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Hybrid Tires and a Network of Nitrogen Services

On March 28, 2013, in Hybrid Tires, by allisonmreilly
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hybrid tiresTransportation accounts for almost 70% of  the fuel consumption in the United States. The vehicles we drive, whether for business or for personal use, represent the best potential for improving our energy efficiency. According to the Department of Energy, drivers spend 3.7 billion hours sitting in traffic every year, wasting over 2.3 billion gallons of fuel in the bumper-to-bumper mess and costing the economy $78 billion.

This compelling evidence has prompted NitroFleet99 to foster partnerships with the Clean Cities Coalition, the National Association of Fleet Administrators [NAFA], the Environmental Protection Agency, and the DOE in order to  recognize the need for better solutions for managed fleets. After all, there has to be a way to improve that, a way that’s more than carpooling, driving less, and purchasing brand new vehicles with improved gas mileage.

Is There a Solution?

Nitrogen tire inflation has been widely used for decades by the airlines, big industry and professional motor sports such as NASCAR. Since nitrogen is different from compressed air, – it’s use in tires has been evaluated independently for it’s effect on rubber. Tires companies such as Bridgestone, Goodyear, and Ford have concluded from their research that nitrogen permeates through a tire wall between three and four times more slowly than compressed air – which is actually 76% Nitrogen, 23% Oxygen [which contains moisture and is the enemy of
rubber] and 1% trace minerals.

The benefits that nitrogen tires offer: more evenly inflated tires that retain pressure longer, a better fuel economy by up to 6%, and increased life of the tire (whether new or used). A tire converted to nitrogen will last up to 30% longer, thereby reducing the environmental impact of the over 300 million worn tire casings that are disposed of in landfills and bodies of water around the
world every year.

What’s Nitrofleet99 Doing about This?

As part of the EPA’s Green Gas Station model for the future, NitroFleet99 is providing nitrogen systems to five model sites in California and Texas that feature LEED [Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design] certified buildings and alternative fuels. GoNitroTire is working to create a network of Nitrogen service providers across the U.S. under the NitroFleet99 brand to provide a uniform nitrogen services network for both consumers and the fleet community. By 2015, there will be 59 metropolitan areas with populations greater than 5 million – up 50% from just 2001. In 2007, the world crossed a epochal threshold – for the first time in history the majority of the human population lives in cities, changing the way individuals and businesses travel and manage their tires. This will be done through hybrid tires and nitrogen tire inflation, and at a reasonable cost. A passenger vehicle will cost about $29.95 for all four tires to be converted to nitrogen in just five to 10 minutes time.

A Network of Nitrogen Services is Possible

The cities of Kansas City, Mo., Kirkwood Mo., and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation have already chosen nitrogen tire inflation and have already decided that it is a better alternative to air. It’s only a matter of time before others make that choice, decreasing pollution and our dependence on foreign oil while increase our energy security and our chances for a better energy future. President Obama, before his last inauguration, called for Americans to manage their tire pressure on their vehicles more carefully and to help ensure a better fuel economy. Will you listen?

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How Nitrogen-Filled Tires Improve Safety

On March 14, 2013, in Nitrogen Tire Inflation, Tire Care, by allisonmreilly
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nitrogen-filled tires safetyWhen we talk about safe driving, we often discuss things like distracted driving, wearing a seat belt, drinking and driving, and other aspects of driver behavior. However, an aspect of driver behavior that impacts safety, but is hardly ever talked about in this way, is tire maintenance. Flat tires and tire blowouts are unsafe situations for both you, and everyone else on the road, but it’s often not considered a part of ‘safe driving.’ We’re here to say that it is, and that the best thing to do about is it to have nitrogen-filled tires. Here is how nitrogen-filled tires improve safety:

Proper Tire Pressure for Longer Periods of Time

A recent study from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that vehicles with tires underinflated by 25% or more were three times as likely to be involved in the crash linked to tire problems. The study also found that 66% of tire-related crashes involved passenger cars. This means that proper tire pressure is critical for safety, and nitrogen-filled tires have been found to maintain proper tire pressure for longer periods of time. On top of that, over half of all the vehicles on the road have at least one underinflated tire, so even if your tires are okay, many others on the road probably aren’t and could be putting you in jeopardy. So, with nitrogen tire inflation, you are not only doing your best to drive safely, but you are also doing something about the safety of others on.

