My mate suggested i use a decent pressure gauge to check my tire pressures, I do it every sunday at the same garage for the last 4 years. So I presumed all would be fine.. To my surprise it was 5 psi under on each tire!
The one is use if the electric one that you set on the panel first.

Is this a method by the petrol stations to ensure fast repeat business by reducing your consumption so you have to go back more often??

Feeling cheated!

Anyone esle found this??

 

more likely its just a naff guage - never trust forecourt guages unless you have used a 'proper' guage to get a comparison

 

never rely on forecourt pressure readings
they do get battered about abit
Also check when your tyres are cold

 

I've checked my pressures when hot and find them about 4 psi higher than the cold setting on the front and about 3 psi higher rear. Always carry a gauge in the car, and have another good one at home so I can cross check to ensure I havn't got a gauge problem. Perhaps a little paranoid.

 

Remember as above pressures should be measured when cold, your tyres have probably warmed by the time you get to the garage.

 

I beleive this is still the case. If they charge for air then the pressures must be exact (under the Weights and Measures act or some such law). However if they do not charge then there is no requirement for the machine to be calibrated correctly.