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4 Ways to Winterize Your Tires Before February

On January 19, 2012, in Nitrogen Tire Inflation, Tire Care, by allisonmreilly
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proper tire careWinter is finally here! Many places have seen at least one snowfall, and temperatures are dropping. If you haven’t yet taken the time to prepare your tires for the cold weather ahead, then it’s time to get started. Here are four ways to get your tires ready for the weeks ahead, and to ensure that you will be safe when driving this winter:

  1. Consider Using Snow Tires – This may be an obvious one if you live in a snowy climate, but snow tires are also a good idea if roads in your area tend to get icy or slippery. Tires that are worn will have a tougher time handling slick streets. Winter tires provide much more traction then normal all-season tires, so if you’re unsure if your tires are worn or not, take the cautious approach and make the switch to snow tires. When the weather warms up, get your all-season tires checked.
  2. Use Tire Chains for Even Tougher Conditions– Tire chains aren’t necessary for everyone, but are a good idea if you know you’ll be driving a long way this winter, or if conditions in your area are expected to be especially brutal. Tire chains are accessories you can install at home that keep the tires in contact with the surface of the road during especially wintry conditions.
  3. Check Your Current Tires for Damage – If you decide to use tire chains, snow tires, or risk it with all-season tires, make sure to check them for damage. This includes taking a look at the sidewall for cracks and checking to see if they are too old. Driving with damaged tires is just about as bad as driving with worn tires or under-inflated tires. And, speaking of which…
  4. Check Your Tire Pressure – Snow tires and tire chains won’t mean much if they are, or are being used, on under-inflated tires. Make sure your tires are at the proper tire pressure, and to check tires when they are cold, not right after a drive. One of the best ways to maintain proper tire pressure for a longer period is to use nitrogen in your tires instead of regular air.

We here at Nitrofleet99 are conscious of tire safety and maintenance, and wish our customers to drive safe this season. As much as we tout the benefits of nitrogen tire inflation, the practice is not a replacement for regular tire safety and maintenance.

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Give Your Tires Some TLC This Christmas

On December 22, 2011, in Nitrogen Tire Inflation, Proper Tire Pressure, Tire Care, by allisonmreilly
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Nitrogen Tire Inflation

Nitrogen tire inflation is a good way to provide your tires the tender, loving care they need.

According to a recent survey from Consumer Reports, 40 percent of drivers delay automotive maintenance. Forty-four percent of those who deferred work in the past year also admitted they felt the value, safety or reliability of the vehicle would suffer, with some saying the car was becoming an embarrassment. Do yourself, and your car, a favor this Christmas be giving a little TLC to your tires.

Providing the tender, loving care that your tires want and need can be as simple as checking them to make sure they are at the proper tire pressure. Checking your tire pressure is free is you already have a pressure gauge, or a few dollars if you don’t. If you realize that your tire pressure is low, then you might want to consider topping them off with nitrogen tire inflation instead of the air at a gas station.

Yes, the air is cheaper, and in this economy, people are looking for any and all ways to cut costs. However, with tire inflation, like most things in life, you get what you pay for. Filling your tires with nitrogen instead of regular air is something to consider, especially if you’re planning on having your car, and your tires, for a long long time.

Compounding the issue of deferred automotive repair and maintenance is the fact that drivers are holding onto their vehicles longer – the average age of vehicles on the road today is nine years old. Many of the respondents in the Consumer Reports survey bought their cars used, and have owned them for at least five years with the intent to hold on to that vehicle for another five. If you want your tires to last as long as your car, then you’re going to need to invest in nitrogen tire inflation.

Many people buy Christmas presents for themselves, so if that’s you, instead of new clothes or an iPad, consider putting that money into your vehicle and into your tires. Sure, the iPad is a lot more fun and shiny, but the tablet doesn’t take you to and from work.

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October is National Car Care Month

On October 20, 2011, in Nitrogen Tire Inflation, Proper Tire Pressure, Tire Care, by allisonmreilly
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national car care month

While he’s at it, ask him to top off your tires with nitrogen.

Take Care of Your Car with Nitrogen Tire Inflation

October is National Car Care Month, and with the colder temperatures starting to creep into cities all across the country, now’s the best time to perform some care maintenance before the weather becomes severe. Even though there’s only a week and a half left in October, there’s still time to include a little tender loving care for you vehicle.

One of the best ways to prepare for the winter months and to take care of your ar is to take care of your tires. AAA said on KEZI9  that the number one thing you can do to improve your gas mileage is to make sure your tires are inflated to the manufacturer’s recommendations. If tires are under-inflated by even a pound, it can take reduce fuel efficiency by two percent per tire. Having all of your tires at proper tire pressure can boost your fuel efficiency by three percent. So, which one do you want: a negative eight percent in fuel efficiency, or a positive three percent in fuel efficiency? Hopefully, the latter.

