Whats more accurate...?

[dakotanut]

Is the TPMS numbers on the dash more accurate or the tire pressure gauge?

 

[rzr6-4]

By "the tire pressure gauge" I assume you are referring you to an actual physical gauge that you push onto the valve stem the measure the pressure? As opposed to the electronic sensors that are known for being flaky?

I think you know where I stand here already.

 

[mrack]

Nobody here can tell you that because there are good gauges and bad gauges, and good gauges that go bad. The question is, is your gauge accurate.

 

[jejb]

For my truck, they are within a couple of pounds, on both the truck and trailer.

 

[2012RAM1500RT]

If I was concerned enough I'd buy 2 of the small digital gauges and compare them to each other and then see if the TPMS numbers agree. In the end the TPMS numbers are going to win because that's what's going to control the light on the dash.

 

[Badger 13]

I'll stick with a quality tire pressure gauge over the TPMS. Here is a good test on tire pressure gauges from "Project Farm".

Finally! An Accurate Tire Pressure Gauge!

JACO, Milton, Merlin, Tiretek, Etenwolf, Longacre, Dewalt, UNCO, Joe’s Racing, Rhino USA, Accu-Gage, AstroAI, Slime, Campbell Hausfeld, Pittsburgh, Vondoir, ...

www.youtube.com

 

[KeithP]

I have a digital pressure gauge that measures in 0.5lbs increments. The TPMS rounds off to the nearest pound. Taking that into consideration, the TPMS on my truck is reasonably close.

 

[DanAR]

My TPS reads 1 psi off of my digital gauge. I’m guessing my digital gauge is accurate but who knows. That’s close enough.

 

[brian42]

The TPMS on my '19 was pretty accurate (within 1 psi of my mechanical gauge).

My Accu-Gage is fairly accurate and will be close enough to where I want when I set the tire pressures.

The most important part for me is consistency. I may not have the most accurate gauge but I use the same gauge for all the tires so when I set the pressure it may not be exactly the pressure I want but it's the same pressure on both sides of the truck.

I use the TPMS more as a monitor for a difference in pressure between the sides (possible leak) or when they are all getting low and I need to pump them up (over time or when there's a big swing in weather and outside temperature jumps up or down).

 

[dakotanut]

By "the tire pressure gauge" I assume you are referring you to an actual physical gauge that you push onto the valve stem the measure the pressure? As opposed to the electronic sensors that are known for being flaky?

I think you know where I stand here already.

Yes. The one you put on the stem. FFS.

 

[mikeru]

Yes. The one you put on the stem. FFS.

His question seemed valid to me with the way you worded it. Try not to take offense when someone tries to clarify something you post.

 

[Kygolfer]

Just kick your tires and see how they feel.

 

[StateOfMind]

I've got 2 Jaco inflators with pressure gauges. The reason I have 2 is that my first was not matching the TPMS readings. My 2 Jacos match each other. To verify, I had a couple heavy mechanics check using their gauges. Turns out, both my Jacos read about 2 PSI short, and the TPMS was off by 2 the other direction. Now I watch the dash, then check with inflator weekly, and average. 12k on new Toyos, tire wear is perfectly even across tread, so it must be working

 

[Dusty]

The service manual and I believe the owners manual says do not use the TPMS values to set the tire pressure. As already noted, TPMS values are rounded.

Unfortunately, I have four tire pressure gauges and none of them read the same.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 119243 miles.

 

[JayLeonard]

Unfortunately, I have four tire pressure gauges and none of them read the same.

Regards,

Ther’s an old saying “ a man with 2 watches never knows what time it really is”.

I think it applies here. LOL

 

[Ondgas]

Pick one that’s closest and go with it. I’ve put 3 gauges on a tire and got 3 different readings. Make them all even. It’ll change a mile down the road and with temp change. Don’t over think it. You’re not doing 200 mph at Daytona.

 

[Andrei20]

Is the TPMS numbers on the dash more accurate or the tire pressure gauge?

Here's a story from my experience as a heavy equipment technician. I worked for 9 years as a technician for Finning, Caterpillar oficial dealer. One time, just out of curiosity I decided to compare some pressure gauges between each other. I had about a dozen mechanical gauges and a set of digital gauges. I was calibrating the torque converter lockup clutch on a Cat 797B. The pressure at the modulating valve is adjusted by changing the current to the solenoid through a laptop, having a pressure gauge connected to valve. The pressure should be 300 psi.
So I adjusted the pressure using a digital gauge, set the current , repeated the procedure of turning the solenoid on and off a few times, making sure the pressure is stable, then i was just swapping the mechanical gauges and was watching which gauge shows what. Out of about a dozen gauges that I was thinking were accurate, only three, or four were bang on at 300 psi. Other showed different values, as far as 270 and 310 psi. The pressure gauges were of Caterpillar brand, all received from the company tool crib, never been overpressured, dropped, or anything else, stored in a soft box, that won't let the rattle around. I am pretty careful with my tools, all organized and clean. (OCD level a bit elevated Of course I discarded the inaccurate mechanical gauges and kept the accurate ones.
So, my point about this, use one gauge to set all four wheels, it doesn't matter if it's different from what your cluster shows, as long as left and right wheel on the same axle shows the same on the same mechanical or digital gauge at the same tire temperature.

 

[Hardracer]

I have a digital and i must have about 5 diff.mechanical gauges...all are within 1 psi or so with the tpms...close enough for me.hell 5 pds would be close enough for me.
To be honest I check my lawnmower more than my truck.....cant be havin no tilting lawnmower now....lol
Found out the hard way on that 1 after about 6 strips.yard just didn't look right...thought my right blade(there's 3) was bent...nope,mower leaning...doh!

 

[CanuckRam1313]

I bought a MAC Tools mechanical tire pressure gauge years ago and have taken great care of it.
It's accurate as all heck and I check & correct my tires (cold) once a month. I'm a nerd like that..lol.

I use my EVIC tire pressure display as a tool to see where things are at, but hold no full hope that it's accurate overall.