Amazon.com Review
Accutire's new, deluxe digital tire gauge delivers precise tire pressure reading every time--and that's important. While manual tire gauges seem flimsy, sometimes stick, and can give inconsistent results, Accutire's digital gauge is a well-made, confidence-inspiring instrument. The Accutire also delivers impressive consistency: in our tests, we got within plus/minus 1/2 psi each time, something that's not likely to happen with a manual gauge. The Accutire's large back-lit LCD screen is easy to read, too, no matter if you're standing in pitch-black dark or in bright daylight. The gauge measures from 5 to 99 psi, in 1/2-pound increments, and automatically shuts itself off after you use it. Built with a rugged aluminum housing, a rubber nose, and tail guards, this gauge also comes with a handy steel side clip, in case you need to carry yours with you wherever you go. And when it's not in use, you can store the Accutire in its felt-lined, snap-shut case, so it won't get beat up rattling around in your glove box. Accutire's digital gauge costs more than a manual gauge, but with its lifetime lithium battery, it's going to last you a long, long time. --Jon Groebner
Amazon.com Product Description
Accutire's new MS-4000B deluxe digital tire gauge delivers a precise tire pressure reading every time--and that's important. Correct tire pressure helps your vehicle travel efficiently, reduces wear on your tires, and keeps your gas mileage optimal. Many manual tire gauges are not durable, often stick, and can give inconsistent results, but Accutire's digital gauge is a well-made, confidence-inspiring instrument that will last for years to come.
Solid Design
The MS-4000B has a unique, ergonomic design that allows you to maintain a firm grip while checking your tires. The head is more solidly built than most other tire gauges, and allows for a good seating on the valve stem to reduce the possibility of escaping air and an incorrect measurement.
Accutire's MS-4000B digital tire gauge is an important piece of equipment for any driver. View larger. |
This compact gauge stores easily in your glove box. |
Easy to ReadThe Accutire's large back-lit LCD screen is easy to read, whether you're standing in pitch-black darkness or in bright daylight. It measures from 5 to 99 psi, in 1/2-pound increments, which lends itself to industrial-sized equipment, and automatically shuts itself off after you use it to save on battery usage.
Stylish and Ergonomic
Built with a rugged aluminum housing, a rubber nose, and tail guards, this gauge also comes with a handy steel side clip in case you need to take it with you. When it's not in use, you can store the MS-4000B in its felt-lined, snap-shut case, so it won't get beat up rattling around in your glove box. This gauge is a precision tool with great styling. The ergonomic design gives the gauge a quality feel and the aluminum case will protect it in the years ahead. Under-inflated tires may cause the vehicle to work harder and therefore worsen the gas mileage, and moreover damage the tires. The MS-4000B is an easy and accurate way to make sure they are working best for you.
Warranty
The MS-4000B has a limited 5-year warranty.
Customer Reviews
No problems after 2 years of use
Received this as a gift a few years ago to replace the plethora of traditional "stick" type pressure gauges floating around the glove box, garage, etc.
This Accutire gauge offers a faster tire pressure read due to two things. First is obtaining a good "seal" between the gauge and the valve stem. The Accutire obtains a good seal far more quickly. The quality of the Accutire's head is far superior to the head of the stick-type gauges (... the manufacturer can spend a little more for a better head). Also the size of the Accutire allows you to hold it more firmly and position it more securely on the valve stem. Second is reading what the gauge tells you. With the old stick-type gauge, you have to ponder, "Is that 33 psi or 32? Wait, how many tick marks are covered up inside the stick? Oh, It's actually 35 or 34 psi. Well I guess it's 34." Clearly, not a problem with the Accutire; the digital display tells you immediately.
The case that the Accutire comes in is pretty nice. Mine is a silver-metallic plastic with a solid feel (your mileage may vary). With the case, the Accutire is very easy to find in your glove compartment (vs. fishing for those old stick-type gauges).
The real testament is that with multiple cars and just a single Accutire gauge, while each car still has a stick-type gauge in the glove box, I will go to the car with the Accupressure to use it on the other cars.
Compared Two Gauges
I recently got tired of messing around with my old mechanical analog tire gauge and decided to go digital. After searching on Amazon, I found two digital gauges that looked good: the Accutire MS-4000B and the Campbell-Hauschild AU1102. They both sounded good, although I was a little troubled by some of the reviews of the Accutire. I decided, since we have two cars, to get one of each, so I could keep one in each car. I have now experienced a couple of weeks of use, during which I have had the opportunity to employ a tire gauge more than usual due to "operator learning curve" problems associated with setting up the on-board tire pressure sensor in a new Toyota. (How do those things work, anyway?) The bottom line is: get the Campbell-Hauschild.
The Accutire looks cool and comes in a nice case. It has a convenient pocket clip. But doesn't work all that great measuring the air pressure in your tires. I experienced the sealing problem reported by others. It's not that big a thing, but you do loose a little air every time you take a reading. I will try the rubber tape suggestion made by another reviewer, but the C-H seals perfectly right out of the box. The Accutire reads a pound lower than the C-H and my old analog gauge. Maybe the other two are the ones that are "off," but . . . On several occasions, the Accutire did not give a reading - just displayed "0.0" The C-H always sealed completely and gave a believable reading. The Accutire is easy to use, all you have to do is push it against the valve stem and it turns on and gives a reading. The C-H has to be turned on with a button before pressing against the valve stem. The C-H has a tread gauge that also serves to depress the valve; the Accutire doesn't have any kind of nipple or anything to let air out of the tire if it is over-inflated. With the experience gained using these, at this point I would buy the C-H rather than the Accutire.
How to greatly improve your tire gauge!
I've had 3 of these and have given 2 as gifts. They're inexpensive, but as others have mentioned, they suffer from an inadequate seal. Old fashion analog gauges have a good rubber seal on the inside that the MS-4000GB lacks. In fact there is no rubber at all. Because you're pressing plastic (the gauge) against metal (the tire air stem), you must hold it perfectly flush or air will escape, making a reading difficult to get. To me, this is the only thing wrong with this great tire gauge. I've looked everywhere and haven't found a better digital gauge.
Accutire should have used a good rubber contact, but my guess is because rubber wears out faster than plastic, they wouldn't have to worry about as many warranty returns.
HOW TO IMPROVE IT:
Get something called "rubber tape". You may need to buy this online or you might be able to find it at your local hardware or electronics store. I used "3M Scotch linerless rubber splicing tape". The thickness is important. I used .03 in. (.761mm). I wouldn't go any thicker. Get something thinner if you can. You don't want to make it any higher than the gauge's white airhole center nipple.
All you need to do is cut it to the diameter of the inside of the gauge's mouth, then cut out a small hole for the air hole. It doesn't have to be perfect, but the inside hole should be more perfect than the outside.
After performing this simple modification, my gauge was about 5 times easier to use and gave perfect readings. No more fiddling to get an airtight fit.
When the rubber wears out, just replace with new rubber tape!
I only recently came up with this idea, so the 2 I've given as gifts have probably gotten little use because of this "flaw". I highly recommend modifying the gauge before giving them away.
Product Description
