The definitive guide to choosing a tire pressure gauge
Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 4:42 am
This post is a brief, but hopefully comprehensive guide to choosing the right tire pressure gauge. We won't cover why you need to deflate, or by how much here, as the focus is on the specs of the tools you will need. I'll be adding pictures later.
Gauge Range
Sand driving requires low tire air pressure, so we are dealing in the low PSI range. Therefore, the gauge you choose must be able to read the lowest possible pressure. For practicality, any gauge that starts from 5 PSI is OK, but lower is better. This also means that for analog gauges (those which have a needle and are mechanically operated) there is a lower top pressure for the gauge. The optimal range we are looking for is 0 to 60 PSI. There are gauges that can measure 0 to 100PSI..but they may not be optimal, read on to know why.
Gauge Increment
The gauge should be able to tell you the tire pressure at increments of 1 PSI. There are gauges with 2PSI increments, and there are 0.5 PSI increments. The 2PSI gauge is not clear enough and the 0.5 is an overkill. Get a gauge that spells your pressure 1 PSI by 1PSI.
Ease of Use
Generally, there are 2 types of gauges: Press On, and Screw on. With the press on, you need to press the gauge input onto the tire valve, and with the screw on, you need to screw on the input on the tire valve.. Guess which one is easier to use: The press on of course.
However, some press on gauges don't have enough cavity to receive the tip of the tire valve completely in them, and you have to be very accurate while using them.. Normally air escapes and you need multiple attempts to get a reading. On the other hand screw on gauges are tight, but take much more time to use.
Pressure Reading Consistency
The better quality gauge the more consistent the reading you get over time, even after prolonged usage. Like all things, the pressure gauge may not give you the correct reading of the pressure and might be off by a couple of PSIs up or down, but this is not as important as having a gauge that produces the same reading time after time.
Calibrating Your Gauge
After you get your precious gauge, drive to the nearest air pump (any petrol station will do) and use the pumps electronic gauge to check your tire pressure. Then use your own gauge to check the pressure and note the difference.
If there is no difference, excellent. If there is a difference of 1 or maybe 2 PSI, check two more time to make sure your gauge is consistent, then remember to add or subtract this difference from your gauges reading every time you check your tire pressure.
Digital Pressure Gauges
Digital Pressure gauges overcome many of the shortcomings of analog gauges, however, you still need to calibrate them and make sure they are consistent. Moreover, if their battery is out, you got nothing. Also they are affected by heat, but only in the extreme cases.
Gauge Range
Sand driving requires low tire air pressure, so we are dealing in the low PSI range. Therefore, the gauge you choose must be able to read the lowest possible pressure. For practicality, any gauge that starts from 5 PSI is OK, but lower is better. This also means that for analog gauges (those which have a needle and are mechanically operated) there is a lower top pressure for the gauge. The optimal range we are looking for is 0 to 60 PSI. There are gauges that can measure 0 to 100PSI..but they may not be optimal, read on to know why.
Gauge Increment
The gauge should be able to tell you the tire pressure at increments of 1 PSI. There are gauges with 2PSI increments, and there are 0.5 PSI increments. The 2PSI gauge is not clear enough and the 0.5 is an overkill. Get a gauge that spells your pressure 1 PSI by 1PSI.
Ease of Use
Generally, there are 2 types of gauges: Press On, and Screw on. With the press on, you need to press the gauge input onto the tire valve, and with the screw on, you need to screw on the input on the tire valve.. Guess which one is easier to use: The press on of course.
However, some press on gauges don't have enough cavity to receive the tip of the tire valve completely in them, and you have to be very accurate while using them.. Normally air escapes and you need multiple attempts to get a reading. On the other hand screw on gauges are tight, but take much more time to use.
Pressure Reading Consistency
The better quality gauge the more consistent the reading you get over time, even after prolonged usage. Like all things, the pressure gauge may not give you the correct reading of the pressure and might be off by a couple of PSIs up or down, but this is not as important as having a gauge that produces the same reading time after time.
Calibrating Your Gauge
After you get your precious gauge, drive to the nearest air pump (any petrol station will do) and use the pumps electronic gauge to check your tire pressure. Then use your own gauge to check the pressure and note the difference.
If there is no difference, excellent. If there is a difference of 1 or maybe 2 PSI, check two more time to make sure your gauge is consistent, then remember to add or subtract this difference from your gauges reading every time you check your tire pressure.
Digital Pressure Gauges
Digital Pressure gauges overcome many of the shortcomings of analog gauges, however, you still need to calibrate them and make sure they are consistent. Moreover, if their battery is out, you got nothing. Also they are affected by heat, but only in the extreme cases.