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Tire Pressure Gauges - A Useful Device To Keep Tires In Great Shape

By: Phil Zertisky

Anyone who owns a car should also own a tire pressure gauge. Tire pressure gauges are used to measure the air pressure that is in each tire. It is useful for any type of tires from bicycles all the way to pickup trucks.
Pressure gauges come in several different styles. The one most used is a slide gauge that kind of looks like a pencil with a small ball at the top. The ball is a piston that connects to the valve of the tire. Inside the long cylindrical part is a sliding stick with numbers on it and a spring. The spring pops the slide out so you can see what kind of pressure is inside the tire. Other pressure gauges have a face like a clock with a dial that points to the amount of pressure. Newer gauges are digital and show the pressure on a small LED screen.
You do not have to be a rocket scientist to use a pressure gauge. Look at the tire of your vehicle and you will see a little stem or valve coming from the side of it. Normally there is a cap on that stem that will just screw off. Take the cap off and insert the piston of the gauge and press. You will hear a little hissing sound and once you do hear it remove the gauge to see what pressure is in the tire. Always check tires prior to running the car. The reading will be more accurate that way.
Not every tire takes the same amount of pressure. It often depends on the tire size and how heavy the vehicle is. You can find requirements on a sticker that is usually yellow in color and placed in the door jam of the car door on the side of the driver. Sometimes pressure requirements are printed right on the tire on the side wall. Other places manufacturers hide the sticker is under the door for the fueling area and in the glove compartment. PSI is the increment in which air pressure is measured. It means pounds per square inch. Most car tires take about 30 to 40 pounds each tire.
Tires that are under inflated can cause tires to get old very fast and you will also find the car uses much more fuel. Tires that are over inflated are a danger to you and everyone else on the road as they can cause the tire to blow out while driving. Many people intentionally under inflate tires during the winter months. They feel that this keeps the vehicle from sliding on snow and ice.
Keep your gauge in a dry and cool place. The glove box is a good place to keep it so it is handy. Never drop a gauge because this can damage the measuring mechanism and you will no longer get a good reading. In general a tire gauge is not in need of calibration so their readings are only close to accurate. There are those that can be calibrated but they cost a lot more money.
Air pressure should be checked in tires on a regular basis because tires loose a little bit of pressure every day they are used. In winter, because of lower outdoor temperatures and because of pot holes in the road, air pressure can diminish anywhere from 1 to 2 pounds of pressure per month. When it is hot outside they go down more. Some people check tires with a gauge every time they fuel up the car. That might be a little too much checking. Suffice it to say that checking every three to four weeks will keep your tires in tip top condition and at the correct tire pressure.
Get a $1 tire pressure gauge in stores that sell everything for a dollar. They are somewhat accurate. You can also go to an automotive store and purchase the digital type for $25. Tire gauges do not cost a great deal of money but they can save you a great deal of trouble and money by keeping tires in good condition extending their lives and saving you money on fuel.

Article Source: http://www.articlefinder.org

Be safe while driving by using tire pressure gauges. Checking your tires is suggested to keep the perfect amount of air in them. Purchasing your tire pressure gauge now is easy. Go online now!

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