Different Tyre pressure readings at different garages

[Ecco]

I suspected a slow puncture on one of my tyres and over a couple of days regularly checked the tyre pressure of all my tyres first thing in the morning.

I tested at a couple of garages all in close proximity to where i was at the time.

Each garage had different readings for my tyres, and it wasn't that all were loosing pressure, in 2 instances the guys claimed the tyres were over inflated 3 bars instead of 2.6

This is scary. How are these tyre pressure machines regulated or checked? It could be putting lives at risk.

 

[Sinbad]

I suspected a slow puncture on one of my tyres and over a couple of days regularly checked the tyre pressure of all my tyres first thing in the morning.

I tested at a couple of garages all in close proximity to where i was at the time.

Each garage had different readings for my tyres, and it wasn't that all were loosing pressure, in 2 instances the guys claimed the tyres were over inflated 3 bars instead of 2.6

This is scary. How do are these tyre pressure machines regulated or checked? It could be putting lives at risk.

Hah. They're not.
Get your own tyre pressure gauge. But also, remember that the temperature of your tyre affects the reading...

 

[Ho3n3r]

There are 4 garages within 1.4KM of each other in Jean Avenue in Centurion. You'd laugh if you see the disparity in readings I get between the 4.

 

[Ecco]

Hah. They're not.
Get your own tyre pressure gauge. But also, remember that the temperature of your tyre affects the reading...

I could get my own, but what about the couple other million drivers on the road?

I checked the pressure in the morning, temperature difference from one day to the next was negligable.

PS - do you have your own pressure gauge? Where can i buy one?

 

[Ecco]

There are 4 garages within a KM of each other in Jean Avenue in Centurion. You'd laugh if you see the disparity in readings I get between the 4.

Its crazy mate - one claimed my tyres were overinflated from 2.6 to 3.0 bars. Its dangerous to be driving long haul with tyres at the wrong pressure.

 

[Sinbad]

I could get my own, but what about the couple other million drivers on the road?

I checked the pressure in the morning, temperature difference from one day to the next was negligable.

PS - do you have your own pressure gauge? Where can i buy one?

My car has a compressor instead of a spare wheel, it has the gauge built in

You can probably get one from any midas/autozone

 

[Ho3n3r]

My car has a compressor instead of a spare wheel, it has the gauge built in

You can probably get one from any midas/autozone

Doubt if they'd be any better than the ones at the garages.

 

[atomcrusher]

PS - do you have your own pressure gauge? Where can i buy one?

Midas, or a store like Macro, or any motor-spares shop

Also see here: http://www.pricecheck.co.za/search?search=Tyre+Pressure+Gauge

 

[Sinbad]

Doubt if they'd be any better than the ones at the garages.

Disagree. It won't be abused, dropped and OLD like the ones at the garages.

 

[Ho3n3r]

Disagree. It won't be abused, dropped and OLD like the ones at the garages.

Disagree. Midas and Autozone sell mostly cheap ****. For example, bought 2 wheelspanners in the last 3 years there that broke on the first wheel I turned them on.

 

[Ecco]

I will look out for one - but its still a problem for most drivers

 

[SauRoNZA]

Always use your own.

Midas, Makro probably Game and Builders all have them.

Even better just buy the whole pump for home use.

Makro have a decent Motoquip one for cheap.

 

[SauRoNZA]

I will look out for one - but its still a problem for most drivers

Actually "most" drivers never check their tyres, oil or water levels until something is obviously wrong.

 

[Ho3n3r]

Actually "most" drivers never check their tyres, oil or water levels until something is obviously wrong.

Or maybe "they don't obviously know that something is wrong" because the measurements are off, or the person checking their oil and water at the petrol stations don't check it properly.

PS: I check my oil and fuel levels myself. I'm speaking of the general public.

 

[SauRoNZA]

Or maybe "they don't obviously know that something is wrong" because the measurements are off, or the person checking their oil and water at the petrol stations don't check it properly.

Most of those don't know what they are doing. Never ever trust them especially when it comes to filling up (or rather overfilling) your oil.

PS: I check my oil and fuel levels myself. I'm speaking of the general public.

That's the way it should be.


What OP discovered today is someone everyone who really cares about their stuff has known for years and have compensated for appropriately.

The rest of them simply don't care and don't even know what their tyre pressures should be.

It's a "nice to have" offered by the garages and that's why it's not regulated. They don't even have to do it if they don't want to.

 

[Ho3n3r]

Most of those don't know what they are doing. Never ever trust them especially when it comes to filling up (or rather overfilling) your oil.



That's the way it should be.


What OP discovered today is someone everyone who really cares about their stuff has known for years and have compensated for appropriately.

The rest of them simply don't care and don't even know what their tyre pressures should be.

It's a "nice to have" offered by the garages and that's why it's not regulated. They don't even have to do it if they don't want to.

Agreed.

And obviously I meant oil and water levels.

I can never imagine my gran knowing what she's doing when measuring those things. She is fully reliant on them doing it, always has been.

 

[SauRoNZA]

At least my bike has tyre pressure monitors so it's less of a pain.

 

[cr@zydude]

Most of those don't know what they are doing. Never ever trust them especially when it comes to filling up (or rather overfilling) your oil.



That's the way it should be.

I learned this very costly lesson 2 weeks ago. The petrol jockey put the dipstick into a random spot. So far the repair bill is at R3 000 and counting. Never again.

 

[pecano]

Having your own one doesn't mean it will be accurate but at least the gauge is a consistent factor.

 

[Jet-Fighter7700]

I learned this very costly lesson 2 weeks ago. The petrol jockey put the dipstick into a random spot. So far the repair bill is at R3 000 and counting. Never again.

Also never ever sit in the car and let the guy pump petrol for you,
Asking for trouble,
Guy could very easily fill a 1litre cooldrink bottle on your dime,
Seen it happen too many times,