Nitrogen Filled Tires:

Tires inflated with nitrogen can save consumers a ton of money on replacement tires and tire maintenance because it extends the life of the tire. Nitrogen stays cooler than oxygen and other gasses that compose the air typically used to inflate your tires at your local gas station or auto mechanics air machines. By keeping the temperature of your tires cooler, your tire receives less wear over time. Also, the molecules in nitrogen are larger than the molecules of oxygen so it is less likely to escape the tire which causes deflation and inbalance. If your tires are filled properly, tire pressure will remain more balanced because fewer molecules can escape from the tire. More balanced tires result in higher performance, improved safety, and better fuel efficiency.

In addition to saving money on tires, consumers will save on fuel consumption according to the experts at the Get Nitrogen Institution, a non-profit organization out of Denver that is attempting to convert consumers from regular air to nitrogen use in their tires. The organization is promoting nitrogen as the latest earth friendly trend which is growing rapidly popular in public consumer use.

Many organizations have been using nitrogen in their tires for years including NASCAR. On NASCAR.com, Marty Smith (NASCAR Analyst and Reporter for NASCAR.com) said, "NASCAR teams use nitrogen to pressurize tires. Nitrogen -- the driest form of air NASCAR will allow teams to use -- contains no moisture and therefore cannot expand." NASCAR benefits from the high performance usage and safety provided by nitrogen used in tire inflation.

Other organizations use nitrogen for the same reasons. For example, the FCC has required the use of nitrogen in airplane tires as a standard safety feature for commercial airlines. Many large scale warehousing companies like COSTCO have also been using nitrogen for their cross country trucking operations in order to cut costs on fuel usage and tire maintenance. Even the United States Government has joined this earth friendly trend by using nitrogen for their fleet of government operated and military vehicles.

The Get Nitrogen Institute, claims "Americans could save 3.7 billion gallons of fuel per year by maintaining proper tire inflation with nitrogen (2010)." They even offer a "GREEN IMPACT CALCULATOR" on their website that constantly tracks the total number of nitrogen drivers, dealers, and gallons of oil saved from the use of nitrogen filled tires.

With fewer tires in the landfills, less oil consumption, and reduced emissions, everyone benefits from a healthier planet while saving money at the pump. GNI was started in 2005 to educate consumers about the "benefits of using nitrogen in tires" and have been sponsored by well-known organizations including Costco, TRIB (Tire Retread & Repair Information Bureau), and Branick (a huge supplier of nitrogen for tire inflation).

Branick, which previously only offered nitrogen to "NASCAR, the aircraft industry, the U.S. Military, and Formula One" is now offering nitrogen tire inflations systems to the general public. Branick is advertising their nitrogen filling machines to auto shops, trucking fleet companies, and dealers while they encourage the general public to switch from regular air to the tire friendly nitrogen they sell. All of their "nitrogen generators come with membranes by Air Products made in the U.S.A." and do not "require carbon filters," according to their website.

Some local governments have bought into the concept and are joining the effort to convert their residents to nitrogen filled tires this year. The City of St. Peters, Missouri is one of those municipalities that are endorsing this trend. According to the St. Peters, Missouri, Up Front Journal, the city will be offering a nitrogen replacement program that is FREE to residents for one full day. On April 22, 2010 in honor of Earth Day, the City of St. Peters will open up their nitrogen tire station off Ecology Drive to the general public in an effort to convert residents to nitrogen filled tires.

In order to participate in the program for free, residents will need to call in advance to make an appointment. The number is 636-970-1456. Residents must show their Resident Privilege Card in order to receive this free service. But you don't need to be a resident of St. Peters to have your tires filled with nitrogen. Check with your local tire retailers and car dealers. They will know where to find this service for a small fee.

Here are a few locations that offer this service in the Greater St. Louis and St. Charles County area. If you are not a resident of St. Peters, MO, you can pay a small fee to have your tires inflated with nitrogen at one of these locations:

ST CHARLES, MO
Plaza Tire
2498 W Clay
St Saint Charles, MO 63301
636-940-9898

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO
Telle Tire & Auto Service
1323 S. Big Bend Blvd
St. Louis MO 63117
314-645-3447

SOURCES:

Get Nitrogen Institute website at http://www.getnitrogen.org/index.php

(2010, April 2010). Nitrogen Tire Filling Program. Up Front, April 2010, 2.

http://www.nascar.com/2005/news/features/last_lap/05/17/lastlap_mailbag/index.html