Less Susceptibility to Temperature Changes

This is a point that nitrogen naysayers will argue that doesn’t apply to normal drivers. Just because you aren’t driving 300 miles an hour doesn’t mean that temperature changes don’t happen when you are driving. The temperatures do change, simply because driving around moves the tires and that movement heats them up. It happens with a lot of things that move, or when they move, as that’s how things work. However, air-filled tires are mores susceptible to that because of the moisture in the air.

This is especially crucial for long road trips in the summertime, when the tire will not only be hot for a long period of time, but everything outside of the tire will be hot as well. When tires are hot, say 120 degrees, and are that hot for a couple of hours (which they could be during a road trip or even a 3-hour drive), there is increased risk for a blowout. The moisture, and the oxygen, are much more reactive to temperature changes, therefore increasing the chances of hitting 120 degrees and being there for a longer period of time. Nitrogen-filled tires do not have this problem because they do not have moisture or oxygen.

Improved Road Handling

nitrogen-filled tires

Nitrogen-filled tires keep tires at correct inflation, which improves road handling.

When tires are at their proper tire pressure, when the tire pressure isn’t fluctuating with the temperature changes, then those tires handle the road better. This is because proper tire pressure keeps the tire wear even and maintains full tread contact with the road, as seen in the picture to the left. Obviously, the tire with the correct inflation is the safest, and looks most likely to handle a sudden swerve or slick  road conditions. The previously-mentioned study did find that underinflated tires were more likely to experience problems in bad weather.

If you want to be a safe driver, whether for yourself or for your family, then nitrogen-filled tires are the way to go. Behavior doesn’t mean as much if the vehicle you’re driving is not in the best and safest condition possible for the roadways and those with whom you share the road.

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The Winter Benefits of Putting Nitrogen in Your Tires

On February 28, 2013, in Nitrogen Tire Inflation, Proper Tire Pressure, Tire Care, by allisonmreilly
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winter benefits of ntirogen in your tiresWinter is in full swing! Over 20% of the U.S population was affected by last week’s storm, making driving difficult for many people (and driving still might be difficult in some places). One of the last things people are thinking about in these road conditions is the condition of their tires, but tires with right pressure are what you need to navigate winter roads. The best way to ensure that your tires have proper tire pressure is with nitrogen tire inflation. Here are the winter benefits of putting nitrogen in your tires:

Proper Tire Pressure Ensures Better Handling

When driving on icy and slippery winter roads, you need tires that can handle those conditions. This means that tires that are underpressure, or have uneven wear, are going to give you as much trouble as the road conditions themselves. Proper tire pressure solves the first, and it solves the second since its typically a tire that’s below pressure that will wear unevenly. To solve for proper tire pressure, nitrogen tire inflation does the trick. Nitrogen tires maintain proper tire pressure for longer periods of time, which is one comforting thing to have when traveling through severe weather.

Nitrogen Tire Inflation Improves Fuel Efficiency

With winter road conditions, commute times are longer because you have to be more careful on the roads. You might also have to take different routes to avoid accidents and traffic. All that means you’re burning more fuel and increasing how much you spend on gas. To keep that to a minimum, (besides avoiding the roads all together) you can fill your tires with nitrogen. Because of the proper tire pressure benefit, nitrogen tire inflation increases your fuel efficiency by three percent, which can make a big difference as gas prices and the amount of gas we’re using goes up. Of course, one of the last things you want to happen when driving in this weather is to run of gas and to be stranded. Get the most out of every drop of fuel with nitrogen tire inflation.

Nitrogen Tires Better Withstand Extreme Temperatures

Air-filled tires are much more sensitive to temperature changes than nitrogen tires, so with air-filled tires you run the risk of driving on tires that are below pressure. It also means that while you’re driving, your tire pressure will also fluctuate with larger swings. These sorts of changes do not represent the safety that you want when you are driving on icy roads, or at the beginning of snow fall when the road surface changes. Since nitrogen tires better withstand the extreme temperatures of winter, they are much safer for driving than air-filled tires.

Driving when the roads aren’t safe may seem like a gamble, but you can increase your chances of arriving safely with tires that are ready for these conditions. Even with snow tires, you want your wheels to be reliable and to be able to withstand the unpredictability of winter roads. Winter may already be halfway over, but the driving never is, and nitrogen tire inflation is still beneficial once the snow stops. So, it’s not too late to fill your tires with nitrogen, and you don’t have to wait until next winter to do it.

