On Sunday, November 9, 2014 1:31:44 PM UTC-5, dpb wrote:
On 11/09/2014 11:16 AM, SMS wrote:
On 11/8/2014 1:10 PM, dpb wrote:
On 11/07/2014 9:58 AM, SMS wrote:
...

Not true. There is a discernible advantage, but not one that is worth
paying anything extra for. Just never buy tires at a retailer that does
not include nitrogen inflation at no extra charge.

Don't fool yourself that you're not paying for it -- it may not be
itemized, but trust me, it's in there...

You don't understand how retailers set prices. It's not based on fixed
percentage over their costs, it's based on the market.
..

Trust me, however they build their advertising cost structure, the cost
of the product and services _IS_ in there. You're not getting anything
"free", you just don't know where it is in the final check.

It's like the colleague of mine years ago who had some specific expenses
rejected on an expense account for work travel. The next submittal
totalled the same net amount but the items in question were nowhere to
be seen. Same thing here.

The reason Costco just includes nitrogen is that it makes good business
sense. It reduces their costs by reducing warranty returns for both
treadwear and road hazard.

Now you're back to what you promised not to do any more without specific
evidence.

--



Here's what one respected auto authority has to say on the subject:

http://www.edmunds.com/car-care/shou...-nitrogen.html

The Green Cap on Your Tire Could Take Green From Your Wallet

http://www.edmunds.com/car-care/shou...-nitrogen.html

Based on cost, convenience and actual performance benefit, we don't think nitrogen is worth it. A much better use of your money would be to buy a good tire-pressure gauge and check your tires frequently.

And Consumer Reports did a test:

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/n...tudy/index.htm

"The test started on September 20, 2006 and the final measurements were taken on September 20, 2007. The results show nitrogen does reduce pressure loss over time, but the reduction is only a 1.3 psi difference from air-filled tires. The average loss of air-filled tires was just 3.5 psi from the initial 30pressure setting. Nitrogen-filled tires lost an average of 2.2 psi from the initial 30 psi setting.


Bottom line: Overall, consumers can use nitrogen and might enjoy the slight improvement in air retention provided, but it's not a substitute for regular inflation checks."


Now at least that is some real data. Over a year, ~ 1 PSI difference in
pressure. And that was with CR purging the tires 3 times to get all the
air out before the final nitrogen filling. And that is supposed to
translate to less warranty claims at Costco? Less blowouts? Less carnage
on the roads? Give me a break.