How to Read the Digital Tire Pressure Gauge on a Car Air Pump?
2 Answers
How to read the values on a car air pump: First, check the unit. If it's BAR, inflate to 2.4 or 2.8; if it's PSI, inflate to 35-40; if it's KPA, inflate to 240-280. There is an M button for settings—set the preset value, then start inflating. The pump will stop automatically when the preset value is reached. If there is no preset function, inflate directly while monitoring the value and stop when the desired pressure is reached. Some gauges have a red line between 2-3, which indicates the normal tire pressure range for most vehicles. You can stop when the pointer reaches the middle of this range, though this method is less precise compared to setting a numerical value. According to the international GBT2978-2008 standard, the recommended tire pressures are as follows: Standard tires: 2.4-2.5bar; Reinforced tires: 2.8-2.9bar; Maximum pressure: should not exceed 3.5bar.
I've just figured out how to use the digital pressure gauge on my car tire inflator recently, so let me share some tips. Before using it, you need to start the inflator by plugging it into the cigarette lighter or connecting it to the car battery, then wait for it to start humming. Attach the inflation nozzle to the tire valve stem and tighten it properly, otherwise air leakage will ruin your effort. The digital gauge will immediately display the current tire pressure - don't rush to inflate yet, first note down this number. If the numbers keep jumping unstably, there might be a tire leak or the nozzle isn't tight enough. Setting the target value is crucial; I usually refer to the recommended pressure on the door jamb sticker and preset this value on the inflator, which will automatically stop when reached. During inflation, just watch the screen as the pressure steadily rises. Don't remove the hose immediately after inflation - wait about 10 seconds to confirm the reading stabilizes before disconnecting. Remember to measure when tires are cold for accuracy; summer heat can give falsely high readings, so early morning when the car's cool is ideal. Once you master these details, the digital gauge is much more reliable than old analog dial gauges.