Related Links:

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Nitrogen Tire Inflation

4 Ways to Winterize Your Tires Before February

Prepping Your Tires for the Winter Season

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3 Green Light Tips for Going Green

On February 14, 2013, in Guest Posts, Sustainability, by allisonmreilly
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going green tips

This is a guest post by Geoffrey Torres. Torres works exclusively on hybrid and EV cars. He shares tips and ideas on how drivers can save money and energy by switching to alternatively fueled vehicles.

Green is more than a color, it’s a necessary lifestyle one that our planet depends upon to flourish into the future. Maintaining an eco-friendly way of life is as simple as enacting a few minor adjustments in your everyday living, and your health and bank account will be better for it. Think green, adhere to the following advice and the earth will thank you for it.

Driving Green

Installing green tires help the  your wallet in numerous ways. Their unique design enables driving greater distances with less time spent filling up at the pump. Some manufacturers also produce tires with raw materials in lieu of petroleum. The Assurance Fuel Max, which you can find on a site like Goodyear tires from DiscountTire.com, is one such green tire that features low rolling resistance to boost fuel economy.

If you can’t afford to get a new set of tires, drivers can also take advantage of other techniques to greatly improve mileage. Every month, use a tire gauge to check the pressure of each tire, and pump it full of air if necessary to improve mileage by approximately three percent. Installing a new oxygen sensor can potentially boost mileage up to 15 percent, according to GoodHouseKeeping.com. Better yet, don’t drive at all. Walk or bike where you can or take advantage of public transportation.

Recycling

The U.S. is the king of waste production. According to Earth911, Americans throw away enough paper and plastic cups, forks, and spoons to circle the equator 300 times, every year. We easily dispose of objects after one use, oftentimes without even bothering to recycle. Since you all know how to recycle, here are some tips for properly recycling plastics, paper, and metal.

Plastics: Remove bottle caps from all plastic bottles. Their composition is different and can ruin an otherwise perfect load of recycling.

Paper: Never include paper plates or products contaminated with stains from your meal. Food waste can not be filtered out and will compromise the entire batch, according to GoodHouseKeeping.com. Metal, however, can be filtered. Stapled paper or spiral notebooks are recycle-ready.

Metal: Any scrap metal, wire hangers, foil and tins can and should be recycled as long as they are washed clean beforehand.

Unplug Appliances

Raise your hand if you have dozens of electronics and appliances plugged in 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Even when not in use, devices such as TVs and computers continue to suck up watt after watt of electricity, analogously named vampire energy. Begin to implement judicious use of electrical outlets. Unplug all idle appliances, with the exception of alarm clocks, DVRs and other devices that must remain connected to an outlet. Consider using power strips with a simple on/off switch to save you the hassle of unplugging and plugging each individual device or getting a smart plug that will automatically shut off power for things that are idle long enough. Eco-friendly devices like select cell phone chargers are another economical option they save energy by detecting when the phone is attached and completely halt energy use when the phone isn’t.

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Nitrogen in Your Tires Part 2 [Video]

On February 7, 2013, in Fuel Efficiency, Nitrogen Tire Inflation, Video, by allisonmreilly
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Below is part two of the nitrogen in your tires video series. You can catch part one here, although you don’t need to watch part one in order to understand part two. Enjoy!

Well, those prices are taking a hit on many people’s pocketbooks but there are ways to save a little moneyAnd it doesn’t involve buying a new car. Heidi Glaus joins us with more. Heidi –
Glaus: Well, yeah, with prices the way they are these days everyone is looking for the smallest thing to cut back on. Ken Lawton from Go Nitro Tire might have the solution. So, what are the benefits of filling your tires with nitrogen?
Lawton: Well, Heidi, the first and most important benefit is safety. Maintenance, fuel economy, and longer tire wear; these represent the core of benefits for nitrogen-inflated tires.
Glaus: So, this is the kind of machine we’re going to be looking at. But, unlike now when we pull up to a gas station, you can’t just put in a quarter, 50 cents, and fill up your tires. This is going to take somebody special.
Lawton: It’s going to take a technician. Typically, for a conventional car, it takes six to 10 minutes for all four tires simultaneously to be done
Glaus: And, that’ll cost a consumer how much?
Lawton: At a tire store or an automotive group, it’ll cost anywhere from $24.95 to $49.95.
Glaus: And, you were saying that these aren’t really everywhere yet?
Lawton: No, they’re not. There’s just under 500 nitrogen service providers here in the United States. That number is changing and growing rapidly but it’s still a small number for the size of the population.
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Nitrogen in Your Tires Part 1 [Video]

On January 24, 2013, in Fuel Efficiency, Nitrogen Tire Inflation, Video, by allisonmreilly
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One of the ways we that we come up with blog post ideas is that we look at competing blogs to find topic ideas that we haven’t yet covered. By simply taking a title, topic, or keyword, we then write our own nitrogen tire inflation article with our own perspective and information. It was through this routine process the other day that we came across a video of… ourselves.

