Every motorist should have a manometer - this device measures the pressure in the tires of the car. Using pressure gauge data, the driver learns, you need to pump up the wheels. Many novice motorists believe, that using this device is very easy. In fact, using a pressure gauge, you need to be extremely careful and attentive.
Types of manometers, measuring tire pressure
The car market offers modern drivers several types of pressure gauges. Deciding, which device to buy, consider your driving experience, amount, which you are willing to spend on the purchase, and requirements, offered by you to the manometer:
- Mechanical manometer. This is the type of device, which is chosen by the vast majority of motorists. The reason for the popularity of the pressure gauge is its simple design and maximum reliability - thanks to this, even a novice driver can easily understand his instructions.. For, to find out the tire pressure level, you just need to look at the dial scales. exept this, it is the cheapest device of all manometers. The disadvantages of the mechanical device are the sensitivity to moisture and the need to check the measurements. Besides, you will need to spend time measuring the pressure on all four wheels. Some pressure gauges are equipped with a special valve for lowering the air. This allows you to normalize the pressure reading, if you accidentally inflate the wheel. Before starting the car, do not forget to carry out control measurement;
Tire pressure gauge
- Rail manometer. Such devices are chosen by motorists, who value reliability and ease of use. Besides, rail manometers are affordable. The disadvantage of this device is the increased fragility;
Rail manometer
- Electronic manometer. The popularity of such devices is growing by the day, and by years. The reason for this lies in the simple operation in a wide range of measurements. This increases the accuracy of indicators, and the possibility of an accident is significantly reduced. Besides, the digital manometer has a longer service life, due to which its value is justified.
Electronic manometer
By the way, in addition to the standard tire pressure measurement, many electronic pressure gauges have a number of additional features - this makes them even more attractive to car owners. Unfortunately, even such, it would seem, ideal devices have a disadvantage - they can not be used in cold weather. The point is, that when the thermometer bar drops below zero, the numbers on the pressure gauge board may differ significantly from the actual tire pressure. Because of this motorists, who chose a digital device, it is necessary to have in a glove compartment at least one more manometer of other type.
Keep in mind, that due to the different device the principle of operation of different types of manometers differs significantly. Because of this, on the same car, a mechanical device and a digital pressure gauge can show different values. Novice motorists are often afraid of such discrepancies in numbers. In fact, there is nothing wrong with that. Of course, the most correct level of pressure in tires shows the device with the exact mechanism.
What do you need a manometer for?
Some novice motorists do not understand, why carry a digital glove compartment, rail or mechanical device for measuring tire pressure. They believe, that a small deviation from the norm of pressure will not lead to anything bad, and from an hour, spent on measuring indicators, it is better to devote to something useful. Actually, this is a serious mistake, and if you hold that view, then you risk not only the serviceability of your car, but also their own lives. Very high tire pressures can have such consequences:
- Decreased driver and passenger comfort. When the damping properties of the car's chassis are greatly reduced, then all people, which are inside the cabin, feel every pothole on the road. This is why, that vibrations are transmitted to all elements of the car body;
- Reduced wear resistance of the central part of the tires. Those drivers, which are specially pumped rubber or do not monitor the pressure level, change tires much more often than motorists, handle transport carefully. It happens because of that, that the central part of the tread wears out faster;
- Tire damage. If digital, mechanical or rail manometer shows a very high level of pressure, then the tire can be easily damaged even when hitting a small hill. That's the whole point, that increased tire pressure increases the load. Given that, which roads we have to drive, any additional impact from the outside can break or crack even the best rubber;
- Deterioration of management. We remember from the physics course, that the increase in pressure leads to high resistance of the car's weight tires. As a result, the point of contact is significantly reduced - and the controllability of transport is seriously impaired;
- Suspension damage. We have already talked about that, that pumping tires affects the damping properties of car wheels. Due to this, the load on the suspension reaches a maximum level, and its elements begin to wear out quickly.
Bituminous mastic for cars
Influence of tire pressure on tire wear
Many drivers know, that low tire pressure is even more dangerous than inflated. Too low a level can lead to such consequences:
- Deformation of the tire. Low pressure strongly distorts the tire, which may cause the product to rupture. If you like to do sharp maneuvers on the road and love high speed, then the probability of an accident greatly increases;
- Tire heating. In the warm season, increasing the spot of contact with the asphalt often leads to overheating of the tire. Due to this, the tire frame is destroyed and the possibility of damage to the tires increases;
- Wear of shoulder areas. Because of that, that car tires are severely deformed, the maximum load falls on the sides of the projector. As a result, the driver has to change the "shoulders" of the car more often;
- Probability of aquaplaning. Because of that, increasing contact area, the risk of passing puddles increases. The car loses control due to that, that the tire almost slides on the water surface;
- Danger of dismantling. At low pressure, the tire does not hold well on the metal disc. Because of this, any abrupt maneuver can cause the tires to dismantle. As a result, the driver may lose control of the vehicle;
- Increasing fuel consumption. Due to the increase of the contact spot with the road, the resistance during movement increases. The result is an increase in fuel volume, consumed by the engine. Usually, this figure increases by three to five percent per month. Not every motorist will want to spend that amount on gasoline, so it is much wiser to buy digital, rail or arrow manometer for regular pressure measurement.
Fuel consumption at low tire pressure
How to measure tire pressure
Even a novice motorist can measure tire pressure - it's a simple task, which does not require special skills and specific knowledge:
- Choose that pressure gauge, which is best for your car;
- Secure the electronic or mechanical device to the tire chamber;
- Make sure, that the tire pressure level is within normal limits. If the figures are overestimated or underestimated, take action.
Tips for using a pressure gauge
Even the most expensive and high-quality manometer will not do any good, if you do not know how to use it properly. It does not matter, digital, mechanical or rail device you are using. For, that the purchase of a manometer was justified, pay attention to our recommendations:
- The pressure level must be measured before each trip. If you do not have such an opportunity, check the indicators, at least once every ten days. The process of measuring tire pressure will take you a few minutes. Remember, which is better to spend this time, than then pay for repairs;
- Measurements should only be made with cold tires. That's the whole point, that the heated rubber distorts the pressure values by at least ten percent. This is due to the length of the route and driving style;
- If you use a pressure gauge on the road, and the device shows reduced pressure, then inflate the tire ten percent more than the recommended size. Do not forget to re-measure after the tires have cooled down;
- It is not necessary to measure the pressure level immediately after the trip. The car should stand still for three to four hours. Otherwise digital, a rail or mechanical device will show an incorrect result, and in the process of measuring the pressure will not make any sense.