An inflatable car bed can either be pumped manually or with an electric pump. If the car bed does not come with a built-in electric pump, a manual or external electric pump can be used. The valve on the car air mattress is opened and connected to the nozzle from either the electric or manual pump. For a manual pump, manual pressure is applied, whereas for an electric pump, it is connected to a socket outlet and the rest is left for the pump to do the work.