A Simple Quest...for the real Air Pressure Guage

[FJRat]

I got four air gauges; a couple of them are the big round needle (expensive), a digital and a stick...they all read a different pressure on my tires. How can one determine the 'Real Air Gauge Pressure;'

 

[FJRat]

I got four air gauges; a couple of them are the big round needle (expensive), a digital and a stick...they all read a different pressure on my tires. How can one determine the 'Real Air Gauge Pressure;'

 

[Mihalis fjr]

My digital and stick they read the same air gauge pressure.Your gauges how many different pressure they read each from the other?

 

[SacramentoMike]

Just to try to be helpful--why not stop at a tire center somewhere and get a guy with state of the art equipment to read your pressure. Figure out which of your gauges comes closest to that. Throw away the other three.

 

[RossKean]

While the big round (mechanical) gauges are (can be) quite accurate, they are easily damaged by dropping. The old-style stick gauges are slightly better than kicking the tire to see how much air is in it. I've had good luck with inexpensive digital gauges. I have a right-angle one that has been beat to crap but still works and compares well to other gauges. The right angle head makes it possible to check on tires without right-angle valve stems. An old article, but some good information...

https://www.mcnews.com/mcn/technical/200511gauges.pdf

 

[garyahouse]

Just to try to be helpful--why not stop at a tire center somewhere and get a guy with state of the art equipment to read your pressure. Figure out which of your gauges comes closest to that. Throw away the other three.

+1

There's your answer. Period.

 

[Bungie]

I have the same problem with watches and clocks.

Confucius say: Man with many clocks never know what time it really is.

I'm convinced their is a worm hole that bends time and space between my bedroom in the morning and the clock in the kitchen. 15 minutes magically disappears between those two points every morning.

 

[RossKean]

Don't assume that a tire shop has professional, calibrated gauges (or know how to use them if they did)! My daughter had a set of tires installed by a big commercial tire shop and all four tires ended out with exactly the same pressure - almost 10 psi over the recommended inflation level.

 

[Bugman]

https://www.getagauge.com/faq.cfm#accuracy

https://www.ghmeiser.com/

These gauges you can trust. Lifetime warranty and made in the USA! 13 bucks. How can you lose?

 

[RossKean]

This is the rundown on the Accu-gage as referenced in the link I posted above. They rate it as a bit above average accuracy and rate it poorly in terms of durability. Don't know how much has changed since the 2005 article but it looks the same.

Type: Analog Dial

Range: 0–100 psi

Claims: Inflates with Air Pump

Comments: +1 psi @ 35, +1.5
psi @ 20 and 50.

Super easy to
read gauge face. Rubber bumper
case doesn’t adequately protect it.
A fine instrument; drop it and you'll
knock it out of whack. Locks to
valve stem. 10" braided flexible
hose. Holds reading solid until you
press release valve.
Contact: AutoSport.com
Accu-Gage EX02 $15.95

 

[FJRat]

I settled on an Accu Gage because I don't want to be the man with many gauges that never knows his air pressure.

Only on a motorcycle forum can one ask a question on tire air pressure and get an answer in Chinese philosophy...whatta a country!

 

[BullCBX]

I think the important point of checking and maintaining your tire pressure is consistently use the same gauge. This way you will know if you are really down 2-3PSI or not. Short of using some high dollar, high precision type of scientific equipment, you will end up with different readings across different gauges. Even same make/model gauges from the same manufacture can read-off a small percentage that can equate to 1PSI.They are mass produced and the majority are mechanical in construction. Don't over think it. Just find a (singular) gauge you like and is easy to use, and perform your tire maintenance with it. Just my $0.02 worth.

 

[ionbeam]

https://www.getagauge.com/faq.cfm#accuracy
https://www.ghmeiser.com/

These gauges you can trust. Lifetime warranty and made in the USA! 13 bucks. How can you lose?

This is the gauge that I got for my car for drag racing, tire pressure requirements change all day at the track. My gauge is now ~15 years old and it is still within 1 psi @ 40 psi. BUTTTtttt...... it is a bourdon tube gauge which means that with one good drop the accuracy is gone. The one shown in links, like the one I have has a rubber bumper around the gauge to make it more tolerant of oppsies. Unlike the digital gauges this one has a pressure release to make setting pressure easier.

Even among the same model tire pressure gauges there will be differences in accuracy. The bourdon tube gauge can be calibrated at the factory and should be more consistent, and the digital gauges should be more consistent. Some digital gauges come with a built-in 'life time' battery which may not be a good thing.

Edit: I see there was a lot of posting activity between when I started writing this post and actually clicked the Post button.

 

[DennisJ]

I have several digital gauges that all read exactly the same..

Cruz Tools model DGTG2 lives in the glove box

2 ea RoadGear Ready-To-Go Digital Tire Gauge one in my car the other in my tool box model TG102

The Cruz gauge reads to 1/10th of a pound, the others read to 1/2 of a pound. At around 40 psi I think they are accurate to plus/minus 1 pound

They are inexpensive enough that if one of them starts to give suspect readings I will replace. Haven't had to replace one since I started using digital gauges. I check tire pressure at least once a week on the FJR or whenever anyone else "adjusts" the air pressure when installing a tire or as part of a scheduled maintenance.

 

[CA G-Man]

I'm convinced their is a worm hole that bends time and space between my bedroom in the morning and the clock in the kitchen. 15 minutes magically disappears between those two points every morning.

I'd tell you I spend 15 minutes working my "magic" in the bedroom every morning too, but my wife would probably tell you it's more like 3 minutes.

 

[frankenfeejeer]

Just to try to be helpful--why not stop at a tire center somewhere and get a guy with state of the art equipment to read your pressure. Figure out which of your gauges comes closest to that. Throw away the other three.

+1

There's your answer. Period.

10+ years in the tire business and I can tell you that they get their gauges from the same place: the cheapest Chinese manufacturer they can find...

Pick 3, and use the one with the pressure in the middle.

 

[Queensland Ken]

I was lucky to have the fitters at work check the calibration of both the gauge and torque wrench.

You may be able to find a company that can check it for you on the cheap ie nothing official.

There is only a small difference between my good gauge and a couple of cheepies I have.

 

[Powerman]

I've found 3 D direct drive gauges very rugged.

Find an Instrument guy to check your calibration.

 

[Bokerfork]

The real question is what to do when you ride up to 5,00 feet in elevation and suddenly realize the psi has changed by 10%. Is it really 4 psi higher or is your gauge adjusted for sea level? Or is something more sinister at work?

Only Ionbeam knows.

Meanwhile, stick with one gauge for one set of tires. See how they handle and what kind of mileage and wear you get. Change tires(same brand) try a different gauge etc.. Keep detailed records and report back. Look for
Fred W's response and either discount it, or kneel down and pray to it.

Regardless, after all is said and done..........worry less, ride more. ( I was going to say something offensive but I'm on hiatus from that.