Any recommendations for a great tire pressure gauge?

FORGET ABOUT TIRE PRESSURE GUAGES.... I just got a active tire pressure system....It is the BEST, give me psi and temp (F or C) ... with all four tires readings... I fill up my tires and look at the display....it's accurate to 1 psi....
Its called TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitor System)....by Orange Electronics P409S, is what I got! IT"S WONDERFUL addition to all the guages in my 2004 PRIUS....

 

Please say a little more about this system. How much does it cost? What sort of thing do you have to put on each tire (or do you)?

 

After looking through this thread, I ordered both the Accu-gauge EZ and the H Series with a swivel head. I have NO problems using either with my 2010 or my 2005. And, they both seem to work fabulously. I like the 60psi granularity I got with the H Series, but the ability to add air while the gauge is attached is a nice option too. I think I'll put the EZ in my jeep for when I need to refill after being off road and use the H series to keep tabs on the Prius.

Bottom line - they both work well and without fit issues - for me.

 

I'm thinking about buying the Accu-Gage H-Series with swivel chuck. Is the Chek-A-Spare valve extender needed?

Judging from a pic I found (taken by Flickr user carabino)



it looks like the spare tire isn't that hard to get to. Admittedly, I've never taken the tire out, let alone looked under the storage bin.

Nevermind. I just found BPS's review of the gauge, along with nice photos of the extension in use.

 

I like digital. I have an Accutire brand gauge from costco and its very accurate. I like the fact that it self calibrates "0" for altitude and I believe temperature every time it turns on. Amazon has a large assortment of Accutire brand gauges but I tend to believe they are all the same on the inside.

 

The spare in outside down, so the valve stem in under the tire and you'll need to remove it each time you want to check it (not to mention I have the storage tray on top of it filled with stuff), so attaching the extension hose once, and running it to the left side storage area, makes it very convenient.

 

Re: Any recommendations for a great tire pressure gauge? (Psiclops Extreme)

I picked up a digital unit from Costco a few years ago just for that 0.1 psi incremental difference. That served me just fine until my buddy with a TDI sent me this:

Psiclops Extreme

Although it's storage case is bulky, I'll never go back to using a regular tire pressure gauge again.

This tire pressure gauge permits me to inflate my tires in pairs, equalizing the pressure between the two tires so they're balanced and also allows me to keep from having to get on my knees or bend down for longer than it takes to put on and take off the valve stem caps. The air hose connects directly to the remote gauge and has a bleeder valve on the body.

 

Just out of curiosity, why do you need a GREAT tire gauge? I have had expensive and cheap gauges. I have had digital and mechanical gauges. I never found more than a very slight difference in the readings. So, I got a short $2 gauge with a magnetic holder and put it inside the gas tank door so it is always available for a quick check. I had one in my previous car and it lasted about 5 years before it started getting inaccurate.

 

Hello All,

I recommend the air pressure gauge as shown in Car Talk's Shameless Commerce division. It is analog, accurate, and has built in bleeder for precise PSI's.

The item is here on the Car Talk website.

 

I am a former scientist and I agree with you. There is a limit to accuracy in an imprecise system such as a car tire. If you don't believe me, try checking your tires in a parking lot where only one side of the car is facing the sun after the car has been parked for a few hours, you will see a pressure difference of a few pounds. Or try getting two identical guages and check the same tire and see the deviation.

Accuracy is not as important as repeatability. Try measuring the pressure of all 4 tires. Write them down. Measure again. Is it repeatable?

After that, it is just keeping an eye on the pressure and performance until you get the pressure you want from the guage you have.

It is like your house thermostat. It is probably a cheap thing that is off by a few degrees. It does not matter because your body tells you what temperature you want. So you set it at the temperature that is right. As long as it is repeatable, it does not matter that the thermostat is off by a few degrees. If it is too cold, bump it up a few degrees. Your body and your monthly bill will provide feedback so that, after a time, you will know what is right for you. It is funny to hear the government asking people setting the thermostat to a certain temperature to save money - say 65 degrees. First, because of a lack of calibration, two people will set the same temperature and one will be chilly at 62 while another will be toasty at 68. Second, the thermostat is often not even in the same room where you spend most of your time. So, for example, with a thermostat set in the hallway, one has no idea of the temperature in the bedroom.

And if you are really really concerned, calibrate it. Have someone with a good pressure guage (if you trust your local mechanic or dealer) pump your tires to the exact pressure you want - say 40 psi. Take a reading on your cheap guage - say it reads 37 psi. Then 37 psi is your new sweet spot. Just make sure you always get 37 psi (on your cheap guage) and you are set. Your ride comfort, your gasoline bill, the tire profile (assuming you can read radial profiles) and your braking performance will tell you which way to adjust the pressure - of course, you need to stay within safety limits. If you can't tell the difference, then just set it at the recommended pressure and forget it, if you can't tell the difference, there is no sense playing with it.)

 

For various reasons, I like accuracy and repeatability.

And if I can get a great gauge that is both accurate and repeatable for $10, I will.

 

Then I recommend a cheap pencil guage. They seem to work better and are cheap. The dial guages have low scores.

http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/eng5242

 

I've been using an Accu-Gage for years. The bleed valve is great--for $15, why mess around with an inferior product:
Tire gauges

 

Agreed. I've had Accu-Gages for years too. They're accurate, repeatable and, being a dial gauge, more resistant to fluctuations due to cold than digital gauges (although dial gauges are more prone to damage if dropped).

A couple of years ago, I paid $10 or less for the Accu-Gage "S" model with the swivel chuck (and bleeder valve -- all S models have it).

However, I see that getagauge.com now sells the swivel chuck model for $11.50 and the straight chuck model for $10:

Tire gauges