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How Does it Work /
Tire Gauge
How a Tire Pressure Gauge Works
A tire pressure gauge is designed to check the air pressure inside the tires on
a vehicle. Correct tire pressure is essential for correct vehicle operation and
can improve mileage and performance as well. A tire gauge is constructed with a
small diaphragm that is attached to a measurement device. The style of gauge can
vary from digital to internal slide. A tire gauge is accurate to +/- 3 PSI, however
it is possible to buy more advanced models that are capable of determining the pressure
to as closely as +/- 1 PSI.
Tire Pressure Gauge
Some vehicles are designed with a built in tire pressure sensors. These sensors
are used to monitor the air pressure in all tires. If a tire has low air pressure
the vehicle will illuminate a warning light on the dash. Occasionally the monitoring
system will need recalibration, this procedure is different for every car. Consult
an online repair
manual for your specific instructions.
To use a tire gauge, remove the protective dust cap from the tire's valve stem,
then insert the tire gauge and press firmly. The gauge will read the pressure inside
the tire, add air as needed and recheck. Pressure readings will differ due to change
in temperature. Example: If tire pressure is 30 pounds @ 60 degrees it would be
about 35 pounds @ 90 degrees, about 5 pound for every 30 degrees. This is a rough
estimate because the volume of the tire determines the actual variance amount.
Store the tire gauge in a cool, dry place. To determine the proper amount of air
pressure for a particular tire consult the sidewall of the
tire.
Avoid dropping the air gauge, this can cause internal damage that could effect
the accuracy. Most gauges do not need calibration but higher quality gauges can
have a calibration kit included. You can reduce the maintenance and repair of your
vehicle by checking the
tire
pressure regularly. Proper tire pressure will help tires last longer and help the
gas mileage of the vehicle.
How Does it Work
/ Tire Gauge
Check Manufacturer Specific Tire Gauge
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