To figure out the manufacturer’s recommendations for proper tire pressure, take a look at the owner’s manual for the vehicle, and not on the tire’s sidewall. A good time to check your tires is right before you get into the car to drive it for the first time of the day. Checking them right after you’ve driven can offer skewed results, since the heat from driving can change the pressure. If all that seems to difficult, you can take your car to an auto mechanic and do the regular tune up. Either way, a good way to keep your tire tuned up for a longer period of time, and through the winter months, is through nitrogen tire inflation.

The pure nitrogen that is used in nitrogen tire inflation systems is much more resistant to temperature changes, much more so than regular air. That’s because regular air contains water vapor, which will cause your tire pressure to change when the temperatures begin to fall. Not only will nitrogen boost fuel efficiency, but it will make your tires better for the cold weather coming up (if it hasn’t already arrived). It’ll be one less thing to worry about when driving this winter.

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Prepping Your Tires for the Winter Season

On October 6, 2011, in Nitrogen Tire Inflation, Tire Care, by allisonmreilly
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prepping tires for winter

Keep your tires winter-friendly with these few tips.

Sure, fall just got here, but let’s not wait until the snow falls before we start to prepare our tires for the winter months. Especially if you live in a part of the country where the switch from summer to winter can be quick, there’s not a whole lot of time before winter is upon is. Here are a few things to do to prepare your tires for the upcoming cold and harsh weather:

  • Check Them for Cracks, Damage, and Other Tread Wear – This should apply for both your summer tires and your winter tires. You wouldn’t want to switch to damaged tires on your vehicle, or have damaged tires on your car in case of a sudden snowstorm. A great way to see if your tires need replaced is to use the penny trick. Stick a penny in between your tire treads. If you still see Lincoln’s head in its entirety, then your tires legally need to be replaced.
  • Get Them Properly Inflated – This would include your spare tire as well as your winter tires. Make sure to go by the owner’s manual and not by the sidewall to find the recommended tire pressure for your tires. To keep your tires at the proper pressure for a longer period time, and to have them resist the colder temperatures better, than use nitrogen tire inflation. While regular air will cause tire pressure to  fluctuate as temperatures begin to change over the next few months, pure nitrogen will keep them at the proper pressure longer and more consistently.
  • Have Emergency Gear on Hand – Emergency gear would include the tools necessary to change a tire, as well as extra clothing to keep yourself warm, just in case you have to make a change when it’s 10 degrees outside. By extra clothing, we mean gloves, a warm jacket, a blanket, and some snow shoes. It would also be smart to have an ice scraper, a snow shovel and a flashlight on hand to make it easier for you to navigate around your car.
  • Know What to Do In Case of an Emergency – This means knowing to do more than to hit the OnStar button or to call roadside assistance. This means knowing how to set up emergency flares or hazard triangles so other drivers can see you. It also means knowing how to use a first aid kit in case someone gets hurt and rescue workers are delayed for whatever reason.
Overall, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Although the weather is nice now and many of us are still safe, we shouldn’t wait until driving condition become dangerous before we start prepare ourselves and our tires for the conditions.
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Preparing Teens to Drive: What You May Have Missed

On September 29, 2011, in Nitrogen Tire Inflation, Proper Tire Pressure, Tire Care, by allisonmreilly
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preparing teens to drive

Teen driving should also include how to take care of a vehicle.

When parents prepare their teens for driving and the driver’s test, what sort of things are covered? Well, things like maneuvering the vehicle, reading street signs and lane markings, and preparing for both the written exam and the driver’s exam. Although those things are certainly important, they certainly don’t make up the whole picture when it comes to driving.

Something that’s often missed is car maintenance. This is something that really ought to be covered, especially if parents plan to purchase a separate vehicle for their teens (actually, this might be a good idea even if you plan to share your vehicles with your newly licensed children). After all, what’s the point of the license if you don’t have a well-maintained vehicle to drive? Wouldn’t it be a good idea for your teen to know what to do in case an emergency happens, like if a tire goes flat or the oil starts to leak?

When educating your teen on car maintenance, a good place to start is with the tires. A car can’t go anywhere unless the tires are properly maintained, and it’s better for you and your teens to know when they need to be maintained instead of waiting for a flat or blowout to happen. Make sure to educate your teen about proper tire pressure and on how to fill up a tire if it’s below pressure. If the car your teen will be driving has a spare, make sure to let them know that it’s there, and that it needs to be checked for proper tire pressure as well. Having proper tire pressure will improve fuel efficiency, which will be a good thing to keep in mind. Filling up the tank can burn a hole in the wallet of a teen. If unsure about your teen keeping up with filling the tires, then utilize nitrogen tire inflation to keep the tires properly inflated for a longer period of time.

