[2025 Guide] How to Use Tire Pressure Gauge​

Keeping your tires properly inflated not only optimizes your vehicle's overall performance but also ensures your safety on the road. Properly inflated tires last longer, provide quicker steering response, improve fuel efficiency, and offer a smoother ride. But how do you monitor tire pressure? A tire pressure gauge can give you an accurate reading. This blog will introduce the types of tire pressure gauges, explain how they work, and how to use tire pressure gauge, so you can drive with confidence.

How Does a Tire Pressure Gauge Work？

Tire pressure gauges work the same way as other pressure-measuring devices: They measure the force exerted by air in a specific area, usually expressed in pounds per square inch (PSI). When you attach a tire pressure gauge to the valve stem of a tire, it creates a sealed system. The air pressure inside the tire presses against the sensing element inside the gauge, causing it to move or deform. This movement or deformation is then translated into a pressure reading.

The way a tire pressure gauge displays pressure depends on different design types. Mechanical pressure gauges, such as Bourdon tubes or pencil gauges, rely on air pressure to move a physical component, which then translates the movement into a pressure reading on a scale. In contrast, digital pressure gauges use electronic sensors to convert air pressure into an electrical signal that is processed and displayed as a numerical value on an LCD screen. We'll delve deeper into how these different types of pressure gauges are used later in this article.

How to Use Tire Pressure Gauge?

There are 4 main types of tire pressure gauges on the market: Bourdon tube pressure gauges, diaphragm pressure gauges, digital pressure gauges, and pencil (or stick) pressure gauges. Each type has its unique features, advantages, disadvantages, and specific usage methods, which we will discuss in detail in the following sections.

Digital Pressure Gague

Digital pressure gauges are the most popular version on the market. They are easy to use, portable and have high-precision measurement. Some digital pressure gauges even have integrated tire inflation functions, so they are becoming more and more popular among users.

Digital pressure gauges use advanced electronic sensors, such as strain gauges or piezoelectric sensors, to accurately measure and display air pressure. When air pressure is applied, the sensor detects the force exerted on it and converts it into an electrical signal. This raw electrical signal cannot be read directly. A built-in microprocessor processes the signal, translating it into an accurate pressure value. The processed data is then displayed on an LCD or LED screen, showing the air pressure value in units like PSI, bar, or kPa, depending on the meter's settings or user preference.

Taking the AstroAI Model 250PSI-M digital tire pressure gauge as an example, I will focus on its pros & cons, and tell you how to use.

Pros

1. Advanced accuracy

2. Digital display

3. Extra features: AstroAI tire pressure gauge Includes an inflator, straight locking chuck, gauge, hose, and bleed valve, all in one unit with function of deflation, inflation, tire pressure check.

4. Easy to use

Cons

However, they are generally more expensive than mechanical tire pressure gauges and require batteries to operate, which can be a drawback for some users.

How to Use?

1. Connect the inflator gauge to an air compressor using the quick-connect air fitting.

2. Turn the inflator gauge on by pressing the Power / Unit button. Press it again to select the unit you would like tomeasure in. Press the Air Bleed Valve / Reset button to ensure the gauge is set to zero.

3. Use the chuck to connect to the tire valve by pressing the tire'svalve stem into the mouth of the chuck.The twist-on chuck will screw into the threadsof the tire's valve stem. For the locking chuck. press the trigger while placing it onto thevalve stem andreleaseit once there isa strong seal. lt should lock into place.

4. Fill by pressing the valve trigger until the desired pressureisreached.

2.2 Pencil or Stick Pressure Gauges

When you press the gauge's nozzle onto a tire’s valve stem, the air pressure from the tire enters the gauge through a small opening. This creates a sealed system. Inside the gauge, the air pressure pushes against a small piston connected to a calibrated, spring-loaded rod (the "stick"). As the air pressure moves the piston, the stick is forced outward from the gauge body. The stick has pre-marked measurement units (such as PSI or bar) along its length, allowing you to read the tire's pressure directly. Once the gauge is removed from the valve stem, the spring inside the device resets the stick back into the gauge body, ready for the next use.

Pencil or stick gauges are a simple, compact, and affordable way to measure tire pressure. As the name suggests, these gauges are designed to resemble a pencil.

Pros:

1. Compact and lightweight

2. Requires no batteries, it means no maintenance and total reliability under all weather conditions.

Cons:

1. May not be as precise as digital or dial gauges.

How to Use?

Step 1. Place the nozzle of the tire pressure gauge on the tire valve you wish to measure. Press it firmly down to ensure a good seal and prevent air from leaking.

Step 2. Hold the gauge on the valve untila seal has formed and the measurement has been taken. lt should only take a second if you have a good seal.

