In the know: various tire pressure monitoring tools

Often overlooked, our vehicle’s tire pressure can directly affect how our automobile performs. That said, we’re going to take a look at the pieces of equipment that motorists use to properly check tire pressure.

Stick tire gauge

One of the most common tire pressure gauges comes in the form of stick (sometimes called pencil-type) pressure gauges.

These tire pressure gauges will have a side that connects to the tire’s air valve. Once pressed against the valve, the tongue of these stick pressure gauges will stick out revealing the actual pressure of the tire.

Stick tire pressure gauges are typically easy to find and are relatively cheap. However, they are best suited for light vehicles such as compact hatchbacks and small sedans. Usually, these gauges can handle up to 50 pound-force per square inch (psi).

Dial tire gauge

The dial tire pressure gauge is another tool one can use to check the pressure of one's tires.

Like the abovementioned stick tire gauge, the dial-type instrument is connected to a tire’s air valve. Once properly connected, the dial tire pressure gauge will display the actual tire pressure of the tire in question through an analog display.

Dial tire pressure gauges are compatible with larger vehicles but can be more expensive than basic stick gauges. These tire pressure gauges can work with up to more than 60 psi.

Digital tire gauge

A digital tire pressure will accurately display a tire’s running pressure on its digital screen. In some cases, these tire pressure gauges may have additional features, like a built-in flashlight to help you properly see what you’re working on even during nighttime.

These gauges can handle pressure of more than 100 psi.

Car's TPMS

Most modern cars are built with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that will calculate and display the running temperature of the tires either on the vehicle’s instrument cluster or infotainment system.

It would be a good practice to use this feature, if your automobile has one before you hit the road.

Why you should always have the right tire pressure

Having the right tire pressure is important. Tires that have low pressure can affect a car’s fuel efficiency as well as its handling. Driving under these conditions will increase one’s fuel consumption and will make the car’s steering quite heavy. Plus, the wear on the tire’s tread may also be affected.

On the other hand, overinflated tires are prone to accidents as the car's grip is compromised. In addition, the vehicle's tires could explode due to excessive air pressure.

Photos from Juan Paulo Papa

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