Recently pumped my tyres up with a foot pump,2.2bar(32psi), I then checked it with a gauge that's used to take pressure out, after towing, that gauge only showed 28psi in the tyre. 

What do people find to be the best for showing accurate pressure in a tyre?

In my experience, electronic gauges tend to be the most accurate. Gauges attached to foot or electric pumps should only be used as a guide as they are built to a cost.

 

10 minutes ago, NZ100 said:

Recently pumped my tyres up with a foot pump,2.2bar(32psi), I then checked it with a gauge that's used to take pressure out, after towing, that gauge only showed 28psi in the tyre. 

What do people find to be the best for showing accurate pressure in a tyre?

 

Just now, JD52 said:

In my experience, electronic gauges tend to be the most accurate. Gauges attached to foot or electric pumps should only be used as a guide as they are built to a cost.

 

I agree with JD, the one on the foot pump is more likely to be incorrect. Without having a calibrated gauge, it's difficult to be completely sure of accuracy - I prefer to use a dial type gauge - and try to prevent it from getting knocked-around too much.

One of the 'race' type of dial gauges from a reputable supplier should be ok. 

I also agree, gauge on my Aldi electric pump is totally useless. I use an electronic gauge. Plenty of reputable reviews on line to help you choose one.

Also found garage/supermarket gauges can sometimes be inaccurate and you may be checking a warm tyre. 

Edited 7 March, 20224 yr by GreenMachine1.6
spelling

Filling station air inflators / compressors you pay 20 or 50 pence to use are calibrated and maintained by professionals.

 

These are accurate. 

 

So this gauge I have, is more likely to be accurate?

I use Halfords digital guage and has worked fine so far.

They all work when working and if they have batteries as long as they have energy you are ready to go.

 

The thing is to know if they are accurate you need to check against against another you know is accurate.

Sometimes a car that has the ability to tell you the cars tyre pressures is the way to check if the tyre pressure gauge you use says the same as the car. 

16 hours ago, NZ100 said:

the best for showing accurate pressure in a tyre

dTPMS -> https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/488740-my17-superb-retrofitted-with-direct-tpms/?do=findComment&comment=5487683

 

13 hours ago, Ecomatt said:

I use Halfords digital gauge and has worked fine so far.

Me too. I also checked it against the gauge on the Halfords own, twin cylinder foot-pump and at 30 Lbs, they were exactly the same.

So was the gauge on the foot pump digital as well ?

The gauge you have put up a photo of doesn't inspire much confidence in me by it's appearance, and no manufacturers name, it might be great but by the photo only, not for me.

 

Digital or analogue it's the accuracy that matters rather than type.  At one time I had three pencil type gauges two read the same and the third 2 psi different.

 

On 08/03/2022 at 08:11, Ecomatt said:

I use Halfords digital guage and has worked fine so far.

My wife bought me one years ago and when I checked at the time a Weights & Measure bloke send he tested it and found it to be very accurate (within its stated parameter).

 

Mine sits in the boot of the car which is outside 365/6 days a year with huge solar gain in summer (the Halfords badges came unglued one summer) and whatever temperatures the winter brings, always worked - to be clear I haven't confirmed it readings recently as I haven't felt the need.  There are pre-sets and bar and old money but I can't remember how to alter the settings and the leaflet font is too small for my eyes now.  I can only remember having to change the batteries once.

 

I had an old well known name quite expensive dial gauge one but it didn't last too long, poor value.

 

Personally I'd never trust a garage or petrol station gauge or any on electric or manual foot pumps and never use them anyway as I keep a manual foot pump in my boot (instead of a spare wheel but that upsets so many).

 

I've had my Halfords for a few years now so I don't know if the current batch are as well made. - Halfords LED Digital Tyre Pressure Gauge 2015.

 

 

Edited 9 March, 20224 yr by nta16

Semi-related, but can I ask: What electronic tyre inflator / pump do people use & recommend, and what connection type do they have? 

 

For context: I used to use (one that is several re-badged versions of-) this, but stopped using it as the connection type has recently broke my valve core - requiring a recent tyre replacement (which luckily already needed changing anyway). Michelin PS4S 235/35 R19s ain't cheap 😥 . Essentially, the connector is a rotating plastic female-threaded 'cuff' which connects onto the 'male' threaded valve, in-line with the inflator hose.

 

I've found these types of connectors to initially be ok, but then the cuff often stops spinning freely as soon as it's onto the valve, and starts to wind the inflator hose up around it - making the whole attachment & detachment process a pain. It also increases friction on the valve, and subsequently the potential likelihood to cause damage to the valve core...

 

I wondered if anyone would recommend another inflator / compressor which either uses that 'lever-connect' system (similar to a higher-end bicycle tyre inflator á lá Topeak Joe Blow), or another less 'faffy' but secure system which they swear by?

 

Price point doesn't really matter for me so long as it's quality (no cheapo Chinese stuff) and doesn't wreck my valves 😀👍

 

Any recommendations much appreciated!

