Tire Pressure & TPMS - What's Your Average Reading?

[PeteBerner]

What's your average tire pressure when you check on the dash? Do you feel like it's accurate? I had some trouble getting my TPMS to register on my aftermarket wheels - I got some Schrader ones at Advance Auto parts, and it took Discount Tire a little while to get the truck to recognize them. Like today, when I checked them on the dashboard (hot, driving temperature) 3 of them were at 37 lbs and one was at 36 lbs. That seems within specs, and also hot tire vs. cold tire temperature. I try to keep them at 35 lbs cold, but I'm using the cheap manual tire gauge that they give you at Discount Tire. It seems pretty accurate, but is there a good budget alternative - digital, or with an actual gauge, rather than the one that shoots out like a thermometer? I've always used the cheap freebies, but thought it might be better to get a good tire gauge.

[Edited: I thought I stated this plainly, but I left out asking about accuracy - do you feel like the TPMS is working accurately in your truck? Mine didn't seem too accurate on my old steelies with the OEM TPMS but I think it's better now with the new aftermarket wheels and Schrader TPMS - once I finally got it sorted with Discount Tire. My main reason for the post is that I want an accurate measure of tire inflation (for gas mileage and for tire wear) and I don't want to have to check them every week because the TPMS on the dash is inaccurate, or the Fordpass tire pressure isn't correct.]

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[The Real Maverick]

The TPMS seems fine.

But why do people always ask for "cheap" AND "quality"?

 

[Dave O]

I show 40 psi all the way around

 

[dalola]

My OEM TPMS has read 5psi low from day 1. And I prefer JACO pressure gauges.

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

, but is there a good budget alternative - digital, or with an actual gauge, rather than the one that shoots out like a thermometer? I've always used the cheap freebies, but thought it might be time to change up my tire pressure game!

I've got a couple of these, pretty good reviews too.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BY2GD9VC?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1

HRG

 

[PeteBerner]

The TPMS seems fine.

But why do people always ask for "cheap" AND "quality"?

My OEM TPMS has read 5psi low from day 1. And I prefer JACO pressure gauges.

This looks like a good budget option on Amazon -

thanks for the tip.

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

This looks like a good budget option on Amazon -

thanks for the tip.

Analog (dial) gauges are rated at % of full scale, so a 100psi gauge could be less accurate than a 60psi version. No need to get more gauge than you can use. Too bad they don't offer a 40 or 50psi version.

HRG

 

[GwK]

What's your average tire pressure when you check on the dash? I had some trouble getting my TPMS to register on my aftermarket wheels - I got some Schrader ones at Advance Auto parts, and it took Discount Tire a little while to get the truck to recognize them. Like today, when I checked them on the dashboard (hot, driving temperature) 3 of them were at 37 lbs and one was at 36 lbs. That seems within specs, and also hot tire vs. cold tire temperature. I try to keep them at 35 lbs cold, but I'm using the cheap manual tire gauge that they give you at Discount Tire. It seems pretty accurate, but is there a good budget alternative - digital, or with an actual gauge, rather than the one that shoots out like a thermometer? I've always used the cheap freebies, but thought it might be time to change up my tire pressure game!

My TPMS shows 40psi... the body tag indicates 35psi... do I need to take any action?

 

[sanpablo]

This looks like a good budget option on Amazon -

thanks for the tip.

My Jaco failed after a couple of months, YMMV. I bought the Milton pencil gauge for my vehicles. It is accurate.

www.amazon.com/Milton-S-920-Pencil-Pressure-Gauge/dp/B002YKB4BS/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.J5ABQki_4mydAb2F6w_QbBzNss_wDt-pEuodzTktECFYEXUuNI_fCo1k5mHxIjEA-B9i5ukvY6tb6knRFeyXDq8p7NppgRojXxfuahIVNFp_WOLSs-HEVbWqHkiZ-ikoy0_BZRwx_NovYbzkqE0eABQSY_XL0okqIRmjkMVzJC_CSnTjbJT9BpRLiqeZjAwUCoV3JHIIKlHAvTzgPeoVAQ.Ys_zq4ng2uUs61xsCFr7XM69ifEuDJLC789kJFw0Mnc&dib_tag=se&keywords=milton+pencil+tire+pressure+gauge&qid=1748787185&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1122742162...DuNOwx/Gsskw8Po6qu9ll10Ls=|tkp:Bk9SR7rqyr3lZQ

