice. All of these options are usually a bit light on protein, so supplement them with tuna pouches like these: https://www.target.com/s?searchTerm=tuna+packets and precooked chicken breasts like this: https://i2.wp.com/www.wicproject.com/images/2010/07/tyson_grilledready_bag.jpg?resize=216%2C216 . The instant oatmeal packs are a great option, just plan on eating at least two for each breakfast. Oh, and don't forget the peanut butter. I had plenty of camping nights where dinner was eating peanut butter out of the jar with a spork.
  
• Disperse camping in National Forest/BLM land is lovely and a brilliant option. But keep in mind that once you get east of the Rocky Mountains, such areas are MUCH harder to find. That being said, it's still possible to "Stealth Camp" even in the flyover states, but it takes some skill and a good eye. If you google for "Stealth Camping with a motorcycle" you can find a lot of info on some tricks on doing it well.
  
• KLRs do burn oil, it's kind of the nature of the beast of a cheaply made low-stress thumper. Many people use Shell Rotella T6 (it's a full synthetic designed for diesel trucks but works great in motorcycle engines), but you'll be fine using whatever cheapskate store-brand dinosaur oil you can find as long as it's close to the right viscosity.
  
• While we're talking about oil, remember that you'll need to do a full oil and filter change at least three times on this trip. Long distance cruising on pavement is actually really easy on engines and oil (it's a consistent speed, temperature and load) so you can stretch the usual 3,000 mile requirement to every 5,000 miles. Autozone/AdvancedAuto/O/Reilly auto parts type stores will usually have the filter, and in most states they are legally required to take old oil for free. Google how to do a parking lot oil change (Hint; find a small cardboard box in a trash can somewhere, line it with like three or four layers of plastic bags from the auto parts store, and drain the oil into that).
  
• Actually, your KLR does use Tube tires, becuase it's a giant over-sized sorta-dirt bike. Generally, anything with spoked wheels uses tube tires. So that is the proper patch kit, although my personal preference is to carry as small 12v compressor as opposed to the CO2 tubes. Like this: https://www.amazon.com/Slime-40001-Motorcycle-Tire-Inflator/dp/B000ET9SB4 (Make sure to have the bike running while using the compressor!)
  
• Bring the patch kit, but also carry a spare tube. Get the proper tube for the 21" front wheel, and in an emergency you can actually shove it into the rear wheel as well. It'll work fine for getting you back to civilization where you can buy a proper new tube.
  
• Okay this part is important. Patching a tube tire or even just replacing the tube is NOT SIMPLE. You need to remove the wheel from the bike, then remove the tire and tube from the rim. If you plan on doing this on the side of the road, that means you need to have a center stand on the bike, and carry all the tools needed to pull off either wheel, PLUS a set of tire spoons and something to use as lube (mixing up some dish soap in water works great). Oh, then you need to know how to do it all. My suggestion is to spend a weekend practicing it at home before you leave so you know how it's supposed to work, lots of videos on youtube can help you with this. Trying to figure it out by yourself for the first time in the middle of nowhere isn't how you want to learn.
  
• Speaking of tires, what tires do you currently have on the bike?
  
• As for chain and sprockets . . . eh, maybe. Be rigorous about cleaning and lubing your chain every 500 miles, keep an eye on how worn the teeth are getting but you'll probably be okay.
  
• Tool kit. Fortunately because the KLR650 is such a popular bike, many other people have already done the work of figuring out what a good roadside toolkit consists of. Read over this thread for a lot of information: https://www.klr650.net/forums/showthread.php?t=86172 Some carry more, some carry less. If you google for "KLR650 Adventure Toolkit" you'll find a lot of info. Tools and ability to use them are something you should over-plan on.
  
• The KLR's alternator can provide PLENTY of power to charge your phone. When people are talking about insufficient power from it, they're talking about running stuff like high-output auxiliary headlights, electrically heated jackets and pants and seats for both rider AND passenger, stereo systems, etc, and all at the same time. Just charging a phone and running some heated grips, you'll be fine.
  
• Oh yeah, you should get some heated handgrips. Trust me. I think the effect is more psychological than anything, but when you're cold and wet having warm hands makes a world of difference. Simple under-grip elements (requires you take off your existing grips, then put the heating elements onto the bars, then put your grips back on) are like $30. Fancier new grips with integrated heating elements (such as made by Oxford) are around $100.
  
• Jeeze those ammo cans are gigantic. Yeah, I think you'll be fine for waterproofing with those things. But your duffel/rear seat bag needs to be waterproof as well. As I mentioned in another post, Mosko Moto bags are amazing but really expensive.
  
• For keeping your neck dry, I recommend rain gear with an integrated hood. You put the hood on UNDER your helmet, and it stops the rain from running down your neck. Something like this is good for your budget: https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/nelson-rigg-sr-6000-stormrider-rain-suit, it's sized to go over your existing gear (Which isn't waterproof. I know, I know. The label that came on your jacket and pants says that it's waterproof. It's not. It's waterproof enough for a light afternoon shower, but if you're riding all day in a thunderstorm it WILL get soaked through. I speak from experience).
  -Also for keeping your head and neck warm, get one of these: https://www.underarmour.com/en-us/mens-coldgear-infrared-hood/pcid1244401?scid=scplp1244401-001&sc_intid=1244401-001&cid=PLA|US|NB|GGL|DES|SiC|ROAS|&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0PuRqLXW1wIVB25-Ch3KlQb2EAYYAiABEgKOovD_BwE
  
  A word on off-pavement stuff: The KLR 650 is extremely capable of taking you very far off the beaten path if you put knobby tires on it, well away from pavement and civilization and deep into the wilderness. Which is awesome, totally awesome. That's my style of touring, personally. But it comes with a LOT of other risks and considerations. Are you thinking of doing a lot of backcountry riding on this trip?

Had a post like this awhile ago with more insight for those who care...

I guess I can repost my own post:

I do this kind of thing as a part time job for CDOT (Colorado Dept of Transportation) when I want extra money to buy something stupid, so I have some good insight as to what gets people stuck.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>An extra belt and a breaker bar big enough to move the tensioner.

I mean, I don't carry an extra belt, but I'm pretty good about checking wear on it every few weeks or so. However, a breaker bar is definitely definite definitely recommended. It's most useful for wheel lugs, but it'll work on a belt tensioner too.

>Spare hose clamp for if you blow a radiator hose off/ intake hose/ turbo hose/ whatever. They cost like nothing (literal cents), but when you need it you need it. You ain't going anywhere with no air intake/ turbo intake/ coolant hose.

>Bottle jack? instead of the stock scissor jack?

No you don't need a full size floor jack.

If you have a regular passenger car (like a 4 door car) the scissor jack will work fine. They are kind of tedious to jack up and down but it's for an emergency, not everyday use. The bottle jack is a good idea for large SUV, Trucks, and RVs. Make sure you have a base or something on it if you have any sort of lift. Also remember that you will have to jack up much further to install the inflated tire than you had to for the flat one.

Only other advice I have here is actually pull that jack out and figure out how to use it. They all gotta be different and some are like oragami in how this click into that, which slides onto that... Reading the user manual and deciphering the IKEA-esque pictures on the side of the road just adds frustration and stress to the already crappy situation.

>Fix-a-flat kit

Meh. A spare tire is the better option. Make sure you check it's inflated at least every couple months. It's very very common that people have a spare, but that its flat. It does you no good as a spare if it's flat. A tire plug kit a definitely a good thing though. If you do HAVE to use the fix a flat, prepare to have a tire shop guy charge you twice when they find it all over the wheel. It's a nightmare to clean off, and as others have said will ruin you TPMS sensor. Depending on the make/model of your car this could be another $35 to $100 you have to spend, in addition to a new tire.

>Lights! and flares

(Ignore the guy in the comments that said lights are only emergency vehicles. He has no idea what he's talking about)

For an emergency kit, flares are better since they don't require batteries (that you will forget to change/ charge). However, lots of road flares last 30 - 60 minutes. It should take you 20 to change a flat. Be careful with the flares as many types drip as they burn. Don't light yourself or the side of the road on fire. I know you're thinking "well duh" but it happens every year in CO where I live. Someone lights the brush on fire near the highway cause they put flares out and got to fixing their car and not paying attention.

That said, you can get LED road flares that are bright and really good at attracting attention. Look up the laws in your area. Some places restrict the color you can use. Amber (orange) is usually a pretty safe color to choose. If you can get on that has more than one color, it's better. Monochromatic light doesn't give people good depth perception. Avoid as much as possible bright white strobes facing rearward. All you're going to do is blind the people you are trying not to get hit by.

> Screwdriver set with misc bits

Like others have said, this won't be super useful for your car, but for various other tasks it can be a huge time/ money/ aggravation saver to just have basic tools for random things. Ever tried to get a hose clamp off with just your fingers? You just have to remember to put those tools back in the kit. You don't need Snap Off for this as they likely won't get used that much. Don't get the cheapest ones at Harbor Freight either. Get the " pittburgh professional" ones.

> Socket set?

You can get the set if you want to, but at a minimum get the socket that fits your lugs. Get the drive size that fits the breaker bar you got from above (likely 1/2"). When I do this for work I had a cordless impact driver which was awesome, but a breaker bar doesn't require you to remember to charge batteries, and I haven't found anyone that just wasn't strong enough to use one. A breaker bar is like $15. Cordless impact driver powerful enough is like $250+.

>Glass Breaker/ Hammer

Honestly, you'd be better off with a spring loaded center punch. You have to have room to swing the hammer, and some people (elderly, children) just don't have the strength to hit the window hard enough. With the center punch, you just touch it to the glass and push until it clicks. Many cops and firefighters use these as a means to get you out. If you go this route, have a seat belt cutter, pocket knife, something...

