pianoman41

I've always been good about maintaining proper tire pressure in all my vehicles. I run my TL-S with OEM tires at 33 psi all around. About two months ago when the temperature started to drop, I went out and measured it with my $1.99 tire gauge I keep in my glove box. Tires were down to 26 psi, as they should be when the temperature drops. So I pulled out my compressor and added air to each one. It seemed like it took forever to add just a few pounds of air in each tire, so I assumed (wrongly) that something was up with my compressor. But I eventually got each tire up to 33 psi, according to my gauge.

I just got new tires (Dunlop Sport SP 5000s) for my wife's '97 Maxima and I checked the tire pressure after I got it back from the tire place and the tires were at 26 psi. I had to go to work but I explained to my wife how to use the compressor and told her to get them up to the proper pressure (33 front, 31 rear), using *her* tire gauge in her glove box (a more expensive, all-metal model). She calls me at work and says "why should I be adding air when the fronts are 38 psi and the backs are 40 psi?" I couldn't explain it, but I said if that was the case then let air out instead. So she took 5 psi out of the front and 9 psi out of the back. I get home from work, check the tires with my gauge and they're all at 26 psi again. I'm like WTF?!? So I tell her she let too much air out and she said no she didn't. I go out with *her* gauge and check the pressure--33 front, 31 rear. And then I started thinking how it took me so long to add just a few PSI, plus my ride had seemed really harsh recently and I concluded that my gauge must be faulty. I check my tires with her gauge--and I'm like "Holy Crap!!" First tire is OFF THE SCALE, and the gauge tops out at 50psi!!! I start bleeding out air like crazy and it is still reading over 50. Finally I get it down to 33. All four tires were well over 50psi (I'm guessing between 55-60 psi based on how long it took me to bleed air out to get down to where the gauge would give a reading of 50 or less). And I drove that way for a couple of months!! No wonder the ride had been so harsh--I thought the struts might be going. How I didn't blow a tire is beyond me.

I've since gone out and bought a new gauge (all-metal) that works just fine. Moral of the story: don't buy those cheap-a$$ plastic tire pressure gauges they sell at the checkout at the auto parts store. Spend an extra $5 and get a metal one.

ShaguraTL

From my experience, the tire pressure guages that are like a round dial tend to be more accurate than those cheap little pen type guages. Also, try not to get a guage that handles a large range of PSI. I spent about $15 for mine. I don't have a problem paying a bit more for something that's more accurate and will last. Has anyone had any experience with the accuracy of those digital guages? I haven't tried them and was wondering about accuracy.

fsttyms1

i bought a nice digital one that is sooo nice, and it has a light on it so you can see the valve stem in the dark and the screen is backlit to read it at night

Gilgamesh

I've got a digital one but its plastic, it seems to get the job done...that backlit one sounds nice though...what store carries that? Pep Boys, AutoZone?

ShaguraTL

Have you tested the accuracy of those digitals? I'm a guy, I'm always interested in gadgets....but I won't get a gadget if it's not accurate.

fsttyms1

im not sure where it came from. a couple friends and i exchanged x-mas gifts and i got it as a gift. i have tested it with acouple other guages and it is right on the money. it has decmial point accuracy

ShaguraTL

That sounds pretty nice. What brand is it? I may go give it a try.