Step 3. Remove the gauge from the valve stem. To deflate, use the deflation stem on the opposite side of the nozzle head.

2.3 Bourdon Tube Pressure Gauges

Bourdon tube pressure gauge named after its French inventor, Eugène Bourdon, has been in existence for over 100 years in one form or another and remains today one of the most common pressure gauges available.

The heart of the Bourdon pressure gauge is the Bourdon tube. The Bourdon tube is made into a semicircular C-shape or coiled shape. One end of the tube is open to the atmosphere and the other end is sealed. Any increase in system pressure within the tube causes the tube to expand and straighten, a change that is small but amplified by the shape of the tube. The change in the radius of the C-shape or coil is transmitted to the indicating needle, and this movement allows the operator to visually view the pressure within the system.

Pros

1. Lower price

2. Durability and precision

Cons

1. Not easy to read the tire pressure

How to use

How to use

Step 1. Attach the gauge securely to the system or valve where the pressure needs to be measured. Then tighten the connection to avoid leaks.

Step 2. Gradually introduce pressure to the system. The Bourdon tube inside the gauge will flex in response to the pressure, moving the pointer on the dial.

Step 3. Observe the dial and note the pressure value displayed in the appropriate units (e.g., PSI, bar, kPa).

2.4 Diaphragm Pressure Gauges

A diaphragm pressure gauge is a specialized industrial pressure gauge in which a flexible diaphragm gives it several advantages over standard Bourdon tube pressure gauges and capsule pressure gauges, which rely on a diaphragm to react to changes in pressure.

Pros:

1. Compact and durable.

2. Ideal for providing accurate readings in the lower pressure ranges.

Cons

1. Readings may not be accurate in the higher pressure range

2. Not easy to read in dim lighting conditions

How to use?

Step 1. Securely connect the gauge to the system or valve port.

Step 2. Slowly introduce pressure and let the diaphragm deform to move the pointer.

Step 3. Note the pressure from the dial (e.g., PSI, bar, kPa).

Step 4. Safely release pressure before detaching the gauge.

Tips for Checking Tire Pressure

1. Please check tire pressure when the tires are cold to ensure the accuacy, as heat can cause tire pressure to increase. Tires are considered cold when the vehicle has been parked for three hours or more, or when the vehicle has been driven less than one mile (1.6 kilometers) at a moderate speed. Automakers specify pressures in PSI (literally "pounds per square inch") when tires are cold, with PSI being the unit that the pressure gauge uses to provide its reading.

2. It's recommended to check tire pressure at least once a month and before long trips.

3. Check the driver's door jamb or the owner's manual to find the recommended cold tire PSI for the front and rear tires. If you can't find it, consult your car dealer, manufacturer, or qualified tire professional. If the front and rear tires require different pressure levels, write down the correct PSI for each tire to avoid confusion when checking the vehicle's pressure.

4. If you need to adjust the inflation pressure while the tire is "hot," set it 4 psi (14 kPa) above the recommended cold inflation pressure. Recheck the inflation pressure when the tire is cold.

FAQs about Tire Pressure Gauge

1. Which is better, pencil or digital tire pressure gauge?

It depends on personal preference and usage needs. I recommend using a digital tire pressure gauge, as it is generally more accurate and easier to read, especially in low-light conditions.

2. What is the best psi to keep your tires at?

Most cars require a tire pressure of 30 to 35 psi, but some vehicles fall outside of that range, and each vehicle has specific requirements.

3. How do I know if my tire pressure gauge is accurate?

Most tire pressure gauges claim to be accurate within a certain range, usually +/- 1 PSI. Professional-grade gauges may offer higher accuracy. Regardless of the type, make sure your gauge is certified for accuracy.

4. How to choose the right tire pressure gauges?

1. Ensure that your gauge is certified for its accuracy and the gauge covers the pressure range needed for your vehicle.

2. The next thing to consider is the ease of use of the tire gauge. Can it be used with one hand? Is the pressure reading easy to read? Generally speaking, digital pressure gauges with larger, illuminated displays are easier to read.

3. Some tire gauges have more integrated features, including illuminated displays for reading in low-light conditions, tire inflators and deflation machines for easy pressure adjustment, and hoses for easier access to the valve stems.

4. The size and portability of a pressure gauge is also a factor to consider if you plan to keep it in your car. Stick-style pressure gauges are usually compact and easy to store, while some analog and digital pressure gauges can be bulky but offer more features.

Conclusion

Using a tire pressure gauge effectively is a crucial skill for drivers to ensure their vehicles are properly maintained. This article introduces 4 different types of tire pressure gauges and explains how to use them effectively. Additionally, checking your vehicle's tire pressure helps ensure safe driving and prevents premature tire wear caused by overinflation or underinflation.