>Fire Extinguisher

It's better if you mount this somewhere where it wont get buried. My favorite place is honestly the trunk lid or right in front of the taillight area in a car, under one of the seats for a SUV or truck (if you can easily flip it up). Imagine yourself suddenly panicking and thinking holy goddamn s**t my car is on fire, and scrambling to get to your extinguisher. Put it somewhere you can scramble to easy. If it takes longer than 10 seconds, its not accessible enough.

• Basic first aid kit. useful for everything. Make sure if you use it, restock it.
  
  > A little portable air compressor
  
  can really help if you get a flat and have a flat spare. Not necessary but sure is nice. You can use it for other things too (blowing up sports balls air mattresses etc...). They usually take FOREVER to fill a tire, but if you're stuck anyway...
  
  >Roll of duct tape (because obviously).
  
  I've used it to tape up bumpers after an accident so they can at least get off the road, to secure wiring, to a whole number of other things.
  
  >Spare fluids.
  
  Maybe. Gallon of coolant or distilled water at least. quart of oil, etc... This also depends on where you normally drive. If you never leave the city and a parts store is usually a couple blocks away then you don't have to bother. If you live outside the city and it would take you the entire afternoon to walk the next 15 miles to the store...well, plan accordingly.
  
  
  > Tire pressure gauge.
  
  To check main and spare tires. Don't trust the ones on the gas station pump (they get slammed around and scraped on the ground). I've seen them as inaccurate as 15 - 20 p.s.i. off.
  
  > Jumper cables.
  
  Better yet, your own jump pack.. Jumper cables are only useful if someone else is there to rescue you.
  
  > A tow strap
  
  is kinda nice, but if you're stuck and there's nobody else around it won't help you (unless you have a winch/ come-along). Nothing wrong with having one handy in case someone comes along though.
  
  
  > Tire chains.
  
  Don't know where you live but in CO there is actually a new (ish) chain law for passenger vehicles. When it's in effect you are supposed to have chains (or alternative traction device) in place. It's not just for truckers anymore. I take them out in the summer.
  
  > A shaker siphon
  
  Makes transferring fuel way way way way way less infuriating than dealing with the stupid friggin gas cans you have to buy nowadays. All the silly safeties and valves, it's like playing goddamn BopIt. They also work for coolant and washer fluid too, not that you would be dumping gallons of washer fluid... How to use it I don't carry a fuel container in my truck with me, but FYI it's illegal (in the US at least) to transport fuel in anything other than an approved fuel container. I doubt you'll get in trouble, just something to consider.

Sure, here goes, but its up to you to figure out what is what:

1. Pagnol M1 jacket —
   This jacket was from the first run of jackets. The quality is great, and has improved since I got mine (my buddy got one from the next production run). Pockets for armor, good for 3 season riding (with some layers) Plus my tablet fits in the back protector pocket.
   
   
2. Stylemartin Boots — They look good and provide good protection. I can wear them all day. Except the laces they come with always give out on the shifter side (at least for me) so that's been replaced with paracord.
   
   
3. Simpson Street Bandit Helmet —
   Snell & Dot rated, good airflow and visibility. Installing a sena headset onto this was a breeze. Currently covered in bugs.
   
   
4. Sena 10C —
   The camera is pretty shitty but it's better than no camera. I try to use it as a dashcam. The build quality of the device is not the greatest as one of the clips on the device has broken off and I contacted customer support with no response whatsoever. Audio quality is good though. They are releasing a new device, the Sena 10C Evo, that looks like it solves some of the issues with the 10C.
   
   
5. Earplugs —
   These are awesome and cheap. They live in the pill container on my keys. So much better than foam earplugs.
   
   
6. Keysmart — Fuck jingly & pointy keys. A usb & multitool also lives on this guy.
   
   
7. Rev'it Dirt 2 Gloves — Good airflow, not much wrist protection. They are gloves but I have an extra long left middle finger or something, cause that finger always gives out first.
   
   
8. Cruz Tool Roll — I actually have the non BMW one, but need to add the torx tools to this. I also carry an extra tool set that isn't pictured. I recommend this toolkit for everyone. It's tiny and extremely robust, but hard to find.
   
   
9. External Battery USB — has a really bright light and can charge my things forever. Did a tour of Sri Lanka and charged this instead of finding outlets and adapters. The light even has a flashing and SOS mode.
   
   
10. Slime air compressor — Haven't really needed it yet but it's there.

I've had my S for about eight months or so now, and obviously this early in the lifespan of the car I don't have a lot of long-term information on cost of ownership, but I'll offer what I can:

The oil changes are more expensive than a standard car. They're about on par with a luxury or performance car. For instance, my parents own a Merc and after comparing notes with my Dad, it's pretty similar. The plus side is that your new car will come with four free oil changes from the dealership, so that helps for a while. Also, the standard Cooper is pretty easy to change the oil on if you have a decent oil pump like a Topsider. (The S's engine is a bit more cramped and harder to do) You don't even have to get under the car to do it! You can practice at the halfway interval between dealer-supplied changes at first and then just transition over to doing all of them when those run out.

The non-S is also cheaper on tires than the S. At ~15k miles my front tires were getting some noticeable wear on them. I rotated them so I imagine I'll probably need to change the tires somewhere around 30-40k miles depending on how I drive. The S comes standard with run-flats since there's no place in the car for a donut. The standard Cooper has a spare bolted to the bottom rear of the car so you can more safely run standard (cheaper) tires without worrying about being stranded after a blowout. The non-S will also be a little easier on tires since it has less power.

You'll be able to save money with the standard Cooper instead of the S for sure. Of course, by getting the non-S you're going to be missing a LOT of power. My advice would be to NOT test drive an S if you're not set on getting one. Just...don't let yourself know what you're missing.

Okay so here is the part thats included

Its kinda pricey. Its a pretty beefy compressor and it has a replaceable fix-a-flat style sealant canister.

Now you can get a beefier, similarly sized compressor for less money, like this one but thats going to actually be more than you need. Ive seen a few complaints from that brand that if you are over ~80 psi they will pop the fuse in your car, rather than the one in the compressor (which can take a pretty hefty amperage.)

Cheaper still, something like what I was using before I bought my volt would be a small hand held affair This isnt the exact model I had but its similar, and a comparable price. This is going to be slow to inflate your tire, but the benefit is it takes up virtually no space at all.

This is actually the sort of thing I would recommend. Its medium sized, reasonably powerful but not a monster, and it has a built in flashlight (which is SO helpful.)

A decent compressor can be got from walmart for $20, but if you want to spend more there are a ton of good options of all shapes and sizes and at any price point you can imagine.

Last but not least, if you dont get the GM one, you should include a can of fix-a-flat in any car, whether you have a spare or not.

PS a good alternative to the GM one might be the fix-a-flat brand compressor which also has a canister, and is a good price.

Definitely depends on a number of things, the biggest ones being the capabilities of your vehicle and the types of roads you expect to be traveling on.

AWD and 4WD are not invincible. Good traction tires (they do NOT need to be studded, studless snow tires are actually generally better than studded tires in most conditions) should be your first investment, because they make it markedly less likely that you'll need to be recovered in the first place.

Assuming you are just driving around on mostly paved roads or well-kept Forest Service roads, I'd be prepared with jumper cables, a spare tire with jack/tire iron/wheel chock (and some blocks of wood to shim in case you need extra height on your jack), tow straps, a come-along, possibly chains, a snow shovel (and snow gloves) and possibly traction mats of some sort (like these). Know where your tow points are on your vehicle, because if you get stuck and can't dig yourself out or use traction mats or your come-along to get yourself out, you will need someone to pull you out. If you have a vehicle where you can store gas externally (roof basket, pickup bed, etc) consider getting a 5-gal jerry can for spare fuel. Otherwise, I strongly advise never venturing into the backcountry without at least half a tank.

If you get deeper into wanting to overland/offroad, you'd want to look at improving your ground clearance and investing in a good winch. Ground clearance will definitely help with not getting stuck in the first place, and a winch will greatly improve your ability to self-recover. However, being new to this, I'd strongly encourage you to do this in a group with at least one other vehicle.

I could write a novel on what sort of survival gear to have with you. But figure at a bare minimum you'd want:

• Blankets/sleeping bags
  
  
• At least a gallon of water per person, augment with a water filter
  
  
• Spare food/snacks
  
  
• Firestarting equipment
  
  
• Layered cold and wet weather gear
  
  
• First aid/medical gear matched to your level of training
  
  
• A good, bright headlamp or flashlight like those from reputable brands like Nitecore, Fenix, FourSevens, OLight, Black Diamond, Petzl, etc along with spare batteries
  
  
• Hand saw and potentially an axe for clearing brush that might fall across a road and block your travel
  
  
• If there are multiple vehicles in your group, consider adding a cheap CB radio to each vehicle or handheld UHF radios like cheap Baofengs or something
  
  
• A PLB (personal locator beacon for life-threatening emergencies) or other satellite communicator (DeLorme InReach being the best, also the SPOT line of products). A true PLB like those from ACR are about $250 on Amazon and are only to be used in situations of grave danger, whereas a two-way communicator like the InReach can be useful if you get stuck somewhere without cell coverage and need recovery/support but you aren't actively dying.
  
  

For that range on a stock vehicle, there's a few things I would recommend:

1. Rear Motor Mount. Not exciting, but it's 100% recommended eventually and will make the car feel better (less wheel hop, no problems down the line with a blown mount). Does require some tools to install (jack, stands, sockets) but is very straightforward. Popular options from Whoosh, Cobb, lots of companies. $90 - $150 or so depending.
   
   
2. Pierce Front Chassis Brace. Great product, will make the car feel more together and reduce wheel hop under hard acceleration. They come in a 2pt, 4pt, and full 6 point versions. I personally have the 2, it's great, but I want to upgrade to a 6 at some point. Also a 2 point version from Whoosh that is cheaper and virtually identical. Requires same tools as the RMM. $100 - $300 depending on type and company.
   
