Valve-Loc Portable All-Purpose Tire Pressure Gauge, 2-Pack

If you’ve ever had a flat tire or, worse, a tire blowout, you know how important it is to have healthy tires on your car. But even brand-new tires will eventually need attention. In fact, experts estimate that tires lose about one PSI of air pressure every month after filling them. The drop is even more noticeable in the wintertime, when the numbers can fluctuate from one day to the next.

But even if your vehicle lets you know when your tires are low, you shouldn’t rely on that measurement. It’s great for letting you know when there’s a situation that needs attention, but it’s not guaranteed to alert you when your tires are dangerously low every time. For that, you’ll need to keep an eye on your air pressure using something called a tire pressure gauge.

Most tire pressure gauges are small enough to store in your glove compartment, where you can keep them safely stored between uses. Keep in mind that some gauges require batteries. You may find yourself ready to do your monthly check, only to find you have to make a stop by a store to pick up a battery.

There are some telltale signs that your tire pressure may be lower than it should be. One is a spongy drive, which is hard to describe until you feel it. As your tire begins to flatten, though, more of its surface area comes in direct contact with the road, which can make it feel as though your wheels aren’t as solid as they once were.

When you hit a bump or ridge in the road, pay extra attention if the shock seems to jolt your car more than usual. As your tires start to deflate, the lack of air reduces the cushion your tires provide for those hits. You’ll notice your car doesn’t handle those road defects as well as it did when the tires were full.

• Your tire pressure plays a direct role in the performance of your vehicle. Not only does a well-inflated tire ride smoother, but it also keeps your gas mileage low. As air depletes, more of your tire touches the road, slowing you down and forcing you to use more fuel to compensate. Low tire pressure can also eventually push your car out of alignment.
• The desired tire pressure varies from one vehicle to another, but newer cars require between 32 and 35 PSI. The exact recommended tire pressure for your vehicle will be listed on a sticker on the door. You should check your tires after your car has been sitting idle for a while to get the most accurate reading.
• The first thing to consider is whether you want your tire gauge’s readout to be digital or analog. Analog is often simpler to use and doesn’t require batteries, but digital readouts often come with backlit screens, which is handy if you ever need to check your tire pressure in a dimly-lit area.
• If your gauge’s screen is backlit, check the power it consumes. You may find you’re going through more batteries than you expected. Some screens automatically power off after a certain timeframe.
• Some tire gauges don’t just check the air pressure. They also include a compressor that fills your tires back up when they’re low. You’ll be able to monitor the gauge as the air flows through the hose to make sure you’re getting exactly the air pressure you need.
• Air pressure gauges are built to detect a range. Some can go as high as 200 PSI. If you plan to be checking tires on vehicles, bicycles, motorcycles and other items, pay attention to the recommended PSI on each and make sure you get a gauge that can measure up to that point.