Best Tyre Pressure Gauge to Buy?

Duh · Guru

Best Tyre Pressure Gauge to Buy?

biggles · Senior Member

.. Strange as it may seem Vic, I still find my pencil type (and probably the cheapest) to be the most accurate ..

PeterInSa · Guru

I have the [Dial type with pressure release button.....Showed same tyre as being 48psi.] to me I would not buy another unit, you could well have a 4th different reading. For Highway use, I top up cold tyres to be around 5 PSI from max tyre pressure as per reading on the TPMS monitor. ( and do not use the sensor locks)

And if you purchase a TPMS, U could use the tyre pressure gauge that is closest to the TPMS readings., because using the wrong gauge could result in low or high pressure alarms on your TPMS

03_troopy · Guru

Unless you get certified a pressure gauge that that has a calibration sticker on it, I think any you buy from popular outlets at "reasonable" prices will be the same. Probably the best you can do is to have one that is at least consistent in it's readings, and covers a range so that your normal tyre pressure is about 2/3 or the full scale reading of the gauge. Again consistency is not easy to test, because you have to have something to compare it with. I use a digital one myself that I paid about $20 for from Kingchrome. It seems to give consistent readings when I checked my tyres every so often over a period of a month or so at the same time of morning before driving. And that's another thing, make sure you check tyre pressures when they are cold as obviously the pressure will increase when the tyre has heated up a bit from driving.

Duh · Guru

Duh wrote:
I've got three tyre pressure gauges at home, checked the tyres today on a vehicle, got these readings all for the same tyres;
Bushranger? from ARB, compressor type with dial display........Showed tyre pressure at 50psi.
Metal pencil slide in/ slide out type....Showed same tyre pressure as being 46 psi.
Dial type with pressure release button.....Showed same tyre as being 48psi.
Local garages hopeless, one is out by 10psi, others not much better.
Thinking I need to buy a new one, any suggestions on best one to buy please

Thanks for all the feedback, I hadn't thought of those TPMS thingo's Peter, all my readings above were done at the same time and when the tyres were cold. Like Jon, providing the slide is kept clean, I tend to put more faith in the pencil gauge. Good points Troopy.

I do allow for around 4 - 5PSI when the tyres are hot, and add a bit (around 4PSI) cold when towing or doing a long haul trip.

Baz421 · Guru

Hi Duh

I have ARB one in small pouch for lowering tire pressures etc etc. It seems fairly accurate BUT is a problem with airbags as it is screw on and this means as you unscrew from airbag valve air escapes, and then pressure is unknown. OK if you don't have airbags.

In my opinion good quality guages (need to spend the $ to [hopefully] get it right) are out there at most 4WD specialist retailers. Their reputation depends on quality products - I say this tongue in cheek and await the howls from those who have had problems (we all do).

Slide guages, especially the cheapies are a problem generally, and can often vary with temperature and also with several readings taken one after the other .

Cheers Baz

-- Edited by Baz421 on Sunday 25th of November 2012 09:00:41 PM

-- Edited by Baz421 on Sunday 25th of November 2012 09:00:59 PM

Duh · Guru

Thanks Baz, I don't have air bags so one less thing to worry about as far as the gauge is concerned.

I have had the plastic pencil gauges which seem pretty crappy, but the metal (aluminium?) one seems to be fairly accurate, I have a bit more faith in that than the others I have, but I will have a look around to see what else is available or better quality if I can find one.

patrolst · Senior Member

I have a "Schrader" double slide type 0 to 120 psi reading. (made in Australia)

-- Edited by patrolst on Monday 26th of November 2012 07:50:56 PM

turbopete · Senior Member

Pirelli make a very good one

Nomad246 · Senior Member

Baz421,, yes airbags are a problem to check pressure in. I've got polyairs in my old Patrol (on seperate lines) and if you check the pressure with anything other than an aircompressor gauge you mostly end up with different rear ride heights, even if they are only 2lb difference.

Duh,, I use a cheapy pencil type on the tyres, compare all the readings (I run all tyres same pressure) and if the readings vary between I then hook up the quality 12v offroad compressor and inflate to it's gauge. I usually find my cheapy pencil type is only a couple of lbs out to the expensive compressor.

My view is,, spend the money on a quality 12v compressor with gauge and spend very little on the seperate gauge.

Cheers