While looking through the competitor’s blog, we found a post that had a video in it. We noticed that in the video screenshot was a man that looked a lot like Ken Lawton, the CEO of Nitrofleet99. Curious, we watched the video. Sure enough, it was Ken! Not only did this competitor post a video that showcased his competitor very clearly (the video introduces Ken and shoots a few seconds of Nitrofleet99’s banner) , the video was an interview with Ken about nitrogen tire inflation. The competitor was never featured in the two and half-minute piece! We found it interesting that our competitor shared a video about nitrogen tire inflation, but failed to consider the his direct competitor was the one prominently featured as the source and expert on the issue. He focused too much on the fact that the video was about nitrogen tire inflation.

We couldn’t not share this video and this story! The video (which is part one of two, another fact the competitor failed to notice) and its transcript are below. We will share part two and its transcript next week.

Transcript

But, with the average price of gas in St. Louis at $3.87 a gallon this morning, filling up your tank is not something to be taken lightly these days. But, there are ways to save a little money at the pump and Heidi Glaus is here to share the secrets. Heidi-

Glaus: Yeah, well there’s a lot to know about filling your tires and what that can do for your gas mileage. So, this is Ken Lawton and you’re all about the nitrogen, which is some people have probably heard about but maybe they don’t know exactly what filling your tires with nitrogen can do.

Lawton: Heidi, nitrogen tire inflation has been around for a very long time. The military, the NASCAR community, and big business has been using nitrogen for over twenty years.

Glaus: So, what you’re saying is that it hasn’t really been affordable to the common person for the last few years?

Lawton: It is completely been unaffordable due to the technology changes; in recent years have made it affordable to automotive groups and tire stores and the public in general. So, it is come of age.

Glaus: So what are we talking; what are the benefits of using nitrogen instead of, you know, oxygen?

Lawton: Well, it begins with aging. The oxygen in air degredates tires and causes premature aging. The tire of simply wears out more quickly. With nitrogen, what you have is the benefit of a completely dry, inert air that simply makes the tire perform as a hybrid. What you’re doing by converting to nitrogen is creating a hybrid tire.

Glaus: Really! So, we hear all about the hybrid cars and all of that and this is just what we’re doing to the tires. So, how much can somebody save on gas mileage by filling a tire with nitrogen?

Lawton: Well, various studies have been done by Ford Motors, Exxon Mobil has done studies as well. What we’re finding is savings up to ten percent on fuel and extended tire wear by up to 30 percent. This is significant information for consumers.

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How Maximum Tire Pressure and Saving Gas are Related

On January 10, 2013, in Fuel Efficiency, Proper Tire Pressure, by allisonmreilly
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saving gas and maximum tire pressureWe came across two articles about gas saving myths and gas saving tips, and both article recommended that keeping tires as maximum tire pressure is best for fuel efficiency. Although the articles are correct that overinflation and underinflation are harmful, the idea of maximum tire pressure could be misleading. Here’s why:

The Number on the Sidewall

Many mistakenly believe that the number on the sidewall is the recommended tire pressure for the tire. This is false, as the number is the maximum tire pressure the tire can handle, according to the manufacturer. For the recommended tire inflation pressure, check the label located on the driver’s door or the owner’s manual. This is why the idea of keeping tires at maximum tire pressure can be misleading. Maximum tire pressure is overinflation, as it’s not recommended. The pressure label on the tire also does not indicate the manufacturer’s recommended tire inflation pressure, nor does it indicate the proper air pressure based on the vehicle the tire is mounted on.

