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Airing the tires properly

5357 Views 5 Replies 5 Participants Last post by  Narg
My search found some really hi-tech air pressure topics but this is really more basic: Does the Tire Monitor System info help you air a tire with the proper pressure or just inform you of the pressure later as you drive?

IOW, do you need a 2nd gauge to keep checking the tire as you add air or does the Tire Monitor System perform instantaneous feedback? In the past, I had free air checks with Firestone and just let them worry about it. Now whadda I do with this new Nox? I haven't even seen an air hose in 12 years.
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I believe the TPMS checks every few minutes. You can perform a manual check in the vehicle info menu though. But that would mean that you would need to put some air in, check, put more/less in, check, etc. I would think it would just be easier to check with a little hand-held gauge when you're actually doing it.
jer said:
My search found some really hi-tech air pressure topics but this is really more basic: Does the Tire Monitor System info help you air a tire with the proper pressure or just inform you of the pressure later as you drive?

IOW, do you need a 2nd gauge to keep checking the tire as you add air or does the Tire Monitor System perform instantaneous feedback? In the past, I had free air checks with Firestone and just let them worry about it. Now whadda I do with this new Nox? I haven't even seen an air hose in 12 years.
The TPWS is designed to give you feedback....Nothing replaces using a basic air pressure gauge (the TPWS has an error build in to them vs actual pressure..ie its not calibrated). If you have to add air, you should always do 2 things....Use a quality air system (so your not putting alot of moisture into the tire) and use a quality air gauge to obtain the proper pressures recommended by the manufacture of the vehicle.

I work for Bridgestone Bandag as a Technical Services Support Rep...and these opinions are my "own"
Grometsc, thanks, very useful. I think I'll go look for a digital easy-to-read gauge. I saw several on line that only indicate to .5 lb and some that indicate to .1 lb (for more $, of course).
The TPMS DOES read out in real time. I tested it in our Malibu and on the Terrain with a high quality manual gauge. Its not as fast as the hand held but it doesnt take a minute to tell you the PSI. Its rather fast.
I recall also that if any tire goes under 20 pounds (if I remember correctly) you do get a warning on your DIC.
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