 

[Carlitos_92]

What's your average tire pressure when you check on the dash?... Like today, when I checked them on the dashboard (hot, driving temperature) 3 of them were at 37 lbs and one was at 36 lbs. That seems within specs, and also hot tire vs. cold tire temperature. I try to keep them at 35 lbs cold, but I'm using the cheap manual tire gauge that they give you at Discount Tire.

I can understand wanting tire gauge recommendations, I don't get but the rest of your question.

Are you asking if we think Ford's TPMS readings are accurate? In my experience, my truck is easily within 1 psi of what I see at either my "cheap" gauge, the readout on my air compressor, or the N2 inflators at Costco.

If your intent is a poll of what pressures people are running, then I shoot for 35-37 cold.

My TPMS shows 40psi... the body tag indicates 35psi... do I need to take any action?

Is the 40 psi on hot tires (from driving) or cold?

35 is what you are shooting for when cold. 40 cold is okay but pushing it for comfort and what the tires might reach when hot. I keep mine closer to 35, but your truck is not in imminent danger of exploding or anything.

 

[Buggy Man]

What's your average tire pressure when you check on the dash? I had some trouble getting my TPMS to register on my aftermarket wheels - I got some Schrader ones at Advance Auto parts, and it took Discount Tire a little while to get the truck to recognize them. Like today, when I checked them on the dashboard (hot, driving temperature) 3 of them were at 37 lbs and one was at 36 lbs. That seems within specs, and also hot tire vs. cold tire temperature. I try to keep them at 35 lbs cold, but I'm using the cheap manual tire gauge that they give you at Discount Tire. It seems pretty accurate, but is there a good budget alternative - digital, or with an actual gauge, rather than the one that shoots out like a thermometer? I've always used the cheap freebies, but thought it might be time to change up my tire pressure game!

I got a decent one from one of the auto part stores, it's made by SLIME - the people that sell that green slime stuff that seal's tire leaking tires. It's digital and seems to be accurate. Cost $13.
Wal-Mart sells them too.

 

[Ozarkbeard]

My TPMS shows 40psi... the body tag indicates 35psi... do I need to take any action?

If that's the temperature cold, and if you haven't checked them since you took delivery, it's very likely the dealership never reduced the over inflated tire pressure that's often put in at time of manufacture.

The door pillar sticker probably shows 35 for all four tires on your truck (but could vary). If that's what it says, that's what you should have when you check them on a cool morning before driving the truck.

 

[paneubert]

Cheap (like less than $5 for a 2 pack) pencil gauges are actually pretty accurate. I have a handful of these.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09YYJ58R6?

Accurate to within 2% in the middle of the reading range. I try to use the 10-50 PSI version when checking my tires, but have grabbed the 20-120PSI on accident and it still read the same.

I also have one of these, which claims to be calibrated to the same standard of accuracy.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0735HJZ5B?

But the pencil is so much easier and smaller than the floppy dial gauge style.

 

[Robot-Wrangler]

42F/41R

 

[SafetyGuy]

42F/41R

I also prefer to run at 1 lb below with the rear tires, as that end is normally lighter. Front at 37 psi, rear at 36 psi...door jam recommended pressure in my 2025 Lariat is 36 psi.

If you experience cold winters, you need to follow and check tire pressures to reflect these colder/lower AM pressures and reverse for summer temperatures.

I measure first thing in the AM, before driving and in the garage to make sure no sun is shining on any of the tires...it really screws up your indicated pressure, if you don't heed this advice.

Manufacturers have factored in the heat created by driving into the recommended COLD temperatures.

This heat will increase your pressure substantially...the hotter the day, the faster you drive, rhe more it will go up.

Cheers

Andy

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