   
3. Hi Flow Air Filter. Simple, cheap, and most people end up getting them anyway. Plug and play, just need a screwdriver. $30 - $70 depending.
   
   
4. Gorilla Lug Nuts. Sounds weird, but stock FiST lugs are atrocious and will fail eventually... save him the headache and get him some newer, better ones. Ones like THIS work great and are cheap. Need a lugwrench and a preferably a tall cliff to chuck the old ones off. $30 - $60 depending.
   
   There's plenty more you could go with, but it's hard to know how far he's planning to take the car.

OK dont worry you guys. I've got this. First things first, you're going to need to open up a credit card with a high limit. $30k should do to start.

• Rubber Floor Mats. I got the Mopar ones. I might suggest Weathertech instead. If you have the unlimited, you can get mats for the back was well. I cannot find any mats for the back of my two door :(
  
• Have a dog? Plan on running with the roof off? Want to prevent them from falling out? Safari Straps have your back.
  
• Off Roading? I suggest some tire deflators to air down conveniently, and a portable air compressor to air back up.
  
• Grab Handles are great. Here's one example, but I recommend shopping around. Theres a lot of different styles, find what you like.
  
• Hi Lift Jack & Base. You'll quickly find off road that the stock jack will not get you out of a lot of situations. The base is helpful on soft surfaces (wet dirt, sand, etc).
  
• Change your own damn oil! It's easy. No jack required just shimmy under there. Make sure to get an oil catcher big enough for your motor. 6-8 QTS if I recall correctly.
  
• Buy a shovel. Invaluable off road
  
• Recovery Strap & learn how to use it properly.
  
• Mechanics Gloves. Again very helpful around the jeep.
  
  That should get you off to a good start. Eventually you might think about replacing the bumpers, adding a tire carrier, lifting the jeep, getting bigger wheels, adding a winch, adding a roof rack.

Ridgeline! Ignore any haters, I "overlanded" in my Honda Element and love the hell out of the Ridgeline. You'll get a lot of unnecessary hate in a Ridgeline, including from pavement princess Tacomas, Jeeps, etc. Remember, if you're having fun, that's all that counts. Plus, your ride is way more comfortable than theirs to daily drive.

I had General Grabber AT2s on my Element, they were awesome. I have BFG KO2s on my Tacoma now, they're just as awesome. Discount Tire runs good promos, I highly recommend waiting and going with them. Definitely don't go anywhere before tires though, you'll regret it.

If you can, fit 1" larger diameter tires and upgrade from there. I did a spacer lift on my Element and it was enough, just take it easy.

Above all else, don't get caught up in all the gear and hype, go out there with your standard camping gear and enjoy the journey. If it's for you and you like it, upgrade over time to better gear. I went on dozens of trips with my V-Strom or PCX, had a kid, then went on 4 trips with my Element. I had so much fun and sometimes miss that freedom, but it's hard now that kid #2 is here. I've since upgraded from the Element to a Tacoma and bought a ton of crap... But that crap is just that. I could fit everything I needed to "overland" in a backpack on my motorcycles, and that's all you really need.

Get out there, have fun, and let the gear and expenses come if you enjoy it. If you've got a hole burning in your wallet, based on your rig, I'd recommend some basic recovery gear. I have a set of these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AV2HONS/ and they'll get you out of most trouble without a winch. Start easy with forest service roads, and go up from there.

I have the Slime COMP06 Pro Power Heavy-Duty 12-Volt Tire Inflator. Super quiet and really fast. My dad has one that works, but literally takes 10+ minutes to get a tire from 15 to 35 PSI. This one is probably the same as the Vlair one you linked. Dimensionally and the bar is the same.

As far as reliability, these have very great reviews on Amazon. Mine came in a canvas-like sack with a bunch of connectors. Definitely doesn't feel like a throw-away piece of hardware. Though take this with a grain of salt because I've only used mine twice. But I do recommend this one.

Just make sure your lighter outlet has a 15 Amp fuse. If you keep blowing fuses, you might need to wire up directly to the battery.

That one looks okay. But if you really want the best quality for the price go with one of the inflators by jaco products. I personally use the SmartPro 2.0 but the SmartPro 1.0 is basically the same thing but runs only on DC power, rather than AC and DC power. I like these ones because they have the auto shut off feature and are super accurate.

Also because it comes from a great company, Jaco is well known for their tire pressure gauges.

There are people saying they can use this to reprogram the tpms on the WRX.

https://www.amazon.com/ATEQ-QuickSet-TPMS-Reset-Tool/dp/B008SCWXN4

As for tires. It kind of depends on what you want. I have read reviews where people felt dedicated winters like Blizzak provided too much grip. That they wanted to be able to slide the car a bit more. Well that is personal preference. I know in my A4 many years ago I really liked my Pilot Sport A/S. I think that was the tire. They did really well year round so I would run them. I went from that to a Jetta TDI and with fwd I used a set of Michelin X Ice and they were pretty good. Night and day different than any all season I had on the car. I am also debating on what to do with my WRX this winter.

Edit: some more info on the Area

http://www.ateqtpm.com/quickset/

https://www.amazon.com/Escaper-Traction-Off-Road-Extraction-20333/dp/B00AV2HONS

MAXSA Escaper Buddies are great, I cannot praise them enough. I’ve used them for two seasons now and they’re still good as new. The key is to be very careful not to spin your tires on them. If you spin tires then you melt the plastic and the little nubs flatten. You want to position them where your tires won’t spin at all. Plus if your tires are spinning, you need to adjust anyways because it means you still don’t have enough traction for forward motion.

These have saved me out of quite a few precarious situations. They have held up very well and just on my last trip we jacked up a YJ and used two of these board stacked on top of each other as a platform in the snow to jack from. They held up great and no signs of cracking or breaking!

Well, not all air pumps provide that free service. And every air pump around me costs more than 50 cents.

It's funny that I see this post today, because just this morning I woke up to a flat tire on my truck sitting in my driveway. Completely flat. An air pump at a gas station that's far away and costs money was simply not an option for me. But since I had this in my truck, I was able to pump up my tire - for free - and make it to work on time.

I've had an air compressor in my truck for around six months now, and it's been a great investment. It's paid for itself more than once.

TL;DR - Don't knock buying an air compressor. It's a good purchase. If you think it's a waste, just don't fucking buy one.

They look even better in person! I got a set of black McGard spline drive lugs along with wheel locks. Debated a while on Gorillas and Mutekis, but durability wise, McGard seemed to hold up better compared to the other brands.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006HOVNE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Should probably mention that I only researched brands with locking lug nuts, just to help me sleep better at night.

Yea, I use it all the time for lots of things besides the occasional cleaning of my desktops and laptops. Such as maintaining the air in my tires, cleaning the garage, cleaning the inside of my car, and dusting yourself off after doing the yard etc. You might look into just getting an electric air pump if you don't much need for a compressor other than cleaning electronics.

• edit - oh I thought you said would you recommend. I dunno what air compressor would work best for you. The one I'm using is pretty old. I usually just go on sites like amazon and google shop and read reviews when I want to buy something decent.
  
  This: http://www.amazon.com/Viair-00073-Heavy-Portable-Compressor/dp/B0012WHBSO/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1345955120&sr=8-6&keywords=air+compressor has decent reviews
  
  as well as this: http://www.amazon.com/Senco-PC1010-1-Horsepower-1-Gallon-Compressor/dp/B0000AQK78/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1345955120&sr=8-12&keywords=air+compressor
  
  not sure what exactly will work for you.

OK, should these things happen again, here are some things you should keep in the trunk.

A tire inflator that plugs into your cigarette lighter. It won't help much with larger leaks, but for smaller ones it'll let you reinflate the tire long enough to get to an auto shop.

If you want to plug a leak, you'll need a tire repair kit. This isn't as simple to use as the inflator (you'd want to practice or at least see it done first), but it's not rocket science either. A word of caution though: the needles used in those kits have been known to break, so don't do what that guy did at 2:48 where he was lucky not to give himself a vasectomy.

If the nail or whatever is still in the tire, then you'll need something like vice grips to pull it out. If it's not in the tire, then you'll need the inflator to push air in and some (preferably soapy) water to see pour on the tire and see bubbles where the air is coming out.

And since this kit is $6 and has plugs to fix four flats and a shop will charge you $5 to fix one, it doesn't take that long to start saving a few bucks.

A set of jumper cables. Honestly, I don't know why dealerships don't put this in every car that drives off the lot. Here's how to use them correctly. With these, you won't need to call AAA for (most) dead batteries, just find some kind soul willing to let you jump off of their car. For jumper cables there's a few things you want to look for:

• Made of 100% copper. Cheaper ones are made of aluminum or aluminum with a copper shell. Those don't work as well, and they break easier.
  
• Longer is better. After all, they're no good if they won't reach!

> as a vacuum. I have a 7+ year old vacuum that sounds like a jet taking flight, seriously wont let you hear

It is pretty loud, but it is totally worth it. I purchased mine 2 years ago for around 35 bucks. It is incredibly well made with very thick steel. probably the best purchased I've made after this portable tire inflator

The mini digital inflators work well but make sure you get a good one like this. If you are going the air compressor route, I suggest using all 1/4" NPT equipment (fittings/couplers) to connect to a good tire inflator gauge. I suggest using industrial type D fitting, which comes included in the FlowPro kit. That way, you just need to make sure you have the matching coupler.

If you're not looking to run tools and stuff like that, you can get one much cheaper, but the best value seems to be around $50. This is the one I have in my car, though I have a full-size one for nail guns, etc., as well.

The TPMS sensor is built into the valve stem inside the wheel. They're pretty inexpensive but replacing one requires dismounting the tire from the wheel. So if you need to have it replaced, the labor is equivalent to remounting a tire. Not something you can do yourself without a tire mounting machine. The system may just need to be relearned, which is something they can do in the parking lot in just a few minutes. You can do it yourself if you want, you just need a TPMS relearn tool, which is also pretty inexpensive.

