Pressure gauge accuracy

[vectorg]

I recently bought an air compressor to keep my tires inflated properly. After trying it out, I checked the pressure with 3 different air gauges I have.

The pressure reading is way different with each one. 32, 38, and 44 on the same tire!



I press and hold each gauge until I hear no air escaping from the valve.

Can you guys please recommend an accurate air gauge for me to buy.

Thanks.

[Ford Man]

I've noticed the same thing with the cheaper pen type gauges. I bought a digital gauge a couple years ago that reads to the nearest 0.5 psi. I don't remember the brand name (maybe Slime), but seems that it may be pretty accurate. At least the tires seem to look properly inflated using it. I've also compared it's reading to the pressure gauge on one of the better grade portable compressors and they are pretty close to one another, but neither one is even close to China made pen gauge or the china made inflation hose/gauge I have. If you can find a gauge made in the US or Japan it will probably be more accurate than anything made in China. Campbell/Hausfield is a well known manufacturer of compressors and I think I've seen their own brand pen gauges in Walmart which might be fairly accurate.

[vectorg]

Thanks Ford Man,

A person should not have to buy three different gauges and average them out to get a reading on his a car tire pressure.

I'm still looking for a proven-accurate pressure gauge.

Now that I'm more educated, I realize it won't be easy to find.

My tire-pressure gauges vary by at least 10 PSI which is totally unacceptable.

The difference between 30 and 40 lbs. is...

1. under-inflation leading to lower mileage

2. over-inflation leading to irregular tire wear

I want an accurate tire gauge, that's all.

See you.

[theholycow]

I'm not sure I've ever seen an accurate telescoping gauge...that includes one on an inflation attachment for compressors, not just the standalone pen ones.

Digital gauges sold for bicycles seem to be better, although I've seen some variation in those too. I imagine dial gauges are similarly accurate.

Mainly if a gauge is consistent then you can calibrate compared to something you trust, but I've never found anything worth trusting so I just choose one gauge and use it.

I've been happy with these (brand names and colors vary but the photos are obviously the same units as mine):

[DRW]

Car and Driver just compared a few nice tire pressure gauges here;
http://www.caranddriver.com/features...cutire-gearbox

[theclencher]

Too bad they didn't test accuracy.

[DRW]

Originally Posted by theclencher

Too bad they didn't test accuracy.

Good point.
That got me thinking, so I did a search. Here's a good article;
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.ef017dc/0
I haven't read it all yet, I can't wait to see how it turns out!
Don't anyone spoil it for me please.

[Ford Man]

Best tires gauge in the world. At the un heard of low price of only $119.95. Hell I've bought cheaper sets of tires.

http://www.agcoauto.com/content/Tire_Pressure_Gauge

[kamesama980]

Even factory direct style TPMS is only fairly accurate. I've used my old jobs hunter gsp9700 to inflate a set of 4 tires to the same pressure and the sensors read +/-2 psi. yea, 4 psi variation. yea it's a good idea 'cause people are idiots but it's not perfect.

[bobc455]

This has always been one of my biggest frustrations - I've seen plenty of precise tire gauges but I have no way to determine accuracy.

And now for one of my most memorable lessons from high school...



How a gauge can "seem accurate" is a confusing concept to me...

-BC