Here's a design concept that's long overdue: a digital valve cap that gives you an instant readout of your tire pressure with a simple push. Created by designer John Wrightson specifically for mountain bikers, the caps will let riders measure inflation in a hurry, without the inconvenience of a tire pressure gauge cluttering up their pockets.
If a device like this is rugged enough for mountain bikes, surely it can be used on car tires as well. Some high-end luxury cars can give you a tire pressure readout on their instrument panels, and there are aftermarket kits available, too, but this looks like it could be quick solution for the rest of us—a low-cost, easy way to quickly check your car's tire pressure. It's a great idea, because properly inflated tires last longer and give you better gas mileage.
Caroflot, via Yanko Design
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By raymondjram at 7:42 AM ON 10/04/07
Digital tire pressure gauges are not new. I have one at home. It only cost me $15 at Western Auto. I rather carry one in my pocket or in my car's storage than spend four times much, attaching one on each tire. Besides, those new digital valve caps are a easy steal from the tires, if you don't count losing them due to natural loosening or snapping off while in traffic. Unless the caps come with a valve locking mechanism, I will never recommend them.
Raymond
By MiKeyes at 1:46 PM ON 10/04/07
This is another of those developments which appears to be a solution looking for a problem. At the same time, it creates a new problem: tire balancing. Yep, after you buy a set of these, you'll have to get your tires rebalanced. Then when you lose one, or they get stolen...
As usual, just because something is technologically feasible doesn't mean it should be done.
By jsauvageau at 5:31 PM ON 10/04/07
I know Canadians are a little behind in getting the latest toys (we STILL don't have the Sony Reader), but this car gadget is WAY behind the times. For 149.99 Canadian, you can go to Canadian Tire and purchase a wireless tire pressure monitoring system that uses audible alerts when the pressure lowers. There are 4 wireless caps/transmitters that come included. They come with a security lock, and with a set of counter balances, but since they weigh 30g (about an ounce), how much will it really affect the balance?