TPMS CHEVROLET CRUZE RELEARN

1. Set the parking brake.
   
2. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN with the engine off.
   
3. Use the MENU button to select the Vehicle Information menu in the Driver Information Center (DIC).
   
4. Use the thumbwheel to scroll to the Tire Pressure Menu item screen.
   
5. Press the SET/CLR button to begin the sensor matching process. A message requesting
   acceptance of the process should display.
   
6. Press the SET/CLR button again to confirm the selection. The horn sounds twice to signal
   the receiver is in relearn mode and the TIRE LEARNING ACTIVE message displays on the
   DIC screen.
   
7. Start with the driver side front tire.
   
8. Place the relearn tool against the tire sidewall, near the valve stem. Then press the button
   to activate the TPMS sensor. A horn chirp confirms that the sensor identification code has
   been matched to this tire and wheel position.
   
9. Proceed to the passenger side front tire, and repeat the procedure in Step 8.
   
10. Proceed to the passenger side rear tire, and repeat the procedure in Step 8.
    
11. Proceed to the driver side rear tire, and repeat the procedure in Step 8. The horn sounds
    two times to indicate the sensor identification code has been matched to the driver side rear
    tire, and the TPMS sensor matching process is no longer active. The TIRE LEARNING
    ACTIVE message on the DIC display screen goes off.
    
12. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
    
13. Set all four tires to the recommended air pressure level as indicated on the Tire and
    Loading Information label.
    
    ​

Thanks for the recommendation. As I was looking, I noticed this one www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000L9AD2U/ref=psdcmw_155346011_t2_B000BM8RT8 looks basically identical. Turns out it is. Take a look at the questions and answers area for a full explanation. It's about $25 cheaper, and apparently the one that is being retired can still be found for cheaper still (although I have a feeling that's a very ymmv type of deal.)

One other question: I'd begun thinking about getting a product that has both AC and DC power plugs, but all of those use the lighter plug. As I'm not an off-roader or someone who drives on long road trips frequently, I'm wondering if I need something like this or would just be better served by the aforementioned unit that can take AC power.

EDIT: you know, now that I'm thinking about it, I am definitely thinking of scenarios where I would need to have a compressor that didn't have to be used right next to my vehicle.

(OP's post is going to get removed whenever one of the mods shows up, since /r/CarTalk is not Car Talk, but just for specific repair questions. Before that happens, does anyone know of a subreddit with an attitude more in keeping with the Car Talk namesake?)

OP: Some folks have suggested tire inflating foam. I carry a plug kit and a cheap battery-driven compressor like this. You can find a cheaper alternative pretty easily online. Keeping the compressor around reminds me to top off my wheels regularly, whereas foam can only be used in emergencies.

I also keep a couple of water bottles, a sleeping bag, and a pair of those "hot hands" things in my trunk in case of getting stranded, although that's probably not very necessary in your area.

Did your boyfriend post here a few days ago? If he didn't, then someone here came with exactly the same issue, in exactly the same state.

​

Multiple of us recommended just buying a tool to remove the wheel locks off. They're on Amazon, and if you're gentle about them you can return them and just say they didn't work. With prime you could've had them off by now, and your car fixed.

​

I get you, it's frustrating. But for the future, if your car has locking wheel nuts then make sure that they key is always returned back. I never leave a dealer without checking if I know the wheels have been off. I honestly don't see Kia paying for this, as it would be by word that the dealer lost your key. You are responsible after all.

​

This could've been solved, with a purchase on Amazon or another site in 2 days. Or you could've just found someone who works on wheels that was willing to come out and remove them. I'm sure even in remote upstate NY, you would've found someone.

​

Here's a few examples

​

https://www.amazon.com/Steelman-Pro-78537-16-Piece-Locking/dp/B00JF5F420?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_1

​

https://www.amazon.com/Shankly-Twist-Socket-Remover-Sockets/dp/B076WQMSVB?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_2

Make sure you bring something to re-inflate them too! Investing in a decent direct-to-battery pump is a great idea for this trip and anytime in the future. Those cigarette lighter pumps are really not designed to re-inflate multiple larger volume tires (these are great https://amzn.to/2ZMPuQD - used one for years to re-inflate after off-roading)... And a shovel too.

Deflating even stock 32" tires (in my Wrangler JKU, to around 20 PSI) significantly increased traction - I could go anywhere. When you air back up, the lack of traction is astounding. Just keep your speed down when you air down that low.

Glad you like yours! It's important to have a good inflator gauge because you can hook it up to a compressor with the proper fittings/couplers, or just use it as a standable pressure reader without compressor... I really like the digital type, IMO they are more accurate. The best one I have used to date is the FlowPro series by JACO products. This one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ETWXEWA

I guess they're actually $120 a pair, but free shipping with Prime. Maxsa is the brand. I've had mine for almost a year and have used them a few times with good results. Totally worth the $120.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AV2HONS?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s01

my friends have this guy and apparently it works well enough - https://www.amazon.com/NOCO-GB40-UltraSafe-Lithium-Starter/dp/B015TKUPIC/

I also have this one for tires and it works remarkably well for being so cheap - way easier to deal with than going to gas stations - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01L9WSTEG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have a small tote bag w/ a change of clothes + contact lenses and spare meds just in case as well, my lexus came w/ a first aid kid so im trusting that'd cover anything else

Awesome idea! If you love that person that much more, just had to share a step up from this product without having to know tire pressure: http://www.amazon.com/FOBO-Bluetooth-Compatible-Monitoring-Motorcycles/dp/B00WBD00FO

Added this to my wheels and having pressure and a quick temperature readout in the morning before leaving my kitchen is pretty insanely nifty.



Other ideas for OP:

Freezeout Balaclava: http://www.amazon.com/FREEZE-OUT-Balaclava-Black/dp/B0096R08W8/

Microfiber Cloths (great for visor wipes, general cleaning, and wiping condensation off the bike in the morning): http://www.amazon.com/Zwipes-Microfiber-Cleaning-36-Pack-Assorted/dp/B000XECJES

Cat Crap (visor antifogger): http://www.amazon.com/EK-Ekcessories-10003P-AM-Anti-Fog-Cleaner/dp/B002BHWZFI/

Lock Laces: http://www.amazon.com/LOCK-LACES-Elastic-Tie-Shoelaces/dp/B00975EAJ6

Motorcycle Tire Inflator (fits under my seat easily): http://www.amazon.com/Slime-40001-Motorcycle-Tire-Inflator/dp/B000ET9SB4/

Definitely get one. I think mine was like $60 on Amazon and it works great. My dad uses his more than I do, paid less for it, and it seems to be faster than mine. Link below is what he has. Don't be fooled by the duty cycle, I've seen him inflate all 4 of his 33" tires from 12 to 30 psi without stopping, then pass his compressor to someone else to do the same. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005ASY23I/

Check to make sure you have the spare tire, and that it's inflated properly, there should be a jack and a tire iron(wrench?) as well.

I also suggest the following:

If you have a smartphone: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004B7YXOM/ (Lets you read codes off any OBDII car. Fun for friends and family too.) Keep in glovebox.

A cigarette outlet powered tire inflator: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000ENQRD2/ or http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002ZBWKAU/ (I have the first one and it works as advertised). Keep in trunk.

Also I don't know how the 2012 system works for music and navigation, but integration with your smartphone is very nice for music and nav.

(purely cosmetic and expensive.) Also look up vinyl wrapping if you're bored. Protects your paint job while you're at it :P

For anyone who doesn't have a full sized air compressor at home, one of the 12V air compressors sold at auto parts or hardware stores are cheap and good enough. I have one in each of my cars, and a cheapy to carry on the bike for trips. This Viair Model 73 is the best of my car-carried compressors, I also have some sub $20 ones like this. You can frequently find them as cheap as $10 on sale.

Add a Battery Tender harness to your bike's battery, and get a cigarette lighter adapter to plug into it, voila, you have 12V power for the compressor, a USB charger, etc.

You can also buy a portable jump starter with an air compressor included.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B005ASY23I/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

That's the best one overall if you check the specs out. I love my HPDE's so a pump is necessary, this thing pumps QUICK.

Get an oil extractor, way cleaner and easier. This one is nice and has caps so you can put it in your car when full without making a mess. The oil filter is on top too, so you don't have to worry about getting under the car and messing with that plug.

Intex Classic Downy Airbed Set with 2 Pillows and Double Quick Hand Pump, Queen

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HBIL9O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_cUX7CbGKGB85V

EPAuto 12V DC Portable Air Compressor Pump, Digital Tire Inflator

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01L9WSTEG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_hVX7CbG371WN6

The compressor will make inflation fast and easy. Also good to keep one in your car for flats.

You can do the swap without touching the TPMS but then you have to deal with the TPMS warning light (and the system not working).

I no longer have my 2016 WRX but IMO spending a few hundred to get rid of the warning light and have a functional TPMS system during the colder months was well worth it.

Here was my setup:

Stock tires with stock TPMS
New winter wheels with new set of TPMS

Tool to program the ECU with the winter/summer TPMS codes: https://www.amazon.com/ATEQ-QuickSet-TPMS-Reset-Tool/dp/B008SCWXN4

Tool to "wakeup" the sensors (they go to sleep after sometime being inactive): https://www.tirerack.com/tpms/detail.jsp?ID=169&cat=TPMS+Tool

TPMS sensors: Winter tire setup and TPMS bought form Tire Rack.

Steps:

1.) Use the first tool and its software to upload the winter TPMS codes (they were provided to me by tire rack at my request) and assign them to the winter button. Don't forget to "read" and store your summer sensors to the tool/software and summer button. If my memory serves me correctly, the tool pulls the TPMS codes currently in your car if you need to.
2.) Change your tires, plug in the tool to your obd-ii port and press the winter button
3) Use the trigger tool to wake up your winter tire sensors.

