A SLO Day Out - Exploring High Mountain Road in the Hills of San Luis Obispo - and Auto - Deflator discussion (5 Viewers)

Emergencymed · 2026-07-05T08:43:18-0500

Got out yesterday afternoon to “pound sand” as I jested with SROak. I sometimes forget that nature at its most pristine is just outside our doorstep.

Saw a mountain lion cub running along the trail.. Very cool to see this elusive creature… but I couldn’t help but to think a protective mama was close by, while I nervously aired down to 20 PSI.

Which reminds me - I think it would be a cheap and easy addition for Lexus to add a set of four “Lexus” branded adjustable “Auto-stop” deflators to their “accessory bundle.”..

If anyone is using their GX as it was created a set of these from Amazon is an absolute MUST… a decent set will run between $25 - $40.

S SUBERI · 2026-07-05T10:30:38-0500

Looks like a nice drive. How did your deflators work. I have a set that I paid $80 but they are difficult and sometimes clumsy to set. What brand are the ones you used and how easy are they to set?

Emergencymed · 2026-07-05T10:51:27-0500

So years ago I bought the cheapest Amazon product - and they were a pain to set and I had to keep experimenting until I had the pressure that I wanted. Those found their way to the wastebin.

The set that I bought a couple years back are by AllTop - $40 and the numbers are readable.

If I were to do it again, I would recommend buying a set of 8 - perhaps setting one set of 4 to 20 psi for dirt and rocks and the second to 13-15 for soft sand. (Since we live close to the Pismo dunes) .. saves the time of having to reset them (which is more time consuming for men with big fingers. )

Being able to unscrew caps, pop on preset deflators, and not have to crouch down and deflate each tire individually is priceless.

Also makes a great holiday gift for 4WD newbies!

This is the set I have - I can’t say they are any better or different than others that are $15 less or $30 more - but these have worked great .. and consistently get me to 20-21 psi (within 1 psi of target) when deployed.

Also quick tip - for new users of this and other similar products - read the directions! (See attached) - if you (as i did the first time I used these) do the “I got this” approach of “I don’t need to read the directions” you will end up with pressures well below your intended number and burn time having to refill tires. See attached instructions - most are the same.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B5KVLK1D?tag=lexusgx-20

Emergencymed · 2026-07-05T11:04:50-0500

Also funny aside was after seeing the mountain lion cub - I became very aware of the vulnerability of one’s position crouched down next to a deflating tire..

Absolutely love the convenience of a built in inflator - mind has a tendency to power down after tire # 3 and I have to give it a break to restart - not sure if that’s due to an internal “heat / safety sensor”