| When considering filling your tires with Nitrogen vs. air | | | | So does Nitrogen really make sense? |
| there are a number of factors that should be | | | | Let's look at safety for a moment. Running your |
| considered. Safety, fuel economy, cost, Nitrogen | | | | vehicle with the correct air pressure as identified on |
| availability, and the cost of your time. | | | | your vehicles data plate is very important. Low air |
| Nitrogen advocate claims: | | | | pressure will negatively effect handling, create tire |
| -Filling your tires with pure nitrogen and you'll get | | | | friction and heat causing a higher failure probability |
| better gas mileage, your tires will be safer, and they'll | | | | and also a high rolling resistance creating a reduction |
| last longer. | | | | in fuel efficiency. The benefits of Nitrogen do address |
| -The Nitrogen fill up and maintenance fill costs will be | | | | these issues however is it the right way? |
| recovered from fuel savings and tire longevity | | | | If you were to simply check your tire pressure |
| The Nitrogen Cost: | | | | regularly, the air pressure loss, safety and fuel |
| The average Nitrogen fill or top off is $7 per tire or | | | | economy issues would be addressed and solved |
| $28 per vehicle. Keep in mind this cost will be | | | | however most of us are not good at checking tire |
| occurring each time you buy tires and also when you | | | | pressure on a regular basis. This was recognized and |
| have your tire pressure adjusted such as during | | | | addressed by our government..... |
| service or when your find your tire pressure low | | | | In short, Nitrogen was not chosen as a mandated |
| The Nitrogen fleet cost perspective: | | | | safety solution. Effective 2008 the Federal Motor |
| ABC Company has a fleet of 500 units. | | | | Carrier Safety Administration has mandated all new |
| Assume vehicles are being serviced every 3000 miles | | | | passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, |
| ABC company vehicles average 21,000 miles per year | | | | trucks, and buses that have a gross vehicle weight |
| That would be 7 services a year where air would be | | | | rating of 10,000 pounds or less, except those |
| checked or topped off (or NITROGEN) | | | | vehicles with dual wheels on an axle be built with a |
| The average Nitrogen fill or top off is $7 per tire or | | | | Tire Pressure Monitoring System- TPMS. |
| $28 per vehicle | | | | (§571.138 Standard No. 138) This system |
| Total cost $98,000 per year for a nitrogen fill. | | | | monitors and warns the driver when tire pressure |
| The Nitrogen time factor: | | | | falls out of system specification. This does not mean |
| If you were to decide there is a benefit in using | | | | you should not check your tire pressures checked |
| Nitrogen vs. air you will need to ensure you visit only | | | | regularly however if you would "forget" your vehicle |
| vendors that have nitrogen fill capability and in the | | | | will have something to say about it when your tire |
| event you had an emergency road service or air fill in | | | | pressure changes. |
| an area that nitrogen is not available you will need to | | | | My take on this matter is as simple as the air we |
| have this corrected at a later time in another location | | | | breath- stick with "air" and keep your money in your |
| to benefit from your nitrogen fill program. | | | | pocket. |