The process is just as easy for the winter to summer wheel changeout. Once the codes are in the tool it's just a matter of changing your tires and reprogramming the ECU.

I hope this helps!

1. Go someplace where it's not snowy.
   
2. Good insulation, ventilation, and a heater.
   
3. Sub-zero sleeping bag.
   
4. Make sure you check the area around your intake(s) and exhaust(s) for snow accumulation. Blockage is bad.
   
5. Have a good squeegee / ice scraper / snow brush. Ideally on a telescoping pole.
   
6. Have a good collapsible shovel, for (1) digging yourself out of the snow/mud, (2) clearing large swaths of snow from atop and near the vehicle. Be sure not to scratch the paint.
   
7. Have a set of what Bob calls Portable Tow Trucks for when you inevitably get stuck.
   
8. Stay with someone / get a hotel / etc.
   
9. Put some reflective tape on the rear of the vehicle, and possibly elsewhere, so you can be seen. Many of us have white vehicles, and those blend into the snow quite readily.
   
10. Camp somewhere that has cell reception so you can always call for help if you need to.

I'm a fan of these wine glasses (which come in red, white, and champagne!).

We also just got a set of rescue ramps (they might've been these), which we haven't tried out yet but are looking forward to!

Happy trails to you and your wife!

I went with these on recommendation from several people in this sub. They feel pretty high quality and look great with black wheels.

You don't even need jumper cables if you get yourself a quality mini jump starter like this one. These things are small but they jumpstart my diesel truck with ease. Portable tire inflators are also key. I like the JACO one.

Replacement sensors for GM aren’t that expensive. Amazon sells the ACDelco 13598771 GM Original Equipment Tire Pressure Sensor TPMS Set of Four (4) for under $60. The trick is getting them installed, which requires un-mounting the tires.

GM vehicles require a special “EL-50448” tool that costs ~$60 at the parts counter of a GM dealer, to re-learn the TPMS sensors. Again, Amazon comes to the rescue with a Chinese knock-off: VXDAS EL-50448 Auto Tire Pressure Monitor Sensor TPMS Relearn Reset Activation Tool OEC-T5 for GM Series Vehicle. There are a number of other knock-offs. This was just the first one that came up. They’re all <$20 on Amazon.

Hey OP. I just purchased this one and quite frankly it's fantastic. It's also pretty quiet compared to everything else that's out there.

Got it. And yep, you'll just need thinner/'tuner' lugs for the wheels.
Lots of people (including myself) run Gorilla Lugs and have had good experiences. Of course any lugs a shop provides should do just fine as well.

Gorilla Automotive 21133BC Small Diameter Acorn Black 5 Lug Kit (12mm x 1.50 Thread Size) - Pack of 20 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001O0AMZS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_7fajDbFTTNN40

Good looking wheels! The sand mats are from Amazon and help to completely block any view out the rear window so I have a rear view camera with wireless 7" display screen that is searching for a good mounting solution.

Weird. The shops near you must not work on GM products very often. GM vehicles, 2011 and newer, all require use of a relearn tool to program new sensors. Relearn tools compatible with the “official” GM unit (and indistinguishable from it, save branding) sell on eBay and Amazon for less than $15. I bought this one to reprogram my sensors after the dealer forgot to relearn after rotating the tires. It was quicker, more convenient, and cheaper (in terms of the value of my time) than going back and making them fix it.

The “official” tool is available from http://www.gmtoolsandequipment.com or call 1-800-GM TOOLS (1-800-468-6657). I’m sure the dealer parts counter could get it also.

I've owned and used this compressor over the past five years and it's been great. Viair 00088 88P Portable Air Compressor. It does connect directly to the battery but that prevents blowing fuses when trying to use the 12v outlet in most cars.

On battery jumpers I've tried a few but found the GOOLOO 800A Peak 18000mAh SuperSafe Car Jump Starter works very well. I've owned three of them. The first time I had to use it was after it had been sitting in my trunk for six months without a recharge and it worked like a champ. I gave that one to my brother in-law as it was his battery that was dead and we were parting ways after a road trip vacation. I bought a replacement and have used it probably a dozen times, often when I see someone with their hood up in a parking lot and offer them a jump start - works every time.

Supply and demand, business is business. Places charge what they feel they need to, in order to offer a service and make it profitable.

Air compressors require maintenance and keeping one available for customers is an expense. Keeping hoses and nozzles in good shape can be a challenge, too, with all the vandals and thieves we have here.

I bought a little air compressor via Amazon.com and keep it in my truck, under the back seat. Usually my tires stay okay from oil change & tire rotation to the next, but sometimes with cold weather onset, I need to top 'em off. I do it in my driveway with that pump. Pretty handy. This way I'm not forced to pay for air or stop in and wait at a Discount Tire.

Sure, I have this one. I like the fact that it's all metal because these things produce a lot of vacuum. You just take the dipstick out and feed the plastic tube down the dipstick tube. It goes all the way into the bottom of the oil pan/sump and gets pretty much every drop of oil out. Just a piece of advice - it goes a lot quicker when the oil is warm so it's less viscous. Also, if your dipstick tube is wide enough, you can use a larger diameter plastic tube to speed it up a lot more.

Yep, I was surprised too when I was researching this. Ended up getting this tire patch kit and inflator on Amazon. About $60 for the pair. Used it once to remove a nail and patch it up, worked great. I also used to rubber cement on the patch that I bought for $3 at Autozone, not sure if I really needed it but figured might as well add that too.

I see recommendations for Viair, but would be remiss if I don't throw this in the mix:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000L9AD2U/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I got one for my brother maybe 5+ years ago for when he went offroading and had to air down. He loved it because it was a relatively quick refill for his monstrous tires. He still carries it in his new truck with a plug kit. I recently bought one to carry in my trunk. People with RV's seem to rave about it in the comments.

Cant speak of a jump pack/inflator combo but I use this inflator regularly and it is awesome.

VIAIR 85P Portable Air Compressor https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0036E9VB6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_9dpBDbZZMZ6QR

These are on the expensive side but are great to carry for all terrains

Here

I spent a ton of time looking at different posts here when deciding on my wheel and tire setup, getting frustrated with pictures without details and second guessing if I had what needed. Just in case it helps someone like me in the future, here is a full linked list of everything I needed for the wheels:


>Black Rhino Boxers, 15x7, 5/100 bolt pattern
These are hard to link to a direct purchase, as stock always changes. I ended up buying them on eBay, as discount tire are dicks and wouldn't even sell me the wheels to take with me, as "there's no way that those will fit on your crosstrek". Wherever you find them, be careful as they come in a few different bolt patterns. You need 5x100.


> BFG ko2s 215/75r15.

>Hubcentric rings for the Black Rhino's through Subtle Solutions These are specifically for the boxers, you don't need them if you're getting the method mr502 which seem to be crazy popular here.


>Mcgard 12x1.25 tapered lugsThese will also work for the method mr502s if you're getting those.

That's it.


edit because I lied... I also got new tpms sensors, as I'm keeping my stock wheels to put winter tires on and don't want to have to go through resetting tpms sensors and having tires re-mounted every time.

> This set from tpms is clone-able and worked beautifully for me.

What were you waiting for, a tow truck or a miracle? Or was it one of those, give the car a few minutes and hopefully it'll come back to life?

I gave up on gas station air since some cost money, sometimes have a line and have a tendency to break down. Got myself one of these for $35 https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01L9WSTEG and an adapter https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MY55BT5 for another few bucks. Screw waiting in line for gas station air.

FWIW I have the knock off maxxtraxx and they never have failed me. Technically I've never used them for me but they worked perfectly for the people I helped recover, including a weekender RV out of a soft sand and gravel patch in the high desert.

This is a good start, but if you really want to bring the right tools to the job then I can only recommend this!

Gotcha. Well hope it gets revolved soon! Car looks great man.

https://www.amazon.com/EPAuto-Portable-Compressor-Digital-Inflator/dp/B01L9WSTEG

I bought one of these bad boys a few years back.. got me out a few jams like yours where I had a small leak causing a flat. Keep it in my car in my "emergency" kit!

Good time for you to buy some locking lug nuts to keep those nice new wheels safe, like these: http://www.amazon.com/Gorilla-Automotive-21133BC-Diameter-Thread/dp/B001O0AMZS/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1458856094&sr=1-1&keywords=gorilla+lug+nuts

While you probably can still remove them without the key, it won't be without some effort, and it's at least a bit more difficult to remove than the stock bolts.

They aren't anyway. Mechanics hate them. Have a portable air compressor (that has a cig lighter cable) and rubber plugs. It's cheap and much safer.

From Amazon: Plug Kit

From Amazon: Air Compressor

I bought this off Amazon when it was on sale a few years ago. The convenience of having it with me all the time and not having to worry about finding a gas station with an actual functioning air compressor was worth every penny.

I highly recommend getting one.

This compressor, sold under various names, was recommended by several hardcore boondockers when I was looking. I have used it 3x on commercial truck tires and it works great.

I have this one - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WOT3YM6/ - liked it enough that I got them for my wife and daughter also. Worth noting - when using this, you may need to reset the plug after each tire - I have to pull the 12v connection and replug it. I believe that these draw an amount of current that is right at the edge of what the electronic fuse for this circuit seems to think is ok.

In my research, the best inflators your can buy for the price are the JACO 12V SmartPro for $39 or the JACO AC/DC SmartPro 2.0 for $69 on Amazon.

You can easily bypass that with a breaker bar and a larger size socket than the locking lugnut. For the socket, you just have to find a size that makes an extremely snug fit when you hammer it on.

Also, I'm pretty sure thieves that are stealing entire sets of wheels from cars already bought quicker tools to bypass them, like master lug nut key sets that can be bought from your local auto store or Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/STEELMAN-78537-16-Piece-Locking-Master/dp/B00JF5F420) to remove them.

