Cool Gadgetry! NOT
So sunday, instead of actually getting to go to the range, I ended up at the mall. We wander around a bit, and I stumble into a Radio SHaft store. In said store, I find these:
Now, I think to myself, what a great idea! I don’t even have to bend over to know which is which! All I have to do is look at the tires and I know if they’re up to pressure! What awesomeness! Combined wiht the fact that they’re $4 for a set of four!
Problem is they leak. No matter how I tighten them, they leak enough eair pressure overnight that I have to refill them. Glad I saved the old stems. Nice work, whoever made this crap.
That IS a great idea, especially for the less-often used vehicles (such as trailers).
Any idea where they’re leaking, and if it can be fixed, or possibly executed better in the first place?
I intend to investigate that today.
I had problems with a set years ago, too. Finally gave up. But what a neat idea. I wish they could improve them.
I really think the better solution would be to have tire pressure gauges built into the instrument cluster. More important than, say, oil pressure or coolant temp when you think about it.
And from there, it’s a short step to having the ability to adjust tire pressure from the driver’s seat.
I know there are some car models providing this now. I can’t wait until it’s standard equipment on the bottom-de-line Chevy. Then everyone will have it.
M
Wouldn’t something like (which worked) that have a tendency to give out false readings due to hot and cold tire pressures? Not really false, just variable.
Dick the pressure really only changes a few psi over a broad range of temp. If they were set up to pop at 20 psi and you where running 35 psi I think the would work well. At 20 psi you would still be able to drive on it but should get the idea you are getting a flat.
These have been for sale for a few years. They have always leaked. The manufacturer surely knows that they have always leaked. But they got your money which was their goal when they first started. Mission accomplished. Thank you very much. Radio Shaft has to be in on the scam by this time too. The only good news is that these little beauties used to cost twice as much. They got me for about 8 bucks if I remember correctly.
I look at my tires when full, and make a mental note of how they look. Then, every so often I look at them, and if they’re bulging more than normal, or if the car pulls to one side when I’m driving, I think “that one must be low”, and pump it up, checking with a tire gauge to see if I’m where I want to be. I’ve got two slow leaks that I watch, and paying for two flat fixes (whatever happened to the $5 patch?) is still too much to invest to get rid of the daily Tire Watch hassle.
Sorry, but these stems are from the World of Useless Gadgets. I can see where they’d be an impulse buy. Kind of like “30 tools in one – the perfect gift for Dad!” Or the bottle opener that plays the college fight song for thirty seconds every time you open a beer.
Trust me, I’ve bought a lot of crap that cost me more than $4, and I’ve asked myself “why do I need this” as I was paying for it. “Why did I get Twizzlers when I bought the Kilz at the hardware store? I don’t even like Twizzlers that much.”
Kind of wierd for them to be at RadioShack. I’d expect them to be at the As Seen on TV store instead. Next to the tv antenna that plugs in the outlet and turns the house wiring into a giant antenna. Allegedly.