It is easy to write a tyre gauge off as a gimmicky item that isn't really necessary. But on the contrary, it is one of the motoring accessories that we most strongly recommend you invest in.
Studies from a range of sources including government agencies, tyre companies, and consumer magazines all vary in their conclusions regarding exactly how much underinflated tyres affect fuel consumption. Their results ended up ranging from a 0.2% increase in fuel consumption per psi to two percent per psi. That’s quite a discrepancy.
But irrespective of the specific figures, all these studies show that underinflated tyres do affect fuel economy for the worse. However, under- and overinflated tyres can have far more severe consequences than this.
Tyre pressure and tyre wear
Tyres that aren’t inflated to the correct pressure can contribute to uneven or accelerated tyre wear. An underinflated tyre will wear out on the outer edges fast, while an overinflated tyre will wear out the centre faster.
Tyre pressure and handling
Tyres are designed to be inflated to a specific pressure – that pressure varies from tyre to tyre, but straying from the stated pressure can affect how the car behaves.
Over inflated tyres run the risk of losing some of their traction because the tread and sidewall become harder than what they should be, and therefore the contact patch with the road gets smaller.
Underinflated tyres can make a car’s handling less predictable, especially at higher speeds. Underinflated tyres are also at much higher risk of a blowout. If the sidewall has more give than it should, the contact area with the road increases, friction increases, and the tyre heats up. Overheating, causing wear and tread separation can subsequently result in a blowout.
And this isn't theoretical. A worrying portion of cars on British roads (TyreSafe claim around 50%) have underinflated tyres, and it's responsible for about a third of car accidents where vehicle defect is a contributing factor. It is therefore very important to point out how tyre negligence can pose a real risk to not only you but other people.
How a tyre gauge can help
Under or overinflated tyres don't look any different, except in extreme circumstances. Thus, it's hard to tell if your car's tyres are at the correct pressure. Tyre pressure gauges are little digital or analogue devices that stick into the tyre valve and give an accurate pressure reading.
You should check tyre pressure, including the spare, once a month, before long trips, or if you feel the car is not behaving as it normally should, such as pulling to one side.
The best tyre pressure gauges
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AA Digital Tyre Pressure Gauge
Editor's pick
Price: £9.33 | VIEW OFFER
Digital readings are more legible than a dial, but cheap digital devices often suffer from the ailment of being rubbish.
AA's Digital Tyre Pressure Gauge is superb. Crucially, it's accurate - the ring properly seals over the valve so you get a true reading, which can be in bar or psi (up to 6.5 or 100 respectively). There's a small light around the nozzle and the screen is backlit so you can use it at night too.
Draper Tyre Pressure Gauge
Best analogue tyre pressure gauge
Price: £6.10 | VIEW OFFER
This pencil style gauge is of considerably better quality than those for half the price. Where the digital gauges have a readout on a screen, this has increments on the tip. And while a specific value is better, this is still easy to read.
This gauge only reads between 6 and 50 psi but that's what you need for most circumstances.
Steel Mate DIY Tyre Pressure Monitoring System
Best high-tech option
Price: £83.46 | VIEW OFFER
A tyre pressure monitoring system comes as standard in many high-end cars, but it's a relatively simple aftermarket accessory you can fit to your car. Of course, there are plenty of cheap and nasty aftermarket TPMS's but equally, there are numerous options that are excellent.
This set is our recommendation. It's very simple to install and gives reliable, accurate readings. Each sensor is for a specific wheel, i.e. left front, rear right etc. These four sensors screw onto the tyre valve stem and secured in place using the locknut tool provided. Pressure readings are then sent via a wireless signal to the display the plugs into the cigarette lighter.
This tyre pressure monitoring system reads in both bar and psi and each sensor uses a 3V CR1632 battery.
What is the best tyre inflator?
One we rate highly is AA's Digital Tyre Inflator. While it's not the most powerful model, it is very well made, excellent value, and even features an auto-shutoff function.
AA 12V Digital Tyre Inflator
Price: £26.95 | VIEW OFFER
A quick guide to the best tyres
Caring for the tyres you currently have fitted is extremely important. But when the time comes to replace them with fresh ones, it pays to think about which ones to get. Tyres range enormously in design and performance and to help you along a bit, below are our winners from our most recent round of tyre testing.
Summer tyres are what you would consider to be everyday tyres. They offer the best grip, wear, and overall wet and dry performance in temperatures above 7 degrees Celsius. The overall winner from our latest summer tyre test is the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5:
Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5
Summer tyre test 2021 winner
Price: £89.98 | VIEW OFFER
"A great all-rounder. The Goodyear tyre performed well in the aquaplaning test and won the 62-0 mph wet brake test and came fourth in the dry brake test. It ranked just below average in the wet handling tests but did much better in the dry handling tests.
The Goodyear tyre gained third place for rolling resistance and fifth place in tyre noise (71dB)."
Winter tyres are designed specifically for conditions below 7 degrees Celsius. Their compound is softer than summer tyres for this reason. They also have chunkier tread to cope with snow and ice. The overall winner from our latest winter tyre test is the Bridgestone BLIZZAK LM005:
Bridgestone BLIZZAK LM005
Winter tyre test 2021 winner
Price: £79.38 | VIEW OFFER
"Despite not being the best option in the snow (the steering is a little indirect), its performance in the rain and on dry surfaces was exceptional making it our top winter tyre. Unbeatable wet performance, very good dry performance and it's good on snow too."
All-season tyres are all rounders that don't excel in any one area. They are designed for year-round use and in climates that don't experience extremes, such as the UK. The overall winner from our latest all-season tyre test is the Continental AllSeasonContact:
Continental AllSeasonContact
All-season tyre test winner 2021
Price: £129.20 | VIEW OFFER
"The best all-rounder you can get for your car. Very good on both snow, wet roads and in the dry, it’s our top choice."
Read next:
Winter car check: a 'how to' guide
The best travel torches for your car glovebox
Parkers' paint protection guide for DIYers
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