I just ignore the light in the winter, but the ATEQ QuickSet looks like the most economical solution. $150 at Amazon

Better LPT: Go to any auto parts store or big box store that sells them (or Amazon) and order a 12V air compressor. These cost about $15 and are powered by your car's cigarette lighter / 12V power outlet. You don't have to drive anywhere to fill up your tires, you don't have to put quarters in a machine, and they can be used to fill up other inflatables. Here is a good example

You can also buy a small air compressor that you can keep in your trunk on Amazon for like 30 bucks. Can really come in handy and you won't have to find a pump.

Something like this: EPAuto 12V DC Portable Air Compressor Pump, Digital Tire Inflator by 100 PSI https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01L9WSTEG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_ypwQBbW3W0KRV

In case anyone is looking for an air compressor now, I have this one and it works like a champ: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005ASY23I?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

This Viair compressor is the one I bought about five years ago. Very well built. It is on sale today on Amazon. I recommend it.

Car tire pumps are cheap enough that they probably don't care, probably because most people that buy them don't care enough to read the directions, typical tire pressures and sizes aren't that difficult to handle, and they'd just buy something else if it broke. Anyhow, here's the first cheapie I found on Amazon. It doesn't list a duty cycle, but the directions do say it can overheat and needs to cool down for 25 minutes if that happens. The specs and directions don't say what the maximum psi is, but a reviewer said it's 150 PSI. That pump would get so hot if it was working over 100 PSI.

To get a 100$ duty cycle at high pressure, you have to spend a lot of money on a compressor like this one.

An alternative at roughly the same price bracket is a liquid CO2 inflation system like this. Fwiw, this is the way I want to go. I may start putting together my system when I pick up a welder in about month, especially if I get a tig welder.

Great post. If I were you, I would add to the box a power inverter (like this one) and a 12v air compressor (like this one).

You could order one of these for less than $40. I've loved not having to worry about finding one at a gas station anymore.

I went with this one.
Some are plastic which is nice to be able to see as you fill. In the end I decided metal might be stronger and longer lasting.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001445IZ8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I lift from the jack points labeled in the service manual using a floor jack from Harbor Freight, and place them on jack stands for my safety and to protect the car. I also have a TPMS tool to reset the monitoring system.

Most 12v compressors are crap - they take forever and often overheat before they finish inflating your tires. As someone who's been driving on slightly corroded rims with a slow leak for years, I'd highly recommend getting one from Viair. I have the 70p, which is a little slower but can go up to 100psi for my bike tires. I got it for $45, but it's on sale now at Amazon for $30. The 85p is faster, but it only goes to 60psi, so it would be a better bet if you're only planning on using it on car tires.

This one is the best bang for your buck that I have seen. The price often gets down to around $50.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000L9AD2U?keywords=masterflow%2012v&qid=1452019093&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1

These are the best portable tire inflators:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07694R3ZV

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015VXWZ9O

This is what I use http://www.amazon.com/Slime-COMP06-Power-Heavy-Duty-Inflator/dp/B000M8R0QM/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1323909885&sr=1-1

Works great, has already made it past 2 years old and I use it all the time between my gf's car, my car, and random strangers. Only recommendation is don't use the cigarette lighter plug, directly connect it to your battery instead.

Yup. I got a 70P for my dad and it's been awesome. I wanted to go with a name brand over one of the litany of random Chinese compressors, and it's hardly any more expensive.

https://www.amazon.com/Viair-00073-Heavy-Portable-Compressor/dp/B0012WHBSO/

Topsider is made in USA I think. I have one, works great:

https://www.amazon.com/America-5060-Topsider-Multi-Purpose-Removing/dp/B001445IZ8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

Gorilla Automotive 21133BC Small Diameter Acorn Black 5 Lug Kit (12mm x 1.50 Thread Size) - Pack of 20

These are what I've got. Have been used on stock wheels and 3 other sets; been through 4 winters; seasonal tire changes; rotations every other oil change and they have held their finish great and have kept the wheels on the car.

If you need it for a car, I recommend you grab one of these and keep it in your trunk:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0036E9VB6/

It's pretty nice being able to just check and adjust pressure right where you parked. It also saved me a few times when I got a nail or screw in a tire that caused a slow leak - no need to put on the spare to drive it to get patched.

I'd suggest the Viair 88P. The first review gives a comparison of all the new Viair models. I use mine nearly every weekend in the summer to air up my F250's tires (315/70/17) from 12psi to 50psi when leaving the beach, and it can do all four in 15-20 minutes. Pretty good for a 12v inflator.

I had the Harbor Freight 150psi 12v inflator before that, which worked slowly...for about the first two trips. Took like 30 minutes to air up. Then it just lost pressure. Guessing that a seal blew out.

Used my maxsa to pull myself 60 yds out of rim deep mud. Awesome kit
MAXSA Escaper Buddy Traction Mat (Set of 2) for Off-Road Mud, Sand, & Snow Vehicle Extraction Orange 20333 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AV2HONS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_0OlTzbV0RKMNP

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B072BK693N/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I use this one. Works perfect.

I know it isn't a fix for you right now but I picked up a great air compressor for my car.

EPAuto 12V DC Portable Air Compressor Pump, Digital Tire Inflator https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01L9WSTEG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_5JV0Bb6VM2PD7


Thing has saved my ass half a dozen times already(I am hard on tires).

Look into something like this. Lots of different brands/types. So easy and no reason to crawl under the car since the oil filter is on top.

https://www.amazon.com/America-5060TS-Topsider-Multi-Purpose-Removing/dp/B001445IZ8

He's right. A battery clamp model is not significantly less convenient or much more expensive than a cigarette lighter compressor and it will fill your tire 3-5 times faster. That outlet is just limited on the amps it can pull.


I can go from 20 to 40 PSI in about 4 minutes per tire with mine. I run 45 highway but those extra 5lbs take too long and the compressor is burning hot by the time I finish the 4th tire. I've seen people put 5-10lbs in a tire with cigarette socket models (and have tried as such myself) and decided that was enough to get to the nearest gas station and finish the job.

Onboard air of course does not make sense for most people, but for regular offroaders it does. Especially if you have air locking differentials than need it anyway. Another popular option is actually using a CO2 tank. You get that filled up beforehand and it works very fast with no power required. They're usually good for 3-4 complete fill-ups.

Catback with diffuser - 450

Flossy knob - 120

Smoked side markers - 30 (Markers: 25+5 for amber bulbs)

Swede dash wrap - 70

--------------------------------------------

Total: $670

other junk:
$24 - mini repair kit and some metric wrench sockets.
$10 - digital tire gauge.
$30 - tire pump that runs on the cigarette lighter and fits under the mat with the spare tire.
$30 - a jug of Subie Super Coolant.
$17 - a phone mount (don't recommend it)

Stuff I dont care to price out:

• Extra phone cables
  
• Pack of microfiber towels.
  
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
  On the list to come:
  
  
• Smoked Valentis with red light bar
  
• Matching smoked Valenti 4th light
  
• Rays Gramlights 57Xtremes 17x9 in black
  
• 245/40/17 AS3 or similar tires for the new wheels
  
  
  

You can get a compressor for less than cost of one of those pumps. Bike pimps really aren't made for car tires. It's possible, but a compressor is way faster and easier.

Viair 00073 70P Heavy Duty Portable Compressor https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012WHBSO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_ylJcAbCE90XYG

I've used one to top off a tire that was low, but it does take a while. And that was with a 185/65r17.

I recently bought one of these and it's a lot better.

I recently was in the market for one of these as well to combat a slow leak. There are two types - ones that only hook up to the cigarette lighter socket in your car, or ones that run on both AC and DC power (home or car). I ended up going with this AC/DC Tire Inflator but they also have a less expensive DC only Tire Inflator as well. Highly recommended!

This is good advice. I'm re-thinking my spare strategy now to include a plug kit, which is only ~$6 and not that hard to use along with a 12VDC air pump (only 4lbs!).

This is an inexpensive one on amazon. Still good in a pinch.

The 150 is the better bet because it's clip on, instead of cigarette lighter. But if you're gonna pay retail prices, might as well just go this route https://www.amazon.com/Viair-00088-88P-Portable-Compressor/dp/B005ASY23I

I priced out a new set on TireRack with TPMS and it was about a grand. But then I have to deal with either purchasing a reset tool like this one:

http://www.amazon.com/ATEQ-QuickSet-TPMS-Reset-Tool/dp/B008SCWXN4

Or have the dealership do a TPMS reset. Pretty much a PITA for something as simple as swapping wheels. I probably would have pulled the trigger already if it wasn't for the TPMS hurdles.

Seriously. Purchase one of these and toss it securely somewhere in your car; never seek air again.

IMO, don't waste money on the rechargeable ones, but DO make sure your engine is running while using it.

Slime 40022 12-Volt Digital Tire Inflator

Thanks!

Amazon.com MV-50



Amazon.com MV-1050

Yes, there are plenty of posts on here about them. I preemptively bought these and they have been just fine: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B001O0AMZS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1&sa-no-redirect=1

Looks to me like something that could be patched or maybe even plugged.

Consider getting a portable air compressor. Worth its weight/space in gold.

I have a tiny little air compressor that just plugs into the cigarette lighter of any car, and while it's a bit noisy, it does a great job. I couldn't find the model I own, but this one would do the job just fine, and it's small enough to pack on road trips.

They should fit, but for that price you might as well get some 'aftermarket' ones.

These are the ones I use.

Can you link to this tool please? I am interested in getting it too!