If You Have Road Noise or an Extra Bumpy Ride, Your Tires aren’t at Proper Tire Pressure

The articles also state that with maximum tire pressure, you’ll have a bumpier ride and a bit more road noise, but you’ll also have the improved fuel efficiency so it’s a nice trade-off. This is also not true, because bumps and noise means that your tires aren’t at their proper tire pressure, so you are probably wasting gas instead of operating at top fuel efficiency. This is because tires that are over- or underinflated do not have the right contact with the road, destroying your tires and ruining your fuel inefficiency. The picture below demonstrates this phenomenon, where it’s obvious to see that without proper tire pressure, no aspect of your tires or your driving (which includes fuel efficiency, handling, tire life etc.) is at its best.

overinflated tires

What’s the Right Tire Pressure for Optimum Fuel Efficiency?

The proper tire pressure is what’s recommended, which as can be found in the owner’s manual or on the driver’s door (as previously stated). Do not go by the sidewall or your friend’s recommendation or what you feel is the right tire pressure. It’s also important to check your tire pressure regularly, and to make those checks when your tires are cool, so not right after you’ve come home and certainly not at the air pump at the gas station. You will have a more accurate reading when your tires are cool.

The best way to maintain proper tire pressure and to have optimum fuel efficiency is with nitrogen tire inflation. Nitrogen-filled tires maintain proper tire pressure for longer periods of time, which means you get that fuel efficiency boost without that bumpy ride and without overinflating your tires. Of course, nitrogen-filled tires still need to have their pressure checked regularly. Sure, they may take longer to lose their pressure, but that doesn’t mean that they never, ever lose it.

What’s the True Tire Pressure/Gas Saving Tip?

The accurate gas saving tip is to make sure that your tires are at proper tire pressure, the one that is recommended in the owner’s manual or on the driver’s door. You don’t ever want to be at maximum tire pressure, and you certainly don’t want to be using tires that are worn. Also, make it a habit to check your tire pressure regularly, and get nitrogen-filled tires if you can.

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Happy Holidays from Nitronomics!

On December 27, 2012, in Uncategorized, by allisonmreilly
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happy new yearHappy holidays from everyone at Nitronomics! Hope everyone had a safe and wonderful Christmas/Hannukah/Kwanzaa, and see you in 2013!

 

How Older Drivers Can Earn Lower Insurance Rates

On December 20, 2012, in Guest Posts, by allisonmreilly
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Senior Drivers can Earn Lower Insurance Rates

This is a guest post from Scott Grayson.

It is no secret that our reflexes slow down as we age. Psychologists and other researchers have determined that as we age, our cognitive ability to consider our surroundings and make appropriate decisions slows down significantly after age 65.

Many gerontologists and psychologists today believe we can train our brains to improve our response times. After reviewing data from a University of Kentucky study on brain games and aging adults, Dr. Susan Whitbourne, Ph.D., said the results showed it is possible to “overcome the effects of aging on the mind and body through exercise, practice, and just plain determination”. Another encouraging finding of the study was that improvements were still evident two years after participants discontinued brain-training activities.

Aging Affects Older Drivers

Just slowing the deficits that naturally come with aging is a phenomenal benefit for older citizens who want to remain engaged in an active lifestyle. Recently, new benefits are available to older adults who take an active role in monitoring their personal-response times.

Jerry Edgerton, a columnist and contributor for CBS News, reported on pilot programs targeted at older drivers sponsored by coverage providers. The pilot programs engaged older drivers in brain-training exercises designed to improve the peripheral-vision field, thereby improving response time and reaction to dangerous-driving conditions. Insurance companies are responding positively to the pilot studies.

Lower Premiums

Along with the benefits of lower rates through brain training, companies offer tips to keep your good-driving record. Drivers should take an active role to ensure they enjoy vehicle insurance discounts.

Here are a few tips on how you can ensure that you are maintaining safe driving habits while holding onto your right to stay on the road.

  • Drive the speed limit – Too slow is just as dangerous as too fast.
  • Keep informed about current laws – Watch for new stop lights and speed-limit changes in your town.
  • Take a driving course designed for people over the age of 55 – Courses are available online and in a classroom setting in most areas.
  • Evaluate your car for comfort and function – Be sure the car is not too large or two small, check for blind spots, adjust your seat for the best vision field around you.

Use Tools for Aging Drivers

It might seem as if it’s a sign of getting older to use anti-lock braking systems and lane-departure warning systems, but not a sign of weakness. Age offers experience and intelligence and the appreciation for safety, which is why AAA offers anti-lock braking systems at a special discount to the elderly.

