Coyote Automatic Tire Deflators Review
Coyote Automatic Tire Deflators (CED4560) allow you to quickly air down your vehicle’s tires before going off-road without needing to monitor them regularly as they release air. The deflators have a built-in pressure-sensing mechanism that stops them from releasing more air once a certain tire pressure is reached.
Why I bought automatic tire deflators
For a long time, I used the tire deflator that came with the portable air compressor that I used to reinflate my tires after off-roading and overlanding trips. This was slow going, as I could only deflate one tire at a time and, because the unit didn’t have an automatic cut-off mechanism, I had to check the pressure regularly. This meant stopping the air release momentarily so the gauge could get an accurate reading.
Eventually, I purchased a second deflator, a device similar to that integrated into my air compressor, so that I could deflate two tires at once. This was faster, but still required paying close attention to the tires as the deflated and checking the pressure regularly.
There are a couple of downsides to this method of tire deflation. First, it’s a hassle and requires your attention. You’ve got to just keep going back and checking, which is a pain. You’ve got to keep bending over and doing it. You’ve got to focus on it. I’ve actually over-deflated my tires before because I got distracted doing something else and had to go back and reinflate them, which is a pain. Second, it’s slow. Because there are only two deflators, the rate of deflation is limited and you have to move the deflators to the remaining tires during the process.
I found that when I went out with friends to go off-roading or overlanding, they were using automatic deflators and airing down quickly. Then they’d be waiting on me to air down. Also, when I’m out with my family, everything that takes a little bit of extra time detracts from the experience of actually being out exploring the outdoors.
I decided to try out automatic tire deflators to speeds up the process of airing down so that we can get on the trail faster.
Coyote Automatic Tire Deflators vs. Staun Automatic Tire Deflators
After doing some research, I narrowed it down to two companies that make automatic tire deflators, Coyote and Staun.
Staun Tire Deflators, made in Australia (extra points if you spell “tyre” correctly) have long been the goto automatic tire deflators for hardcore off-roaders and overlanders. First produced in 1998, these lay claim to being the first such deflators available. They are a quality product and arguably the most common automatic deflators found in off-roading gear kits.
Coyote tire deflators are a newer entrant to the market that appear to offer a few advantages over the Stauns. For one, they cover a wider pressure range, allowing you to set the automatic cutoff pressure anywhere from 1 to 65 psi (the standard duty Stauns cover from 6 to 30 psi). They reliably hit the target pressure within 0.2 psi.
The Coyote deflators also feature a manual start ring that makes it easy to initiate deflation if the deflators don’t start by themselves (typically they do). Coyote claims that their deflators are 15 percent to 25 percent faster than the equivalent Staun deflators.
Also, they are an American company that offers a lifetime warranty, which gives me peace of mind that I’ll be able to replace them if they break. Stuans are a great product, but in the end, the distinct features of the Coyotes mentioned above won me over.
When you first get them, they come with the auto shut-off pressure set at factory settings. After using them at that setting, they seemed to be set at around 14 or 15 PSI. To set them to a different pressure, you need to adjust them using an air compressor and pressure gauge.
You loosen the lock collar and then twist the adjustment cap along the deflator’s main body to set the desired pressure. Each full turn of the adjustment cap changes the shut-off pressure by 4 psi. Turning them clockwise (down) increases the destination pressure and vice versa. It may take a few times to get them just right: inflating the tire a bit, making adjustments, and retesting to see if they stop at the desired pressure.
So far, I’ve had a great experience with these, and they really do save a lot of time and hassle. I only wish I’d discovered them sooner. The set comes with a set of four brass tire deflators, a carrying case, extra springs, and an instruction manual that fits in the case.