Has anyone ever used the inflator in the trunk? Do you have to refill it or does the compressor work off the engine.

the compressor is self contained (not on engine), no need to fill anything.

If the compressor is self contained and you use it to fill something, how does it recharge?

btw, your 97 Bonneville in the picture is a thing of beauty.

it has a motor (12V) that turns a compressor pump

You should hear the compressor pump run every time you start your car. At least I hear it on mine.

Sounds like a whirring sound behind the rear seats on mine.

Ok good news so I can use it to fill numerous flotation devices (fear of water) and it will recharge on its own??? awesome!!

Yep, that'll work fine.

THAT'* what that noise is!!! You'd laugh if I told you what I thought the noise was...

Oh come on now... You gotta tell after saying that!!!

:P

The compressors PRIMARY function is keeping the rear of the car level. It'll inflate the rear struts (they're actually gas struts with air assist) when you put heavy objects in the trunk. It does this automatically. Many higher-end cars have this feature, but very few add the auxiliary inflator as a bonus.

Just keep in mind it can take awhile to inflate large objects, including tires.