Another handy tip to keep in mind is filling your tires with Nitrogen. Popular Mechanic’s Mike Allen suggests that since Nitrogen is less likely to migrate through rubber than oxygen, keeping air pressure in a tire that is filled with Nitrogen will be stronger for a longer period of time, which cuts the likelihood of having to change a flat tire in half.

These safety tips are designed help drivers of all ages practice safer driving habits while on the road. If you are considering a new car, make this part of your discussion with the sales agent. Contact your policy agent or auto dealer for information about your car’s technology. Understanding how these systems work will offer you a safer and, in the end, a more enjoyable driving experience.

Aging drivers over the age of 65 will become the largest driver pool in our nation within 15 years. Finding ways to improve their safety on the road, while working with their waning reflexes, means a safer driving experience for them and everyone else who shares the road with them.

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Some of the Wackiest Arguments Against Nitrogen Tire Inflation

On December 13, 2012, in Nitrogen in Tires Myths, Nitrogen Tire Inflation, Proper Tire Pressure, by allisonmreilly
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nitrogen tire inflationWe’ve done out best to bust nitrogen tire inflation myths and other arguments against the practice. Some of these arguments are understandable and logical, but others are just plain wacky. These wacky arguments skew the discussion because some people may believe them, leading them to thinking nitrogen tire inflation is a scam because nitrogen tire dealers and providers are making wild claims about the practice. Not only are dealers and providers not making these claims (we can’t speak for the mechanic or the salesperson, but we assure that those who sell the equipment aren’t making these claims), but these claims are just wrong. Here are a few them that we found and would like to bust right now:

As for moisture, changes in humidity affect tire performance two ways. First, the density of humid air fluctuates more with temperature than that of dry air, so removing humidity can keep your tire pressure more consistent, especially when the temperature climbs over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. That may be a legitimate concern in Formula One racing, but it’s not much of an issue if you’re just tooling around town. – The Straight Dope

The density of humid air has nothing to do with tire performance. Humid air is bad for your tires because it is humid, because the water vapor is very susceptible to temperature changes and causes the tire pressure to fluctuate. This also happens at temperatures below 100 degrees Fahrenheit because as you drive, you heat up the tires, no matter what the temperature is on the outside. They’re moving, there’s friction, and all that creates heat. All this is a concern if you’re just tooling around town, because tooling around town creates heat as well, and the water vapor in your tires is still reacting.

Another claim I’ve seen is that since nitrogen is slightly lighter than air, you’ll save weight and get better performance. However, we’re talking about a weight difference of less than 4 percent of the gas in the tire – in other words, a difference of less than an ounce for most vehicles. – Also The Straight Dope

We have no idea who said this, but the better performance from nitrogen doesn’t come from saving weight. It comes from the fact that nitrogen maintains proper tire pressure for a longer period of time, and its the proper tire pressure that creates better performance and handling.

The argument for using Nitrogen in your car tires is this: Air and Nitrogen would compress at different rates depending on temperature, with air being more squishy than Nitrogen, and that would cause your tires’ pressure to vary more with air than with Nitrogen. – Scienceblogs.com

More squishy? What does that even mean? Just because this argument is coming from a science blog doesn’t meant that it’s scientifically sound.

Proper inflation is the real issue. Under-inflated tires reduce gas mileage. They flatten out, creating more surface area and thus adding friction, which makes the engine work harder. The extra friction, and resulting heat, also increases the chance of a blowout. A properly inflated tire is always safer and more efficient than under-inflated shoes (unless you’re driving across a sand dune). – The Truth about Cars

If only it were this simple. Since air-filled tires are much more susceptible to temperature changes, there are chances for an inaccurate reading when checking the tire pressure of an air-filled tire. For example, if a consumer stops at a gas station after spending some time running errands and driving around, and decides to check their tire pressure, it’s likely that they’ll get a reading that is higher than what the tire pressure really is. The reason is the tires have been heated up from the previous driving,

This could mean that the consumer gets a reading that says their tire pressure is fine, or is too high, and will do nothing about a tire that’s really low or will make it low by releasing pressure to compensate for the high reading. This is why it’s recommended to check tire pressure when the tires a cool, such as before starting the car or after being parked for a few hours. Since tire pressure ought to be checked when the tires are cool, this means that tires would need to be refilled at home with an at-home air compressor (since most people would have to drive to the gas station to get to their air compressor, heating up the tires and ruining the reading).

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