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Tire pressure gauges

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by Callie2023!, May 20, 2024.

  1. May 20, 2024 at 8:46 AM
    #1
    Callie2023!

    Callie2023! [OP] New Member

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    Had tires placed on my Tacoma. As I drive I check tire pressure from dashboard. Sometimes it reads correctly from 32-35 lbs. depending on the weather conditions. Other times all four tires show just --- . Should I take back my truck to make sure the sensors are all connected OR do I need replacement sensors? Should I trust local tire store or take to Toyota dealer. I stopped going to dealer when I refused to work on my truck when a recall would have cost me $300 (I would have had to have my shell removed for dealer to act on the cab rear light fixture.)
     
  2. May 20, 2024 at 8:58 AM
    #2
    CT Yankee

    CT Yankee Well-Known Member

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    Only aesthetic mods so far Leer 180 cap & Clazzio covers on order.
    Are the sensors original?
    7 year old sensors probably have failing batteries. They have enough "juice" when the temperature is moderate, but not enough when it's colder.
    It's probably time to consider replacing them.
     
  3. May 20, 2024 at 9:08 AM
    #3
    Robnik

    Robnik Disciplined Maniac

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    Yeah, sensors last about 7 years on average. Mine are going on 12 years :fingerscrossed:

    Take it to Discount Tire, if you have one nearby. They'll tell you what's wrong + they're cheap :)
     
    dand likes this.
  4. May 20, 2024 at 9:38 AM
    #4
    Rock Lobster

    Rock Lobster Thread Derailer

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    My 2018 sensors went out over the winter. If it was warm, they transmitted like normal. If the air temp dipped below 50, at least one refused to wake up. And Toyota TPMS is funky - it won't display readings until it hears from all four sensors.


    Normally I say wait until you get new tires, but since you just did that, go back and have the new sensors installed. I got mine at DT, they seem to have the best prices after mounting/programming. (You can save some cash if you already own a $300 programming tool. I don't, so I let the tire shop do 'em.)
     
  5. May 20, 2024 at 9:39 AM
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    canuck guy

    canuck guy Well-Known Member

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    Like 23YOTA said it will show _ _ _ for the first few minutes on start up until the system gets adjusted and going. Pressures can increase or decrease as much as 6 pounds due to weather changing after start up. Fill all tires to your desired pressure (my door sill says 30# which I use) when the truck has been sitting overnight and tires are cool and use a hand held gauge to confirm pressure.
     
    t0p_d0g likes this.
  6. May 20, 2024 at 9:46 AM
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    TN1000

    TN1000 Well-Known Member

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    At the Costco by my house you can set the psi and it fills and stops to the desired target...sure beats averaging out on the old method.
     
  7. May 20, 2024 at 9:54 AM
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    Robnik

    Robnik Disciplined Maniac

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    Always manually check your air pressure. Get a good old fashioned dial type gauge. I fill mine to 36 lbs. all the way around.

    My tires always wear evenly. TPMS sucks, more of a pain in the butt than they're worth. Don't go by those gauges on the pumps.

    Usually they are inaccurate at best.
     
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  8. May 20, 2024 at 9:56 AM
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    TN1000

    TN1000 Well-Known Member

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    Definitely smart to have a tire gauge on hand. The automatic tire fill station is always dead on with my tpms; I will say that.
     
  9. May 20, 2024 at 10:53 AM
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    BMH

    BMH Well-Known Member

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    ^^^^^
    That. And get a good quality gauge. The ones where the plastic thing pops out of it like a Butterball turkey does not count as 'quality'.
     
    Kolache007 likes this.
  10. May 20, 2024 at 11:24 AM
    #10
    canuck guy

    canuck guy Well-Known Member

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    Disagree. I've bought several "digital" gauges with the dial gauge and they were all inconsistent. I have a metal gauge about the size of a bic pen that has the plastic read out that pops out. It has been faithful and reliable for + - 30 years.
     
