How to Select a Tire Pressure Gauge

A tire pressure gauge is a useful automotive tool that everyone should have. It measures how much pressure is exerted by the air inside a tire. All tires have a recommended tire pressure that should be maintained. Maintaining the right tire pressure maximizes the life of your tires and helps prevent dangerous blowouts. There are many different tire pressure gauges on the market you can choose from.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Determine how much you want to spend on your tire pressure gauge. These tools can be found for just a few dollars or more than $50. The more expensive ones are typically more accurate and can be easier to read.

2. Pick up a pencil-type tire pressure gauge for the most inexpensive option. These easy-to-use gauges have a stick core that pops out when attached to the tire valve. The stick core is printed like a ruler and gives a pounds per square inch (psi) measurement.

3. Select a dial-type tire gauge to get the most accurate reading. When it's important to have an exact tire pressure measurement, these kinds of gauges are more reliable and precise.

4. Choose a digital tire pressure gauge for the easiest-to-read model. They are not always as accurate as analog tire pressure gauges, but you don't have to count hashes to get a reading. The downside is that they require batteries to work.

5. Look for a gauge that allows you to read the pressure as you adjust it. These gauges can be connected to the air compressor valve and the tire valve at the same time, which saves you time. Many automotive professionals select these gauges.

6. Select a balancing tire pressure gauge to fill two tires at once. These gauges let you ensure that either your two front tires or your two back tires have the exact same tire pressure. Equally inflated tires makes for a smooth ride on the road.

7. Choose a multifunctional unit to get more bang for your buck. Some tire pressure gauges have flashlights incorporated into them to help you find your way if you need to check your tires at night.

Tips & Warnings

• Many of the newer-model cars have built-in tire pressure monitors that can read each tire's pressure and alert you when you need to adjust it. It's handy to still have a handheld gauge, however, so that you can quickly and easily check the pressure as you are inflating or deflating your tires.
• Don't select a super cheap tire pressure gauge. It may cost only a couple dollars, but it probably won't be very accurate.
• Be careful when handling a tire pressure gauge to preserve its functionality. These instruments tend to be sensitive to rough handling, and they can become inaccurate over time if dropped or jostled.