Car tyre pressure/tread depth gauge accuracy

egyptiancotton

There's a decent digital unit in Halfords: http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_786151_langId_-1_categoryId_255241

Or there's the old fashioned pencil gauge and analogue tread depth gauge: http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_566825_langId_-1_categoryId_255241

I've heard that the pencil gauges are good and last for years. Apart from the very minor difference in price, which one would you go for?

Horizon81

I own the top one which i use for checking the pressure. I don't use the electronic depth indicator on it though - I've got a simple analogue tread depth guage as in the second link.

It's too difficult to get the depth guage on the digital guage to sit flat on the tyre to take a reading, whereas the old style one works well.

egyptiancotton

Horizon81 wrote: »

It's too difficult to get the depth gauge on the digital gauge to sit flat on the tyre to take a reading, whereas the old style one works well.

Are you referring to the Halfords digital gauge in the first link?

oldagetraveller

Get yourself one of these. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=291051367674&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en

I've had mine since the late 1960's. No battery to change, simple and well made. As to accuracy, no idea, but it has to be as good as modern offerings?

molerat

I still use a PCL stick gauge from the 70s. I have had it checked on a calibration rig and it is still spot on.

Horizon81

lloydyyy wrote: »

Are you referring to the Halfords digital gauge in the first link?

Yes. I use a combination of digital for the tyre pressue and analogue for the tread depth. Personal preference.

I like digital pressure guage as using a footpump always results in one or two PSI over, so I can check it and adjust it down quickly and accurately with the digital guage.

As for tread depth, I put the digi depth guage into the new tread on a new tyre and struggled to get it to read 8mm (it was reading 7.x) yet I tried the same with a good old fashioned depth guage and it was straight on the 8mm. If you only want to buy one though, then go for the digital option - I suppose it's no bad thing that the depth guage underreads.

Ultrasonic

oldagetraveller wrote: »

As to accuracy, no idea, but it has to be as good as modern offerings?

Why does it? I've no idea either way but modern doesn't have to mean less accurate. Digital watches are more accurate than old wind up ones.

[Deleted User]

But don't you lose a bit of air every time you check pressures...?

egyptiancotton

Deleted_User wrote: »

But don't you lose a bit of air every time you check pressures...?

I fill the tyres with air so that the pressure gauge reads ever so slightly over the reading I want. When I release the gauge from the valve, I know I'm sitting roughly on the mark I want