Which tire pressure reader do u trust?

[Jus-A-CMax]

So I inflate my tires with the CMax wee-pump. It says 50psi and then I turn it off. When I check it with my Autozone bought tire pressure reader, it says 46 psi.

 

Which one do I trust?

Edited October 2, 2013 by Jus-A-CMax

[xanotos]

You inflate your tires to 50psi??? Isn't the recommended psi 38?

Edited October 2, 2013 by xanotos

[drdiesel1]

I use a digital gauge. That's the one I trust. Actually, I bought 4 of the same brand and use one in my car, one on my motorcycle,

one for my wife's car and I keep one on my tire machine. The tire machine has it's own, but it's not a digital readout.

 

You could also TPMS data from the TPMS module and see what the sensors report.  Whatever you do, stick with one gauge.

IMO, the digital gauge will be more accurate than the gauge on your air pump.

 

I use this brand for my Mountain Bike http://www.amazon.com/SKS-Airchecker-Digital-Schrader-Pressure/dp/B001OMQK6Q/ref=sr_1_116?ie=UTF8&qid=1380692030&sr=8-116&keywords=tire+pressure+gauge

 

 This is the one I have 4 of
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BYM4YK/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
 

Edited October 2, 2013 by drdiesel1

[Jus-A-CMax]

I use a digital gauge. That's the one I trust. Actually, I bought 4 of the same brand and use one in my car, one on my motorcycle,

one for my wife's car and I keep one on my tire machine. The tire machine has it's own, but it's not a digital readout.

 

You could also TPMS data from the TPMS module and see what the sensors report.  Whatever you do, stick with one gauge.

IMO, the digital gauge will be more accurate than the gauge on your air pump.

 

I use this brand for my Mountain Bike http://www.amazon.com/SKS-Airchecker-Digital-Schrader-Pressure/dp/B001OMQK6Q/ref=sr_1_116?ie=UTF8&qid=1380692030&sr=8-116&keywords=tire+pressure+gauge

 

 This is the one I have 4 of

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BYM4YK/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

 

Thanks for the links, thats exactly what I need instead of my el cheapo autozone one.

 

@xanotos...yep. Matt is running 53! Max is 50, I think.

Edited October 2, 2013 by Jus-A-CMax

[drdiesel1]

Thanks for the links, thats exactly what I need instead of my el cheapo autozone one.

 

@xanotos...yep. Matt is running 53! Max is 50, I think.

Sidewall rated @ 51 PSI.  I have 50, but I will be bumping it up to 55 :)

[METROMAN]

Tire guages are like thermometers. They all read different. Go to your local Wmart or hardware store & look at the display of outdoor thermometers. You'll be amazed it the different temp readings. Cheap tire guages are the same way.

[JAZ]

Notorious for goofy readings are the old-fashioned 'pencil' stick gauges.

[fbov]

The thing I learned racing is that accuracy is for bench racers, all you need out on the track is repeatability. Same reading, day after day, is what makes a good instrument. It also helps to have a bleeder valve if you have specific targets (like one would on the track). I use a cheap little mechanical dial gauge that always reads the same, and may be off a few psi, but is always off the same amount.

 

Granted there's one big difference here - lack of feedback. When you're racing, you mark the sidewalls to see how the tread is reacting in the corners, and adjust pressure accordingly. You calibrate to your car's handling with that tire, so the actual pressure reading is immaterial (I raced at pressure readings from 24 psi to 44 psi in the same car and wheel size).

 

Not so here... we can't "see" load rating and any rolling resistance changes are in the noise. Thankfully, there's a lot of latitude; the OEM tire is rated at 1433 lb. @ 51 psi. Ford tells us to use 38 psi, where the tire's load capacity is no more than 1068lb. (load capacity varies with air contained, and thus pressure). Seems odd that this only supports a 4270 GVWR, while the vehicle's rating is not found in the owner's manual. Perhaps there's no latitude in ford's recommendation...

 

HAve fun,

Frank

 

PS it's simple to calibrate a gauge; that's why I don't worry about it.

[frbill]

I use a Porter-Cable Digital Pump (http://www.amazon.com/PORTER-CABLE-PCC583B-18-Volt-Inflator-Battery/dp/B005XGG5FA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1380737254&sr=8-2&keywords=porter+cable+pump) for at home, and 

an Accutire Digital Gauge (http://www.amazon.com/Accutire-MS-4021B-Digital-Pressure-Gauge/dp/B00080QHMM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1380737349&sr=8-2&keywords=gauge) when I am away from home.

 

I run my tires at 51 psi.

[boilermax]

I use the Accutire MS-4021B Standard Digital Tire Gauge.  It was top-rated at my favorite review site, http://www.consumersearch.com.

[xanotos]

Dumb question, if ford says 38, but tire can handle 51, why not the consistance between the two???

Running mine at 38, but can't stand the squeaking sound on the road when braking sometimes.

Didn't have that problem when I had them at 42psi.

Ok to go 45 psi or go to full 50?

Edited October 6, 2013 by xanotos

[obob]

Dumb question, if ford says 38, but tire can handle 51, why not the consistance between the two???

Running mine at 38, but can't stand the squeaking sound on the road when braking sometimes.

Didn't have that problem when I had them at 42psi.

Ok to go 45 psi or go to full 50?

 

I would not worry about what pressure the tire can handle.  The article implies tires can handle way more than the max pressure.

 

"3. A tire is in danger of bursting if pressure exceeds the "max press" number on the sidewall. 

The truth: The "max press" number has nothing to do with a tire's burst pressure. The "max press" and "max load" numbers indicate the pressure at which the tire will carry the maximum amount of weight. A new, quality tire will not pop at an even multiple of the "max press." I'm sworn to secrecy about the exact burst pressure, but I wouldn't hesitate to double the "max press" of any new passenger-vehicle tire on a new wheel. But hitting a big pothole at super-high pressures may cause a failure. "

 

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/repair/6-common-tire-myths-debunked-10031440

 

I think the article is worth a read.  I found "putting the best tires on the back" interesting.

Edited October 20, 2013 by obob

[Jus-A-CMax]

I use the Accutire MS-4021B Standard Digital Tire Gauge.  It was top-rated at my favorite review site, http://www.consumersearch.com.

 

It took me this long...but I went with this one too. Fleabayed it. I only wish they use a regular AAA battery instead the CR batt.

[Adair]

Question from the frozen Northland......is there any danger in increasing the tire pressure if I'm gonna be driving on snow and ice?

[Jus-A-CMax]

Great question, Frank answered the snow tires so I'll leave this to him for us regular tire folks...

 

For me, makes no difference when I was up in the snow with my higher PSI. Car handled great. Powder, slush and ice. It more about momentum control especially up grades and watching & avoiding the ice. No regular tire will grip in the sheet of ice...which is why they salt and throw the crushed "pebbles"

Edited December 18, 2013 by Jus-A-CMax

[Jus-A-CMax]

Bought one of these: ACCUTIRE Programmable Digital Tire Pressure Gauge LCD Display MS4021B 5-150PSI from Fleabay.

Jus got it tonight and I :flirt:  it. Simple, easy and accurate.

 

...but going back to my original Q, I'll answer it myself - neither was accurate. The cheapo was the worse, almost split it down the middle between the CMax pump gauge and the el cheapo. I am happy, this thing rocks!

 

PSI is 50 now. I need all the help I can get with the colder weather and all.