What type of oil pressure gauge indicates pressure through direct pressure application?

A mechanical oil pressure gauge indicates pressure through direct pressure application. This type of gauge works using a simple principle: the oil pressure in the engine pushes against a flexible metal tube (often called a Bourdon tube). As the oil pressure increases, it causes the tube to straighten or bend, which then moves a needle on the gauge face to show the oil pressure reading.

Mechanical gauges are valued for their simplicity and reliability, as they do not require any electronic components to function. This direct connection between the pressure source and the gauge means that mechanical gauges can provide an accurate reading of oil pressure using a physical movement driven by the pressure itself. This design is less susceptible to electrical issues that might affect digital or electronic gauges.

Digital, analog, and electronic gauges often rely on sensors or other intermediary devices to measure pressure, which translates into electrical signals that ultimately drive a display or needle, but they do not measure the pressure directly through the application of that pressure.