On 11/7/2014 8:13 AM, trader_4 wrote:
On Friday, November 7, 2014 10:57:13 AM UTC-5, SMS wrote:
On 11/5/2014 2:53 PM, Jeff Strickland wrote:

No, nitrogen is snake oil. The air we breathe is already something like
80% nitrogen.

You do not understand the difference between dry nitrogen and the air we
breathe.

What you should be saying is this "a tire shop fills your tires with air
from a compressor that has a dryer attached to it. The drier removes
much of the moisture from the air."

Costco likely calculated that the cost of compressor dryers, in terms of
energy and maintenance, increased tire warranty repair costs, and labor
costs dealing with customers coming in with TPMS issues, made including
nitrogen at no extra cost a good idea financially.

Tire stores have nitrogen generators they don't get nitrogen deliveries.
The incremental cost of nitrogen to the tire store once they purchase
the machine is trivial, membrane and filter replacement only.

The bottom line is "don't pay extra for nitrogen and don't buy tires at
any store that does not include nitrogen at no extra charge."

When you have a study or any actual data at all that shows what you clain,
ie nitrogen gives you less warranty claims, longer treadlife, etc, I'm
sure we'd all be happy to see it.

Think logically. According to tire manufacturers, the pressure loss,
over time, is six times as fast with plain air versus nitrogen. Low tire
pressure causes uneven tread wear and increases failures covered by road
hazard warranties. Low tire pressure also causes the TPMS warning system
to activate which causes return visits to the tire store to have the
issue resolved (at an expected cost of $0). The LAST thing any store
wants is for customers to return for warranty service. Anything you can
do to reduce the likelihood of this occurring is worthwhile, and when it
costs you essentially nothing it's a no-brainer.

Most Costco members are not going to buy tires anywhere else because
it's highly unlikely to ever find better prices when you include
everything, even without free nitrogen. Most tire stores charge extra
for valves and road hazard, plus they have much higher charges for
mounting and balancing. It'd be rare for another store to be with $100
of Costco's price, plus now Costco will order tires for you if you don't
like the ones that they have in stock.