Edit: will this one work? https://www.amazon.com/ATEQ-QuickSet-TPMS-Reset-Tool/dp/B008SCWXN4

Viair 88P! I have owned mine for a couple years now, very nice to carry under the rear seat! Everything included reaches from the battery post (passenger side) to the driver side rear tire(farthest stretch). No need to buy any other accessories!

https://www.amazon.com/Viair-00088-88P-Portable-Compressor/dp/B005ASY23I/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=viar+88p&qid=1570188974&sr=8-3

Gotcha. I'll spend the 1-2 hours doing the research. The one you linked looks good for baseline, I saw on amazon this air compressor for $40 with good reviews that I am considering now that I saw what you linked. But the people who sell it don't suggest using a AC DC converter for wall plugs.

Then again I am also looking at this which has more power and can plug into a wall but it isn't for tires and stuff.

Subaru wanted to charge me about $65, so I said I would rather just deal with the light, because $65 now and $65 when I swap back to summer tires means $130 a year.

The manufacturers tool cost like $3000 or something ridiculous to do the TPMS reset. This $150 tool claims to work on Subaru models, and comments seem to confirm that. No personal experience with it though, but it looks good.

http://www.amazon.com/ATEQ-QuickSet-TPMS-Reset-Tool/dp/B008SCWXN4/

The one I have doesn't seem to be available anymore but something like this should work:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01L9WSTEG

There are a bunch of different no-name brands selling the same thing with minor differences. I would consider them to be equivalent.

Rule of thumb in Tempe, if its not bolted down, its ripe for the picking.

Get a tire pump for your trunk, they are pretty cheap.

https://www.amazon.com/Lifeline-AAA-300-Volt-Compressor/dp/B000SL4AA2/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1549423150&sr=8-15&keywords=tire+pump

They sell them at marine supply stores. Or hand pumped ones.

http://www.amazon.com/America-5060-Topsider-Multi-Purpose-Removing/dp/B001445IZ8/ref=pd_sim_263_4?ie=UTF8&dpID=41v-eR72mKL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR128%2C160_&refRID=1H3FNK6WKY9HV1FF6S9W

I think I would care more if I didn't have one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001445IZ8?keywords=oil%20extractor&qid=1449091557&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1

makes changing any fluid painless...

I would. When I need to air up the tires, I set the PSI and leave it to do its thing. The only thing is that it don't come with a battery, so unless you have other 18v Ryobi tools with the same battery then it doesn't make sense to buy one. Also probably not a good one for a car trunk.

This one is in my wife's trunk and it works just as well. Also highly recommend.

Gorilla Automotive 21133BC Small Diameter Acorn Black 5 Lug Kit (12mm x 1.50 Thread Size) - Pack of 20 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001O0AMZS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_1GMQDbJW3H393

fiesta lugnuts size : 12x1.5

It can read the sensor IDs from the summer set, then input the IDs from the winter set (assuming you know them). I got my IDs from tire rack when I got a new set. There is also a tool available on amazon that can read TPMS IDs, more expensive.
It plugs into the car's OBD port to get the info and reset the IDs, and you need a windows PC/laptop to run the software. It was a little bit of a pain to get right the first time but I have it figured out now. Also, a laptop is nice so I don't have to run back and forth to the PC while trying to get these things working.

My local garage quoted me $100 to swap winter/summer and reset TPMS for one car. We have two cars, so that would be $400/year. My floor jack and TPMS sensor paid for themselves in one year.


ATEQ reset tool: https://www.amazon.com/ATEQ-QuickSet-TPMS-Reset-Tool/dp/B008SCWXN4

If you don't know your sensor IDs you can use this to read them, but it's another expense. You could also go to a tire place.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AERMVYC/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

/u/keylime503 is spot on. Even if it is the law. Even if it is your right, why waste your time and potentially hurt your car just cause that's how its supposed to work.

Pickup an inexpensive gauge like this one
http://smile.amazon.com/Accutire-MS-4021B-Digital-Pressure-Gauge/dp/B00080QHMM
(or this one if you're old-school like me http://smile.amazon.com/TireTek-Flexi-Pro-Pressure-Gauge-Motorcycle/dp/B00XPL88NC/)

and you're good to go. Keep it in your trunk or glovebox.

for the completely gas station free experience, pickup your own compressor.
$20 http://smile.amazon.com/LifeLine-AAA-300-Volt-Compressor/dp/B000SL4AA2/

$45 if you're into overkill like me http://smile.amazon.com/Viair-00073-Heavy-Portable-Compressor/dp/B0012WHBSO

And you're done.

I've got a $10 compressor in the trunk of my wife's car just so I never have to worry about it when we take hers on road trips... but I wouldn't recommend something this cheap for most of you (for me its 3rd behind a 5gallon craftsman shop compressor and one of the $50 ones above)

http://smile.amazon.com/ABLEGRID®-Portable-Compressor-Inflator-Adaptors/dp/B015YZJ7KY/

I have this battery which is awesome but discontinued.

I also have this air pump.

I got this air compressor from amazon, it can be powered from your cigarette lighter and is light and fast. Much better than the Tesla air compressor and just as portable.

I'd still recommend one.

https://www.amazon.com/EPAuto-Portable-Compressor-Digital-Inflator/dp/B07176WJFB/ref=sr_1_49_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1539052632&sr=8-49-spons&keywords=portable+air+compressor&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/VIAIR-85P-Portable-Air-Compressor/dp/B0036E9VB6/ref=sr_1_42?ie=UTF8&qid=1539052620&sr=8-42&keywords=portable+air+compressor

Some of the plastic models are thin enough they can sit on/near your spare tire. Still handy to have in your car for emergencies.

I ended up buying a JACO compressor that can connect to AC power since the fuse (DC) died in my car. It's the best compressor I've ever used, worth the money.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07694R3ZV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I now have 3 total compressors. Only the JACO connects to AC power and I keep it at home, the other 2 are Slime brands which haven't let me down yet.

Well it's not that bad. If you GM is the kind that requires the 'activation tool' this is the tool that will activate the sensors once you have the vehicle in 'learn mode' (see your owners manual, you might be able to get to this mode yourself)

https://www.amazon.com/VXDAS-EL-50448-Pressure-Monitor-Activation/dp/B072BK693N/

and if you get into it hardcore, one of these will do most of what any tire shop needs to do:

https://www.amazon.com/Autel-TS501-Activation-Diagnostic-Professional/dp/B01LRJ7UD2/

I just did a bit of research on this yesterday, since I plan on getting new wheels/tires with a full-sized spare to rotate in. It seems you'll have to go to a tire installer to have the new set programmed in every season, or use a TPMS tool to do it yourself.

There are plenty of threads on the Forester forum, here's a helpful one:

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f72/2014-2-sets-tpms-possible-709114/

The ATEQ Quickset TPMS Reset Tool:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008SCWXN4/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhW1GXjPEBI

Nice pic. Traction boards and a shovel next time.

The key to deep sand is tire pressure, 18-20 psi for the road turns into a nightmare in the sand. I ride sandy washes in Arizona all the time and I always take the time to air down before I go in them because the difference is really night and day. Typically I go for 10-12 psi.

When I hit the slab again I stop and use this pump to air up, it has been a massive time saver.

Also, this video helped me with the sand, good luck!

Got two of these from Pep Boys for my truck. There's a few mods you can do to them you can find with a quick Google Search to help them out a bit. But for the price you can't beat it compared to a similar performance couple hundred dollar ones. I've had one last me about 6 years and my newer two have been with me about 2 years now.

MasterFlow MF-1050 Air Compressor https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000L9AD2U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_JXELybECMQSYK

Big brother (never used by me yet)
SuperFlow MV-90 Air Compressor https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001RCTV46/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_G2ELybJSXB5EY

This looks promising. It claims to inflate standard sized tires in under 3 minutes.

Slime COMP06 Pro Power Heavy-Duty 12-Volt Tire Inflator | $50.27 Prime | 4.0 Stars | Amazon


Edit: Heavy duty version too

Slime 40026 2X Heavy Duty Direct Drive Tire Inflator | $72.35 Prime | 4.2 Stars | Amazon

They might work, it depends on the wheels you got. When I got new wheels for my car, the stock lug nuts were too wide.
So i got these instead, and they look really good.

https://www.amazon.com/McGard-65554BK-Chrome-SplineDrive-Installation/dp/B0006HOVNE/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1473989617&sr=1-1&keywords=McGard+65554BK+Chrome%2FBlack+SplineDrive+Wheel+Installation+Kit+%28M12+x+1.25+Thread+Size%29+-+For+5+Lug+Wheels

Valve stem should work just fine.

Ideally, you should own a portable tire inflator. They're inexpensive, and you can keep them in your trunk in case of emergencies. Something like this would work great. You just plug it into your cigarette lighter, connect it to the air valve on your tire, tell it what pressure to inflate to (as listed on a sticker inside your driver's side front door), and it will do the rest. Technically, you should check your tire pressure every time you fill up with gas, but I tend to only check every couple of months.

If you have a leak, you can take your car to a local tire shop (Wal-Mart and Costco do this too), and they should be able to patch it for you fairly quickly (depending on how busy they are) and inexpensively (usually no more than $25). Some places even do it for free.

If that's excessive I'd hate to see what you describe mine as...

I have those same Jumper cables, they are really nice!

Do you know how large that Swiss army knife is in person? for a car I would get something like a Leatherman Wave or Leatherman Surge. Or at least a bigger swiss army knife (Although the small tweezers on those are useful)

What about a portable compressor? I have used mine more than ANYTHING else

This is the go-to suggestion: https://www.amazon.com/Viair-00073-Heavy-Portable-Compressor/dp/B0012WHBSO

^ this, I always put a little inflator in my back-pack like this one by Slime

Buy a small air compressor like this one

Here are the ones I bought and they fit:
Amazon Link

I think I just looked up the size of the stock ones and found some with matching thread dimensions.

If you're got an air compressor, I like this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ETWXEWA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have the 77p and I like it.

Viair (00077) 77P Portable Compressor Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CDW2MCM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_42XmDb6GT0F2A

Also check out the EPAuto 12V DC Portable Air Compressor Pump, Digital Tire Inflator https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01L9WSTEG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_o4XmDbQ5Y9QC6

Though I think that the Viairs will probably be more durable.

