If there’s one thing that can ruin a fun road trip, it’s a poorly inflated tire. Tires with too much or too little air can lead to poor fuel economy, premature tire wear, and an uncomfortably bumpy ride. In some cases, low tire pressure can even lead to blowouts and cause an accident. For your own safety, it’s best to keep tabs on your vehicle’s tire pressure as often as possible through the use of a high-quality air pressure gauge for tires.
There’s no shortage of tire pressure gauges on the market, so it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the choices available. To make things easier, it’s a good idea to limit your options by choosing the best type for you.
Also known as stick gauges, pencil gauges are shaped and sized like a pen that you can put in your pocket. They don’t need batteries to work, and they’re relatively cheap and easy to use. All you have to do is remove the gauge’s valve stem cap and stick the open end into your tire’s valve stem. A rod with markings will slide out to show you what the tire pressure is.
While pencil gauges are compact and easy to carry around, they aren’t always accurate and can be hard to read.
When people think of tire pressure gauges, an analog dial gauge is usually what they have in mind. Analog dial gauges use a Bourdon tube mechanism to measure tire pressure, which is displayed on a round dial face.
Similar to pencil gauges, they don’t need batteries to function. Analog dial gauges are also known to give accurate readings and are easier to read. Some gauges have bonus features, such as a glow-in-the-dark dial and an extendable hose.
As their name suggests, digital tire pressure gauges provide digital readings that are usually displayed on an LCD screen. They’re easy to read, accurate, and come with features like backlit displays, auto-shutoff, and memory functions.
Unfortunately, they aren’t as durable as other types of gauges, and they also need batteries to function.
There are also tire pressure gauges that have an inflator on them as well. It’s hooked up to an air hose, and if tire pressure is low, then you can use it to inflate your tire until it reads correctly.
To choose the right tire pressure gauge for yourself, you’ll have to consider several other features as well.
The most accurate tire pressure gauge is going to be the one that works within the pressure range of your vehicle’s tires. Tire gauges typically work best in the middle of their range, so if your tires run on 30 pounds per square inch (PSI), consider getting a gauge with a range of up to 60 PSI.
Today, most vehicles feature a TPMS. If your tire pressure isn’t correct, then your TPMS light may come on. If you check the pressure with your gauge and think it’s correct but the light stays on, you may think you have a problem with the TPMS, but it’s only an incorrect gauge.
A tire pressure gauge that isn’t accurate might as well be useless, so make sure to limit your choices to those that are actually certified. If you want, you can even go for a professional-grade gauge for even higher accuracy.
Tire pressure gauges with finer PSI increments and large dial faces also tend to be more accurate.
If your tire pressure is not correct, then the TPMS light may come on. If you check the pressure with your tire pressure gauge and think it’s correct but the light stays on, you may think you have a problem with the TPMS, but it’s only an incorrect gauge
–Anthony Harlin, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
People have varying definitions of what is and isn’t easy to use, so it’s best to first think about what this means for you. Are you looking for a gauge that you can easily use with only one hand? Do you need one that’s easy to read like a digital gauge with a large, illuminated LCD screen?
If you plan on bringing the gauge with you on your travels, then you’ll need one that’s compact and portable. Pencil gauges are great if you have limited storage, but if you have a lot of space in your trunk, then you might want to go for an analog or digital gauge instead.
As much as possible, invest in a tire pressure gauge that will last. The last thing you want is for the gauge to suddenly fail while you’re on the road, so be sure to check what material it’s made from. In general, metallic gauges feel more durable and sturdy than plastic ones. Analog gauges also have fewer electronic parts, so they tend to be more durable than digital gauges.
You’ll find a lot of cheap tire pressure gauges on the market, but not all of them are of good quality. We’re not saying you should buy the most expensive one out there, but the price typically reflects the gauge’s quality, accuracy, and other features.
Some gauges come with bonus features that can make measuring your vehicle’s tire pressure much more convenient. These features can range from illuminated displays to integrated tire deflators. Another example is a pressure hold feature, where the gauge retains the reading even after you remove it from the valve stem.
Some of the best-rated tire pressure gauges available on CarParts.com include Autometer’s 2343 Tire Pressure Gauge and OEMTOOLS’ Smart Tire Pressure Gauge.
If you’re looking for something small and compact, you can go for Armor All’s Digital Tire Gauge. Performance Tool’s W1450 Tire Pressure Gauge is also a great choice for its accuracy, ease of use, and relatively affordable price tag.
While it never hurts to follow the recommendations of other consumers, the choice is still up to you. At the end of the day, the best tire pressure gauge is the one that best fits your personal preferences.
From driving comfort to braking grip, tire pressure influences almost every factor of vehicle performance. If your tires are over-inflated or under-inflated, you’ll likely notice a change in your car’s driveability. In the worst-case scenario, under-inflated tires can even lead to blowouts. Luckily, you can avoid such accidents by regularly checking your tire pressure with a tire pressure gauge from CarParts.com.
At CarParts.com, you can find different types of tire pressure gauges, all sourced from the most trusted manufacturers in the industry. We offer high-quality products at different price points, so you’re sure to find one that fits your budget. If you find a competitor selling a product for cheaper, let us know and we’ll match or beat their price on the spot!
Don’t wait until your tires wear and fail from low tire pressure before getting your own tire pressure gauge. Check out our catalog of high-quality tire pressure gauges at CarParts.com and order one today!
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.