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  11. May 20, 2024 at 1:17 PM
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    Robnik

    Robnik Disciplined Maniac

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  12. May 20, 2024 at 3:34 PM
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    2021SR5V64WD

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    I've had several of this type of gauge before. At one time I bought 4 of them so everyone in the fam would have one.
    Tested all 4 of them on one tire and got 4 different readings varying between 3 and 9 pounds.
    Re-tested all 4 on the other tires on the vehicles and still got wacko-readings.

    It's a lousy tire gauge, how difficult can it be to produce one that works - apparently quite difficult these days.
     
  13. May 20, 2024 at 3:40 PM
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    canuck guy

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    [​IMG]
    Tried and true for decades and the type many pro mechanics use
     
    BigEasy, pdxTacoSR5, RIX TUX and 3 others like this.
  14. May 20, 2024 at 3:58 PM
    #14
    BigCarbonFootprint

    BigCarbonFootprint Well-Known Member

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    I would rather have two of ^these^ pen (pencil) sized gauges and occasionally check them against each other than use a dial gauge. The pen (pencil) type gauges have been produced by the billions and even the Chinese can make them by now.
     
  15. May 20, 2024 at 4:02 PM
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    Marshall R

    Marshall R Well-Known Member

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    I use an air gauge to check my tires when it's parked. The TPMS system checks it while you're driving and will alert you if you have a sudden air pressure loss. It was never intended to replace an air gauge.

    Twice in the last 17 years I've been alerted to a sudden tire deflation while driving 70 mph on an interstate hwy after running over unseen debris that punctured tires with a sizeable hole. Both times I was able to get onto the shoulder and stopped before the tire completely deflated. Likely prevented a serious accident both times.

    New sensors are available for around $60-$80 for a set of 4 and need to be replaced every 7-10 years. I don't wait for my sensors to die. I buy new sensors and take them to the tire store and have them installed at no extra cost every other set of tires. It costs about the same as one tank of gas every 7-8 years to keep working sensors and it isn't any trouble at all.
     
  16. May 20, 2024 at 4:18 PM
    #16
    Robnik

    Robnik Disciplined Maniac

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    I've had mine for over 20 years. It's accurate. Made in USA, not China. Have you ever looked at thermometers in the store,

    they all have different readings. All Chinese junk! Key is to get an average reading & use that.
     
  17. May 20, 2024 at 4:22 PM
    #17
    M85

    M85 Well-Known Member

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    Lee Parks Design (https://leeparksdesign.com/) sells a couple supposedly good tire pressure gauges that are made in the USA. They are accurate enough for me. I bought one to replace my digital gauge that broke, and another one to keep in my mountain bike pack because it's super lightweight (but unfortunately doesn't work with Presta valves without an adapter). I use the dial gauge attached to my air chuck when inflating tires. I would like to find a reliable and accurate digital gauge, but being within 1-2 PSI with an analog gauge seems good enough. All the digital gauges I can find are cheaply made junk.
     
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  18. May 20, 2024 at 4:25 PM
    #18
    Robnik

    Robnik Disciplined Maniac

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    I know they serve a purpose, especially in the morning. Nice to know you have a flat before you set out. Honda & European vehicles use a different method to measure PSI.

    No friggin' batteries to replace :thumbsup:
     
  19. May 20, 2024 at 4:28 PM
    #19
    BigCarbonFootprint

    BigCarbonFootprint Well-Known Member

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    This is a teachable moment right here, people.
    ----------------
    Call me crazy, but check your tires and oil every time you get gas.
     
  20. May 20, 2024 at 4:29 PM
    #20
    tacoman2001$

    tacoman2001$ Well-Known Member

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    Buy an Astro tire inflator. Everyone I know uses these. They last forever and they're dead nuts every time. A little bit pricey but if you check 20-40 tires a day it's definitely worth the money. I've also never seen one break.
    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002PUTC0M/
     
    Rednecktacoma22 likes this.

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