Tyre Pressure Gauges

[robert_jean221]

Please could anyone recommend a robust, accurate, reasonably priced tyre pressure gauge. I'm a bit reluctant to go for a digital one, as sure as xxxx, the battery will be flat when you need it most.

Any suggestions would be gratefully received.

Bob

 

[television]

Somerfields were selling an AA meter for £5 and very accurate, but digital, you only use it for a few mins in any year.

There are many dial testers, but they are more expensive to manufacture, one made by a company like Schrader would be good

 

[antijam]

I have found the american 'Accutire' gauges to be exceptionally accurate and very convenient to use.
I'm currently using this one http://www.autogeek.net/acstditigu.html

It might look as if it's made of metal but it's actually plastic and very light. It claims a 'lifetime' for it's lithium battery - which is just as well, since it's not replaceable!

The only downside for a european user is that it only reads in psi. It's available in the UK for about the same price in £'s as in the US for $'s - from this supplier for example
http://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/P...DIGITAL-TYRE-PRESSURE-GAUGE/product_info.html

 

[Dosco]

Check this out http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RACE-X-PROFESSIONAL-TYRE-PRESSURE-GAUGE-BRAND-NEW

I purchased the same model last year and it has been first class and it is accurate, had it checked against a master gauge shortly after purchase.

 

[robert_jean221]

Thanks Dosco, but cannot get your link to work!!

Bob

 

[antijam]

Suspect it could be this one....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/RACE-X-PROFES...14&_trkparms=72:1683|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318

 

[bigasotonuk]

Hi,
Can,t talk with authority on the accuracy of the digitals, but don,t worry about the battery life as i bought mine with my bike 7 years ago and it still works well and its battery has never been replaced.

 

[philharve]

Tyre gauges, recommendations

Hi All

I would endorse Accutire too. I purchased a digital Accutire gauge some years ago at an absurdly low price (ebay) and it has proven both accurate and reliable as well as durable. Superb build and mostly metal. Lots of chrome. Boxed.

I have a Halfords model too, also a digital and built to last. Also boxed. Halfords rebranded it as their own. I don't know who really manufactured it.

There are some nice analogue dial gauges around too. I purchased one as a result of a Car Mechanics offer. It was boxed too. Mine had brass fittings but it got stolen when the case it came in was mistaken for a money wallet by a thief. They smashed my side window to get it. I bet they were surprised when they looked inside the case.

I also have an analogue linear pencil gauge with a double-headed valve connector. I has a thick chrome casing and is the most portable of my collection.

I have not found the very cheap models very accurate, repeatable or robust.

REGARDS

Phil

 

[robert_jean221]

Many thanks to all for your input. Gives me plenty to go on.

Cheers!

Bob

 

[keith100]

I bought a very nice one from my MB dealer - digital, with a led light to see the valve and little emergency penlight in the other end. $12 - made in an undoubtedly exclusive MB factory in err...... China.

But it has the MB logo on it, so it must be superior

 

[jberks]

I have a cheap, basic metal draper pencil gauge and its spot on.
I also have a dial gauge on my compressor which is 2psi out, but knowing that it's accurately 2psi out I can still accurately inflate to the correct pressure.
An accurate-ish gauge is important but +/-1psi isn't that critical on a road car IMHO. So long as it's within the manufacturers specified range. Admittedly you can't trust the gauges on garage forecourts so you need something to double check with but I wouldn't get too hung up on being spot on.
Most cars on the road if tested would be more like +/-10psi I suspect.

 

[hairyg]

I use a dial guage with a flexible hose that I bought from a motorcycle dealers locally that meets ISO standards of accuracy. It seems that bikers take their tyre pressures more seriously than the average motorist.

I've had it a few years now so I can't remember what it cost but it was not expensive or I wouldn't have bought it. Why not have a look in your local motorcycle dealership and see what they have.

 

[Alex M Grieve]

I also have a dial gauge on my compressor

I too use the gauge on my compressor (digital), probably about once a month. The logic is that I can do any adjustments at the same time, so "doing it once", rather than 2 separate jobs.

As jberks said, absolute accuracy is not imperative, and this way at least I know that the tyres are all inflated similarly. I do seem to get longer tyre life than some, so I'm happy that it works for me.

 

[vijilants]

Here is the autoexpress review of tyre guages:

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/products/225690/tyre_gauges_test.html

 

[MarkCL]

I've got a digital Draper one. Have had it about three years now and no problem with the battery. Seems accurate enough and easy to use too so have been very happy with it

Cheers,
Mark

 

[S80]

Also have the dial-type RACE-X model.

Seems well-made for the price and gives very repeatable results.

 

[philharve]

Mercedes air compressor with gauge

Hi All

My genuine Mercedes air compressor is fitted with a dial gauge for setting the maximum pressure which, of course, is variable. There is a separate take-off point - another valve - for attaching a second air pressure gauge, an accurate one, for double-checking the tyre pressure. A second valve connector is a better solution than detaching the compressor from the tyre and taking a second and possibly subsequent readings as the tyre is being inflated.

I was surprised to find that the standard dial gauge is reasonably accurate. I feel I could safely inflate a tyre using only this gauge for guidance. But I always double-check, just in case.

Do any members use the pressure-sensitive valve caps that indicate under pressure? Are they reliable or are they a waste of money?

REGARDS

Phil

 

[Blobcat]

I have a cheap, basic metal draper pencil gauge and its spot on.
I also have a dial gauge on my compressor which is 2psi out, but knowing that it's accurately 2psi out I can still accurately inflate to the correct pressure.
An accurate-ish gauge is important but +/-1psi isn't that critical on a road car IMHO. So long as it's within the manufacturers specified range. Admittedly you can't trust the gauges on garage forecourts so you need something to double check with but I wouldn't get too hung up on being spot on.
Most cars on the road if tested would be more like +/-10psi I suspect.

Same pencil gauge and same compressor probably...
Had the Caravelle serviced recently and I checked the rear tyre pressures afterwards and one was 11psi down and the other 6psi. I did discuss this with the service manager as it was a major wheels off service and checking the pressures should have been included. Since correcting the low pressures I have noticed a 2mpg benefit

 

[Weather Man]

If you ride a bike with small (20") tires, the amount of air lost during the pressure test can be important. For example I like 40 lbs on my Revive but inflate to 41-42 because that small hiss! when removing the fitting costs me a pound or two. Obviously this is nothing for an automobile tire but does anyone give a statistic on the amount (grams, say) of air "lost" by doing the test itself?

 

[lulu]

It seems that bikers take their tyre pressures more seriously than the average motorist.

You have to. A couple of PSI low and the handling will go to pot. I nearly understeered into the armco of a fast slip road due to the front tyre pressure having dropped on my bike once. It's the single biggest factor in getting the handling right. Forget expensive aftermarket shocks etc, just get the correct tyre pressures. I now check them every time I'm going for a decent run.