Tire Pressure Accuracy
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,842
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From: SANTA CRUZ CA
Tire Pressure Accuracy
Several searches without finding an answer.
I'm questioning the tolerance factor in the tire sensors vs. the accuracy of tire gages (dash reading). I have compared my gage (below) to a gage at Big O Tires, and they were comparable within 1/2 lb. Both gages were analog, which made a scientific comparison "iffy".
The gage shown registers 33 lbs. as tire pressure, while the dash reading registers 30 lbs. Is a tolerance/variance of 3 lbs. acceptable?
I'm questioning the tolerance factor in the tire sensors vs. the accuracy of tire gages (dash reading). I have compared my gage (below) to a gage at Big O Tires, and they were comparable within 1/2 lb. Both gages were analog, which made a scientific comparison "iffy".
The gage shown registers 33 lbs. as tire pressure, while the dash reading registers 30 lbs. Is a tolerance/variance of 3 lbs. acceptable?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Not on either liberal coast.
I don't have TPS on my Z16, but I do in our daily drivers (Tahoe and Silverado). Both of those consistently show lower on the DIC than shown on either a digital or analog gauge (my preference). I'm not sure if there's a manner to calibrate them to higher accuracy or not.
The 3# variance might be enough to trip the DIC warning. Occasionally, I've gotten the DIC message to "check tire pressure" which is later followed by an ONSTAR e-mail warning a tire pressure is low. I know it's not the case since I check the air pressure regularly, especially during the winter months.
The 3# variance might be enough to trip the DIC warning. Occasionally, I've gotten the DIC message to "check tire pressure" which is later followed by an ONSTAR e-mail warning a tire pressure is low. I know it's not the case since I check the air pressure regularly, especially during the winter months.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 230
From: SANTA CRUZ CA
pressure
Thanks for the response. I didn't even consider the 'warning' light as the tire pressure always increases about 4 # when heated.
I have more confidence now that your DIC is reading at a lower pressure level than your analog gage. So far, the score is 2 - 0 in favor of the analog gage reading higher than the DIC.
I have more confidence now that your DIC is reading at a lower pressure level than your analog gage. So far, the score is 2 - 0 in favor of the analog gage reading higher than the DIC.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 230
From: SANTA CRUZ CA
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 230
From: SANTA CRUZ CA
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 230
From: SANTA CRUZ CA
pressure
From the net:
"TPMS are activated by motion. They have a real battery.
They also stay energized for a while after you stop. TPMS takes traveling at 40mph plus for several miles after air fill before it reads accurate..
It isn't designed to be used to gauge air pressure when filling, it's designed for movement pressure to alert you of a potential problem.."
Just learned something............
"TPMS are activated by motion. They have a real battery.
They also stay energized for a while after you stop. TPMS takes traveling at 40mph plus for several miles after air fill before it reads accurate..
It isn't designed to be used to gauge air pressure when filling, it's designed for movement pressure to alert you of a potential problem.."
Just learned something............
Last edited by don hall; Jul 7, 2011 at 03:32 PM.
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Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: SANTA CRUZ CA
My pressure gage reads 3# higher than the TPMS on 'cold' tires. I will take a reading when stopped after the tires are heated, and compare again. Maybe someone has already done this comparison.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: San Francisco CA
As posted above, the TPM needs to be energized by movement to provide an accurate reading. (Confirmation required.)
My pressure gage reads 3# higher than the TPMS on 'cold' tires. I will take a reading when stopped after the tires are heated, and compare again. Maybe someone has already done this comparison.
My pressure gage reads 3# higher than the TPMS on 'cold' tires. I will take a reading when stopped after the tires are heated, and compare again. Maybe someone has already done this comparison.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: North Carolina
I set the pressure by the digital gauges, 30 psi cold and check pressure about once every two weeks. I let the TPMS do the ALERT work if they run low.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
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From: SANTA CRUZ CA
I have two digital gauges that read exactly the same. One analog gauge that I'd peg at less than one pound lower than the two digitals.
I set the pressure by the digital gauges, 30 psi cold and check pressure about once every two weeks. I let the TPMS do the ALERT work if they run low.
I set the pressure by the digital gauges, 30 psi cold and check pressure about once every two weeks. I let the TPMS do the ALERT work if they run low.
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My TPS reads consistently about 1-2 lbs less than my digital tire gauge. I'm willing to accept that difference.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: SANTA CRUZ CA
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 230
From: SANTA CRUZ CA
