Electric vs. Mechanical Oil Pressure Gauges

Many vehicles don’t have an oil pressure gauge, but if yours does, you might be wondering what it does. Your vehicle’s oil pressure gauge displays your engine’s internal oil pressure. It’s important to keep an eye on these readings to make sure your engine is running well. There are two main types of oil pressure gauges out there, mechanical and electric. Electric gauges can further be broken down into bimetal, magnetic, and computer-driven gauges. Each type has its benefits and drawbacks. Today, we’ll examine how the two main types of oil pressure gauge stack up against each other.

Electric vs. Mechanical Oil Pressure Gauge Benefits and Drawbacks

While mechanical and electric oil pressure gauges both serve the same goal of displaying your oil pressure, they each have their own benefits and drawbacks to keep in mind. If you’re looking to install a new oil pressure gauge, here are the main things you should know about each type of gauge:

Mechanical Oil Pressure Gauge

Mechanical oil pressure gauges are known to be particularly reliable. Electrical system issues don’t affect them because they rely on mechanical readings straight from the oil in the engine. The mechanical readings also cut down on the system’s response time, meaning the readings are updated more quickly with a mechanical oil pressure gauge.

Mechanical gauges are typically made from durable materials like stainless steel. This, in tandem with not being tethered to an electrical system, allows mechanical gauges to function well even under harsh conditions. Race cars are often equipped with mechanical oil pressure gauges rather than electric ones.

However, mechanical oil pressure gauges do come with some drawbacks. Because of how certain mechanical gauges function, oil is fed to the back of the gauges from the engine. This means that there’s some amount of oil in your cockpit, and if any of it should spill out, it might cause you some problems.

Electric Oil Pressure Gauge

Electric oil pressure gauges have the benefit of being more accurate, easier to install, and more customizable. While it can be difficult to fit larger pressure senders into your engine, electric oil pressure gauges are typically more compatible with modern systems than their mechanical counterparts. They’re known to be accurate as well, with consistent real-time readings. As for customizability, electric gauges come in different colors and display faces.

What To Consider When Comparing Electric vs. Mechanical Oil Pressure Gauges

Now that you know the main draws of each type of oil pressure gauge, let’s take a look at specific factors you’ll want to consider.

Price

Electric or digital oil pressure gauges are typically more pricey than mechanical ones. This makes sense, given they’re more complex due to their electric systems and the electronics behind their design. Mechanical gauges are simpler in comparison and more affordable as a result.

Ease of Installation

Installing a mechanical oil pressure gauge takes about as much time as installing an electric oil pressure gauge. However, it will likely take a little more prep time. As we’ve mentioned, in many cases, mechanical gauges link directly to the engine bay. You need to avoid damaging the line to the mechanical gauge during installation. At the same time, the line needs to be as short as possible to get the most accurate readings. Neither of these factors are really a problem for an electric oil pressure gauge, which only needs to be connected to a sensor in the engine bay via a simple wire.

Reliability and Accuracy

Reliability and accuracy are factors that you really need to weigh when choosing between an electric or a mechanical gauge. You’ll often find that electric gauges tend to be more accurate but a little less reliable because they rely heavily on the electrical system. On the other hand, mechanical gauges are more durable but will wear down and might begin to lose their precision over time.

Another benefit to mechanical gauges is that you’ll see the oil pressure rise and fall exactly as the oil moves in the engine. The needle operates in real time with no delay. Electric gauges rely on sensors, and as a result, there’s a delay in the electronic reading. Analog gauges always show more realistically.

Mechanical pressure gauges allow you to see the oil pressure movement because the needle operates in real time. Electric gauges, on the other hand, rely on sensors and can have delays in the electronic reading.

–Anthony Harlin, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician

In the end, picking between a mechanical vs. electric oil pressure gauge boils down to what you want for your vehicle. If you want a gauge that’s easier to install and have confidence in your vehicle’s electrical system, then an electric oil pressure gauge should work for you. Alternatively, if you’d rather save some money while also investing in a more durable gauge, go mechanical. Weigh your options based on what you’ve learned, and choose an oil pressure gauge that suits your needs.

Get a Replacement Oil Pressure Gauge Without Leaving Your Home

Whether you have an electric or mechanical oil pressure gauge in your vehicle, it’s best to make sure it’s working at all times. Without a working oil pressure gauge, you won’t know if your engine is working as well as it should. Thankfully, it’s easy to order a new one from CarParts.com.

CarParts.com offers you the convenience of ordering your replacement parts from the comfort of your home. Our easy-to-navigate website has various filters to help you find the exact oil pressure gauge you need. After you find one that suits your vehicle, proceed through our quick and secure check-out. Once that’s done, all you have to do is wait. If you ordered before 12pm ET in the continental US, we’ll ship your brand new part to your door in as fast as two business days.

Keep an eye on your vehicle’s engine oil pressure to monitor its health. Buy a replacement Oil Pressure Gauge from CarParts.com today.