All tires need a certain amount of pressure to operate properly. This is usually prescribed by the car manufacturer. Under normal conditions, it is possible to maintain a constant air pressure inside the tire, as long as there are no defects in the tire and the external weather conditions do not change...
A tire pressure gauge is a device that can measure the air pressure inside a tire. Damaged, old, or worn out tires tend to lose their air pressure fairly quickly. Therefore, investing in a tire pressure gauge is a great way to make sure that you always have the optimum air pressure in your tires.
Setting the correct tire pressure is virtually a science. While the recommended factory settings will work out great for normal day-to-day driving, in more competitive conditions, improper tire pressure can have wide ramifications. In most competitive motorsports, for example, a lot of attention is given to the air pressure in the tires at any point during a race as the tire pressure can have a significant impact on the vehicle's performance and fuel efficiency.
A digital tire pressure gauge consists of a digital readout (i.e., LCD screen), at one end, and a valve that matches the tire valve at the other end. When it is placed over the tire valve, the air inside the tire exerts a force on the device. This force is converted into a numerical value and displayed on the screen.
Digital tire pressure gauges tend to be very accurate. The error range in some models is as low as +-0.05 psi over a range of 5-150 psi. While these can be fairly expensive, investing in one can save you a lot of money over the long run as your car's performance and fuel efficiency, not to mention tire life span, will improve significantly if you maintain the optimum tire pressure as recommended by your car manufacturer.
Digital tire pressure gauges tend to come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Because of their digital nature, they can be molded into any shape. When you're out shopping for one, make sure to get something that is ergonomically designed and is easy to handle and use. If you have poor eyesight, get something that has a large LCD screen with clearly visible readings. It is also wise to go for a model with a backlight, as you might have to use the device in the dark or in bad weather conditions.
A battery powered pressure gauge is recommended over one that is powered by an electrical unit as you can toss the battery powered device into your trunk and use it outside your garage. Always remember to keep an extra set of batteries handy.
A true auto-enthusiast might want to go for a model that will allow him to connect it to the air compressor valve and the tire valve simultaneously. This will let you adjust the tire pressure as you read it, saving you oodles of time and effort.
There is a wide variety of models when it comes to picking a digital tire pressure gauge. You shouldn't go over the top and pick up a fancy $200 model. Just get something that is within your budget and is accurate enough for your needs.
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