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Tire pressure gauges, I bought 2 new ones, reading is way off from my old one

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Jeffrimerman, May 28, 2018.

  1. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    My pencil style gauge is Made in USA by Tru-Flate.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  2. Starship16

    Starship16 Senior Member

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    Checked my tires today, using both gauges. Oddly (but good!) there was only 1 psi difference this time. The Milton stick gauge was 1 pound higher.

    No problemo. :cool:
     
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  3. lenjack

    lenjack Active Member

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    Not so fast. I told my gas station guy his gauge was off. ahe checked it, and told me I was right!
     
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  4. Starship16

    Starship16 Senior Member

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    Well, so much for the digital tire gauge. It's playing games with me again. The number read-out wouldn't go above 26. I think the thing is fried from being kept in my hot car.

    I will stay with the simple pencil style gauge. At least I know what I'm getting with that.
     
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  5. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

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    I scrolled through all the post and didn’t see any mention of a P.C.L.(Pneumatic Components Ltd.) Tyre gauge. That’s the brand that I use. Made in England and very high quality, I’ve kept in my car for years. No plastics used in this tool. It’s made like a piece of fine jewelry and has very good accuracy.
     
  6. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Thanks for the info. I've never heard of that brand. Just looked up. Which one do you have?
    PCL - Tyre Pressure Gauges

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  7. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

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  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I've had a PCL for years, range is something like 20 to 120 psi (I should check lol). Accordingly the gradations are kinda tightly packed, but still readable. The only "consumable" I'd say is the rubber gasket that presses against the valve stem, looking knackered but still works. Wish I could find replacement gasket.

    PCL on left, Milton on right:

    IMG_9542.JPG IMG_9544.JPG
     
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  9. BZzap!

    BZzap! Senior Member

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    Critical, low pressure in one or more of your tires is what a tire gauge is all about. Accuracy, IMHO is secondary to tire pressure differential. The main thing is to check your tires often. A slightly, inaccurate gauge is better than none at all.
     
  10. Starship16

    Starship16 Senior Member

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    Thei PCL website says:
    The product you have searched for is currently unavailable to purchase online in the USA.

    Edit: just saw the PCL TPG1 on eBay. $11.49, plus shipping from England. :eek:

    It says the PCL gauge is accurate -/+ 1-2 pounds. The Milton gauge accuracy is probably similar. Maybe I should put in 40 psi. That way, I am "somewhere in the ballpark." :LOL:
     
    #50 Starship16, Oct 21, 2018
    Last edited: Oct 21, 2018
  11. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    :eek:Wow, PCL is not plastic. I like the look of it already. I'm gonna have to get one of PCL gauge. eBay, here I come.
     
  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I tried both, the Milton and the old PCL I have. To be fair, I'm used to the Milton, and the PCL's sealing gasket is semi-knackered. It took several tries with the PCL to get a solid, hiss-free reading, and with the Milton it was very positive, bam the stick was out. The PCL has a wider range, possibly a factor. The Milton only goes up to 70, enough even for the temp spare. The stick is plastic, but very easy to read. The Milton read about 2 psi higher fwiw.
     
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  13. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    This one is available from Amazon, and have narrower range of 6-50 PSI suitable for car tires.
    PCL - Passenger Tire Pressure Gauge - TPG1H17 (6-50 PSI, Angle Chuck)
    Price: $16.53 & FREE Shipping

     
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  14. Starship16

    Starship16 Senior Member

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    The Milton would be much easier to read for my old eyes. I put 40 in the front, and 39 rear. I assume that is somewhere close to the factory specs of 36/35. :LOL: Car seems to ride Ok.

    Here's the eBay link if anyone wants the PCL gauge:

    PCL AIR TYRE PRESSURE GUAGE PSI & BAR TPG1 GENUINE PART | eBay
     
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  15. Starship16

    Starship16 Senior Member

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    Thank you.
     
  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    A 50 psi max gauge is fine except for the temp spare which is 60. With spare-less Prime no problem, and I'd think easy to read increments.
     
  17. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    For those who have compact spare and need to check presser, Amazon also have this.
    PCL - Passenger Tire Pressure Gauge - TPG4H17 (10-120 PSI, Twin Angle Chuck)
    Price: $17.79 & FREE Shipping
     
  18. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Pretty sure that's the one I have, that's the range. I'm gonna email them about replacement gaskets. It's strange nothing much on Amazon.
     
    #58 Mendel Leisk, Oct 21, 2018
    Last edited: Oct 21, 2018
  19. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    No, your pic shows single head chuck. The one on Amazon is double head chuck.
    Yours must be this one. https://www.pclairtechnology.com/products/tyre-care-equipment/tyre-pressure-gauges/tpg3h01/
    Now, I look at the head of those gauges, 90 degree angle is different from most of pencil type tire gauge sold in US including Melton in Mendel's picture which has 45 degree angle. I think 45 degree angled head is easier to push onto the valve stem.
     
    #59 Salamander_King, Oct 21, 2018
    Last edited: Oct 21, 2018
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  20. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    As long as we all stay away from the 2 buck Chuck, we’ll be ok:p.
     
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