Nitrogen in Tires

It is usually free at many tire shops.

I know that some tire shops charge for it, but Costco includes it. Since Costco has the best prices on tires, as well as mounting, balancing, and road warranty, it's not like they are jacking up their prices to cover their cost. According to Costo, using nitrogen saves them money in warranty returns. Of course if a tire dealer doesn't plan on honoring warranties in the first place, then there's no point in doing anything to reduce the warranty claims!

Yeah...well the problem will be solved shortly. My mechanic has agreed that if they can't buff the rims and make them work normally when I buy new tires next month, he'll re-mount the tires on standard steel rims for no charge (the labor, not the rims themselves). The experiment will take a week to determine if they're working correctly, but I got him to agree to 90 days.

You may wish to consider sending the alloy wheels to a place that specializes in alloy wheel repair like

$129 per wheel?!? I can get plain steel wheels and hubcaps for what - half that price per wheel? If I really cared about the appearance that much, or if my ego was pathologically connected with my car, I *might* spend that kind of money. Maybe.

Note that I said *may wish to consider* as opposed to "send your wheels out." :-)

they can't buff the rims and make them work

steel rims for no charge (the labor, not the rims

correctly, but I got him to agree to 90 days.

That "angle grinder" is for removing the back side of a dent.

Beats me. Two other garages mentioned the same tool for buffing the inside of the rims. We'll see. This is a tool I'm not familiar with.

Only places I've seen it are dealers and they're selling it along with the various "flush" services.

The only place that tried to sell me the Bilstein Wallet Flush was a Toyota dealer. Never going back to that dealer's service department as who knows what other shenanigans they are up to.

OTOH, Nitrogen in tires has a real benefit, and since many tire places provide it at no extra charge, and aren't any more expensive than the tire places that don't offer it, it's worth buying tires at the "free" nitrogen dealers.

The glove compartment flush is worthwhile, but you can do that yourself, even if you're dead, retarded or a Republican.

It's probably just compressed air at the dealer.

A) I, and most people I know, use tyres in 2 years max. Not enough time for degradation. B) I do not need to add air to my tyres for a year at a time (unless i get a puncture!) so i cant imagine why anyone would need more sealing ability.

It is used in F1 cars and planes to reduce the likelyhood of explosion (no air to ignite) but thats not really a reason with a road vehicle.

J

Tires with air in them will not explode or ignite. Maybe you are thinking of pure oxygen? FAA mandates that nitrogen be used for other reasons.

Sounds more like his tires are wasted from high mileage. I give him the benefit of doubt someone is checking and adjusting his tires.

I check them every week. I'm well aware of tyre wear causes and I assure you that unless its particularly cold or i have a puncture I do not have to add air for 12 months at a time, 3 of my tyres have been tested weekly but never topped up. One has a nail in it and leaks 1-2psi per week, and its not one of the fast wearers either!

Something is seriously wrong, then. And, what is a "4wd heavy sports car"? Make & model?

IIRC it was so as not to add air to a possible inferno in a burst, not really so the tyre/air doesnt ignite. The nitrogen acts somewhat to prevent ignition by displacing air. What are the other reasons the FAA specifies?

J

15K miles sees a set out on mine, full time 4wd heavy sports car with stiff, low profile sidewalls im afraid - chews them up.