Ok that makes more since. Rotating the same 4 sensors to another spot on the truck would not set off the light. But if you have a screen that shows tire pressure it won't be correct. But the truck will only register 4 sensors at one time. So swapping to summer/winter tires would need to be registered. Have you looked into something like this

This thing is badass.

this thing

Taking a guess your American based on your username so here is the American link:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00AV2HONS/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492108117&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=maxsa+escaper+buddy&dpPl=1&dpID=41r0N2OOheL&ref=plSrch

Available at walmart according to google as well!

> I tried your 2nd link, https://www.ebay.com/itm/163194228589, meh... not so impressed. The seller sent me a 2nd bottle after I showed him how dark it was compared to stock. The 2nd bottle was a bit better, but not by much.

Thanks! That's exactly the input I was looking for. The eBay seller actually also replied to me overnight with the following

>To be honest we are not too sure on the US Spec models.

I did do some research and found out that even though the US and Euro Rado Grays were supposed to be the same, they may have been slightly different since its allegedly a very hard color to mix. Also found the paint code for Rado Gray, but I can only find one reference to it anywhere on the web, and it happens to be Color N Drive (same kit as the Amazon link in my OP). I may actually give that one a try. Will report back if I decide to do it.

As for lug nuts, I am planning on ditching the OEM ones. Currently I'm using the set that came with my steelies from Tire Rack and just got this set of black Gorilla lug nuts for when I go back to summers.

I bought this pump: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036E9VB6/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

​

Combined with this plug kit: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ET525K/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

​

I don't think the Tesla kit is worth it and I've heard the compound it sprays into the tire is ironically ineffective since Tesla tires have acoustic foam in them.

I keep one of the mine slime compressor too. I should probably check and make sure it still works.

Another option that I used to do is to use a topsider. Then you don't need to get under the car and deal with the drain plug. This was the solution for me as I didn't have a way to lift my car.

Air Power America 5060TS Topsider Multi-Purpose Fluid Removing System https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001445IZ8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_9dNwCbH59VMW3

These are in a crate in the trunk:

• Collapsible shovel
  
• Mylar blankets
  
• road flares
  
• flashlights
  
• ponchos
  
• fix-a-flat
  
• fire extinguisher
  
• jumper cables
  
• Warning Triangles
  
• Compressor
  
• Duct tape
  
• First aid kit
  
• Large warm blanket
  
• Bottled water
  
• Granola bars
  
• Cat liter
  
• Paper towels
  
  These are located in the passenger cabin:
  
• paper towels
  
• A flashlight
  
• Multi-Tool
  
• Auto escape tool
  
• Tire pressure gauge
  
• knit gloves
  
  During winter I'll put an ice scraper and de-icer in the car/trunk. There are kits you can buy and add items as you see fit. Take the time (unlike me with the shovel) to understand how to use each item properly in an emergency situation. Also don't wait until you need to change a flat to learn how.

Reposting what I said further down :)

• Lug nuts (Gorilla 12x1.5)
  
  
• Tires (Cooper Zeon RS3-A Radial Tire - 205/40R17 84Z XL - VERY STICKY TIRE FOR AN ALL-SEASON)
  
  
• Wheels (Rota Recce 17x8, 4x108, offset 40, hb 73)

I keep a snake plug kit under my seat along with a Slime 12v pump.

http://www.amazon.com/Slime-40001-Motorcycle-Tire-Inflator/dp/B000ET9SB4/

I never use the glue that comes with the snake plug kit either. A tip I picked up from an old rider is to use a lighter on the plug until the tar melts a bit before you cut it down, this has always given me the perfect seal. I just replaced my rear Anakee 3 that picked up a screw about 300miles into it's life, it had about 7000 miles on it.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01L9WSTEG/ref=psdc_155346011_t1_B0719925K5
Ok now I'm looking at this one. It has a digital read out I can set and is a lot cheaper. I'm gonna do some more research then make a post when I finally decide and test it out.

I'm in Chicago too. I use this cigarette lighter inflator. You set the desired psi digitally and it shuts of when it gets there. It is accurate and much quite than my last unit. I also have a digital gauge with bleed off that comes in handy.

The one I already have doesn't go with me because its much too large to fit in the bag. But you know, if I'm buying stuff to fill the bag I think i'll go with this. Back when I was doing air ride on vehicles viair was the way to go. Maybe I'll hard mount one of my old compressors if this doesn't work. I just always assumed a big ol 440 was too much for an atv charge system.

I bought the tool to initialize the tire sensors when I bought a set of snow tires and rims the first winter I owned my 2017 Bolt EV. It's a very simple process and the tool itself was cheap through Amazon. Less than $10 US. I go through this twice a year when swapping tires and rims.

​

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072BK693N/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I bought the JACO one, which seems to be using a generic design from others but they all have good reviews (A on fakespot), digital, and auto stop:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015VXWZ9O/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

watched someone use the CO2 cartridges. He used 6 of them, to get a minimal amount of pressure from flat, maybe 12 psi. Enough to sketchily get somewhere with a real compressor.

I would recommend something like this:https://www.amazon.com/Slime-40001-Motorcycle-Tire-Inflator/dp/B000ET9SB4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1526938310&sr=8-1&keywords=slime+mini+compressor

It will fill the tire up to spec, but it will take a while.

No explanation necessary, I totally get it! When I first started driving on the beach, as a teenager, getting stuck was the biggest fear one could have. And we always dabbled with getting stuck, because no one ever told us to air down your tires or any other little tidbits required for driving on sand. Obviously being in 4x4 HI will always make for an easier drive. However, 4x4 LOW could really start digging unnecessarily with all that torque. All those great features us Jeep owners love are for off-road trails, most of them will not be required for driving on sand.

All that being said, the absolute key for driving on sand is low tire pressure, allowing you to "float" on the sand. If your local outer beaches don't have air stations, you'll have to invest in a air pump or drive with the hazards to the closest gas station. I use a Viair 00088 88P Portable Air Compressor and love it - takes about 2 minutes a tire on my stock KL Trailhawk Destination A/Ts.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005ASY23I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_UjmMxbM96HK7H



TLDR: Air down to 15psi for beach driving.

I have one of these, works fine. I use it to air up tires all the time. I have been considering an up grade to a Mf-1050. With coupons when on sale I can get it for about $40 locally, Just need to wait for the sale.
https://www.amazon.com/Master-Flow-MF-1050-MasterFlow-Compressor/dp/B000L9AD2U

If space and money are no object: http://www.amazon.com/VIAIR-85P-Portable-Air-Compressor/dp/B0036E9VB6

No affiliation, just love my air compressor.

I use an air compressor I keep in my car like this one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0036E9VB6

It's pricey, but it's very handy and it takes just a second or two to fill my m365 tires to 60psi (which drops to 50 from unscrewing it).

Amazon ~$17 AAA Lifeline 300 PSI 12 Volt DC Air Compressor https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000SL4AA2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_wBWKBbTMJ2164

Or you can order a master key set from Amazon and say F U to anybody who has one.

https://www.amazon.com/STEELMAN-78537-16-Piece-Locking-Master/dp/B00JF5F420/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1523395745&sr=8-1&keywords=locking+lugnut+master+key+set

Viair 00088 88P Portable Air Compressor https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005ASY23I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_1jUCCbZZ8HCA5

This is the one that I have. Works on tires up to 33". Requires you to connnect to the battery terminals while the car is running. It works really well and have used it 10-15 times on my own and other peoples cars without issue. It has a built in psi meter but you have yo switch the unit off to get an accurate reading. Also very quiet compared to pancake style compressors.

These are what I have on my car.


Gorilla Automotive 21133BC Small Diameter Acorn Black 5 Lug Kit (12mm x 1.50 Thread Size) - Pack of 20 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001O0AMZS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_O.NQDbX1GHN1V

I’ve had them since January 2018 (According to my amazon page)

I don’t know if it’s a solid piece or a cap, but the way it’s splined, you don’t get the sheering of the bolt that the OEM ones do.

I haven’t had any issues or warping with mine either, and I take my wheels off often enough rotating them and such.

10,000lb recovery strap w/ tow hooks and hardware along with these:

www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00AV2HONS/ref=pd_aw_sbs_1?pi=SS115&simLd=1&dpPl=1&dpID=41r0N2OOheL
Edit: you may want a higher rating than 10,000 depending on your use!

Most Subarus so not auto learn, my '11 STi does not. I'm actually ok with that, as some of the examples of taking control of ECUs have been done through auto learning TPMS since it's basically Bluetooth... Call me paranoid, haha. You can get a summer/winter tool that you just program the code for each set into via a PC and USB cable, plug into the OBDII port and press the season button to push the sensor codes. Tire places can give you the codes on the first read; they may be required to if you ask, I can't remember for sure.

Tool Here

I picked up something like this and carry it with me everywhere. I've only used it for myself once after running over a box of screws in the middle of nowhere, but I've helped out quite a few people with it.

This is what you are looking for

https://www.amazon.com/Viair-00073-Heavy-Portable-Compressor/dp/B0012WHBSO/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1492394608&sr=8-8&keywords=viair+compressor

Its FANTASTIC. Its very quite, super quick but does require 20A on the 12V outlet, my Escape can do it no problem so I assume your F150 can

Need some black mcgard spline lug nuts...

https://www.amazon.com/McGard-65554BK-Chrome-SplineDrive-Installation/dp/B0006HOVNE/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1525024775&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=mcgard+nuts+subaru&dpPl=1&dpID=31GHvt29zOL&ref=plSrch

Mcgards, I've used them on all my cars spline + lock.

http://www.amazon.com/McGard-65554BK-Chrome-SplineDrive-Installation/dp/B0006HOVNE/ref=sr_1_12?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1346171093&sr=1-12&keywords=mcgard