I've seen this one get a good review but it is a (metal) screw-on fitting still, hopefully better made though, all metal bodied, needs the engine running to use  - Viair 70P Portable Compressor Kit 12V 100 PSI for Passenger Car Tires w/ Twist-on Tire - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/303726177395

 

 

 

Personally I dislike the electric pumps they're generally noisy, asthmatic and all the farting about with that thin wire cable draping out of the window and on my wife's Fabia the thin wire cable won't fit back into its space so the pump does fit the polystyrene boot space holder thing.  I prefer and use a manual foot pump, have done for decades (instead of carrying a spare wheel but let's not start that debate).

 

Unfortunately like a lot of items now the manual foot pumps aren't as well made now as they were decades back.

 

I have a Heyner PedalPower Pro now, only had it for a year or two so I don't know it's longevity, it does have the lever clamp fitting which I also prefer but as it's a twin type head I don't know how well it'd fit in some of the high-fashion wheels some have on their vehicles.  The retaining clip to hold it compressed when stored isn't designed or made that well but it does do it's job.  The gauge, like I've found all to be, is not to be relied on. - https://heynershop.co.uk/air-compressors-air-pumps/20-pedalpower-pro-foot-air-pump-4028224218007.html

 

Edited 10 March, 20224 yr by nta16

2 hours ago, Ads230 said:

I wondered if anyone would recommend another inflator / compressor which either uses that 'lever-connect' system (similar to a higher-end bicycle tyre inflator á lá Topeak Joe Blow), or another less 'faffy' but secure system which they swear by?

If you have the screw on type of fitting you can add on one of these to the end:-

 

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B098QR7958/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Thanks, AG Falco

 

 

@nta16 @AGFalco Many thanks both - especially for that add-on fitting, never seen one of those before! 👍 and now annoyed I didn't think of that in the first place 😅

 

I might try that before considering another air compressor, but will probably pair it with a decent standalone digital (or hopefully mechanical) tyre pressure gauge to avoid any accuracy loss in extending the hose.

Edited 11 March, 20224 yr by Ads230

1 hour ago, Ads230 said:

pair it with a decent standalone digital (or hopefully mechanical) tyre pressure gauge

Yes don't rely on any gauge on any pump unless proven accurate with testing over time.

 

The accuracy of the (sperate independent) gauge isn't about type but the build quality absolute precision isn't really needed as long as the gauge is and remains consistently accurate and you use the same gauge all the time on all the tyres.

 

If I lost or damaged the Halfords 2015 digital gauge I'd happily go back to using my one remaining old PLC pencil type pocket gauge, just be more difficult to find in the boot as I don't have a case for it (and not glove box or door pockets on my car).

 

Good luck with whatever you pick.

 

The all metal type tyre inflator seem better / stronger.

See this:- 

 

 

A useful tip is pumps can tend to blow a fuse when you first start them.

So I will start the pump then attach my extension clip to the valve.

I will also just over inflate the tyre then use a tyre pressure gauge to drop the pressure down to the wanted level.

 

Thanks, AG Falco

1 hour ago, AGFalco said:

A useful tip is pumps can tend to blow a fuse when you first start them.

Good advice.

 

1 hour ago, AGFalco said:

I will also just over inflate the tyre then use a tyre pressure gauge to drop the pressure down to the wanted level.

I do that too (but with a manual foot pump).  Some come with an adapter to connect directly to the car battery.

 

1 hour ago, AGFalco said:

So I will start the pump then attach my extension clip to the valve.

Viar disagree with you there for their units  -  "Connect the press-on tire chuck to a tire valve stem before turning the unit on".

 

@Ads230Here's Viar's model 84P with "press-on air chuck" and analogue gauge, with 15 amp draw (see pdf of User Manual).

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/293792153620

 

00084_Manual.pdf

Edited 11 March, 20224 yr by nta16
forgot pdf

5 minutes ago, nta16 said:

Viar disagree with you there for their units 

 

This is just what I have found.  Just like light bulbs, they tend to blow when you first turn them on. 

 

I hope that Viair knows what a green dust cap indicates in the first video for the 70 P. N

 

 

Thanks, AG Falco

10 minutes ago, AGFalco said:

I hope that Viair knows what a green dust cap indicates in the first video for the 70 P.

They might I don't, as the video and company is American I saw it but thought no more of it, so what does the green dust cap indicate?

 

That the tyre/tire is filled just with Nitrogen, not normal air from a tyre inflator.

 

Thanks, AG Falco

16 minutes ago, AGFalco said:

That the tyre/tire is filled just with snake oil, not normal air from a tyre inflator.

Edit inline, bold.

44 minutes ago, AGFalco said:

That the tyre/tire is filled just with Nitrogen, not normal air from a tyre inflator.

I should have guessed something like that but I'd have thought of blue for that.

 

I had to look it up but NASA reckons air is 78% nitrogen, although I've no idea /forgotten // never really knew what happens to air when compressed.  I can't even fact check now RT off-air. 🙃

 

It's not oil it's a gas, gas, gas, as the very ancient one would wheeze. 😁

 

15 hours ago, nta16 said:

I'd have thought of blue for that.

That is for Run flat tyres. Although you rearly see this.

 

Air is 78% Nitrogen already.

 

Don't waste your money paying to have just Nitrogen filled in your tyres.

 

Thanks, AG Falco