Are those cheap >$5 tire pressure gauges really that inaccurate for normal daily driving use? I really don't see myself spending $30+ on a gauge that I will use once a month or so.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EK k kay &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Are those cheap &gt;$5 tire pressure gauges really that inaccurate for normal daily driving use?</TD></TR></TABLE>

They might be, they might not be. And that is the problem; there's no way to tell an inaccurate one from an accurate one.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EK k kay &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I really don't see myself spending $30+ on a gauge that I will use once a month or so.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well, you drive your car every day, and proper inflation will keep your car performing well (and will maximize the life of your tires). So an accurate tire gauge is worth getting.

That being said, you don't need to spend $30 to get an accurate tire gauge. For example, this one* sells for $12 and is as accurate and well made and as easy to use as any gauge I have ever used. It's shown on the manufacturer's website here and comes with the rubber guard and bleeder valve.

*NOTE - If the tire gauge doesn't show up when you first go to the site, click on Non-Wearables, then click on the gauge. I am posting this link because the NSXCA sells them for $12, which is less than some other places sell the same gauge without the NSXCA logo.



Modified by nsxtasy at 12:27 PM 11/4/2005

 

A cheap digital gauge is much more accurate than an expensive analog one.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AutoXer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">A cheap digital gauge is much more accurate than an expensive analog one.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I've used several different brands of both types of gauges, and I disagree with this statement. A high-quality analog gauge (such as the Accu-Gage in the previous link) is every bit as accurate as a digital gauge.

 

Are those $1 pen-looking ones any good?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxtasy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I've used several different brands of both types of gauges, and I disagree with this statement. A high-quality analog gauge </TD></TR></TABLE>

Well, that's the key; high quality. I was making a general statement about the average gauges you'd find in stores. You can pick up any cheap digital gauge, and know that it's going to work well. Analog it's a crap shoot at best, and I've seen alot of expensive analog gauges that weren't all that accurate.

I'll have to take a look at the ones you posted.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EK k kay &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Are those $1 pen-looking ones any good? </TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm hoping that was being sarcastic...

 

Nope. Been using it for a year now.

 

Like I said, really cheap tire gauges are a crapshoot. Many of them are fine; many others are not. At a minimum, I would suggest comparing their measurement from time to time with a high quality gauge known to be accurate (digital or analog).

 

Buy 4 different $1 dollar ones and average them out?????.....LOL