Next, show them underneath the hood. You don’t need to have the mind of a mechanic, or expect your teen to have one, but your teen should at least know his or her way around. Point out the basics, such as the battery, the engine, the alternator, the transmission, and the radiator. If you know how, show them how to jump start or to change the battery. Also, show them how to replace or to refill the necessary liquids, such as the oil, the coolant, and the washer fluid.

Finally, educate your teen about the emergency kit and the insurance, in case they are pulled over or something happens at night. The emergency kit should include flares, a blanket, and emergency triangles. An emergency kit can easily be purchased at a car parts or auto repair shop. As for the insurance and registration, show them where those are located in the vehicle and what to do to keep those up-to-date. In case your teen gets pulled over, or gets in a minor accident, having the insurance and registration on hand will make things easier for everyone.

Of course, all that good information won’t be able to apply until the teen gets his or her driver’s license. One way to prepare is through some free DMV practice tests. Another way to get out on the road, practicing on both the highway and in busy intersections. Overall, learning to drive a car also needs to come with learning how to maintain it, and learning what to if a breakdown or an emergency arises.

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Why Nitrogen?

On August 25, 2011, in Nitrogen Tire Inflation, Proper Tire Pressure, by allisonmreilly
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nitrogen tire inflation

Why is nitrogen used for tire inflation, versus air and other gases?

We’ve talked a lot about nitrogen tire inflation. After all, that is what we’re all about. But, we need to answer the question of “Why Nitrogen?” Why use nitrogen and not helium, carbon, or argon? If the point of nitrogen tire inflation is to reduce the amount of oxygen in the tires, then why do we specifically need nitrogen to accomplish that?

Nitrogen molecules have a more difficult time escaping through the microscopic spaces that exist between a tire’s rubber molecules. Nitrogen is a “slow”, inert gas due to its nonreactive nature with many materials. However, oxygen is a “fast” active gas that reacts with many materials. This reaction is a process called “oxidation.”  Additionally, nitrogen is a dry gas that doesn’t support moisture while oxygen combined with hydrogen makes water (H2O). So, even though air is already 78% nitrogen, that 21% of oxygen is enough to do long-term damage to your tires. Again, nitrogen seems like the most natural fit for tire inflation, but is it really the best fit, or the only fit?

Well, nitrogen is a denser gas than oxygen (and helium and carbon), so that explains why it does a better job of maintaining tire pressure than regular air. Consumers can benefit from the more stable pressures, even more so than the fact that your tires are safer with proper tire pressure. The problem is that humidity (aka water) is a horrible thing to have inside a tire. Water, present as a vapor or even as a liquid in a tire, causes more of a pressure change with temperature swings than dry air does. It also promotes corrosion of the steel or aluminum rim.

However, humidity doesn’t get in there through oxygen and the elements. It gets in there through the regular air systems you find at gas stations. Popular Mechanics remarks that some gas stations don’t do a very good job of keeping the humidity out of their air system. If your tires go unchecked, they can accumulate a lot of water, varying the tire pressure even more so than simple temperature changes.
Nitrogen tire inflation provides a good fix for this. Any system that delivers pure nitrogen is also going to deliver dry nitrogen. Filling tires with nitrogen involves filling and purging several times in succession, diluting the concentration of oxygen in the tire. This will also remove any water.

Sure, filling your tires with nitrogen will cost a little money, since you need to have it specially done. We’ve demonstrated in a previous post that the practice is worth the money in the long run. But, why does it have to cost money? Aren’t air and gases free? Well, they are free to acquire, but it does take time and labor to acquire. You simply can’t just put it in a jar. Nitrogen and other gases have to go in special tanks so they can be used appropriately.

Which brings us to the question of why nitrogen for tire inflation over the other gases. As previously stated, it 78% of the air is nitrogen, making it an incredibly abundant gas. The third most abundant gas is argon, which makes up 0.93% of the world’s atmosphere. Can you imagine how much it would cost to fill your tires with argon!?! It would certainly be an exorbitant amount of money, since it would be difficult to acquire and it would take a long time to acquire enough to fill up some tires. Nitrogen is not only the best fit, but it works out nicely due to it’s large quantities and density to be much more affordable than using any other gas.

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Nitrogen Tire Inflation Worth the Additional Cost

On July 21, 2011, in Fuel Efficiency, Nitrogen Tire Inflation, by allisonmreilly
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nitrogen tire inflation

Why wait to be like this guy before doing something about your tires, when you can do something about it now with nitrogen tire inflation?

We came across an article from Fox Business that debunked the benefits of nitrogen tire inflation. The article claimed that since you can’t slow air leakage from your tires, inflating them with nitrogen isn’t worth the $5 per tire cost. It also claimed that since studies couldn’t definitively conclude that nitrogen slows the oxidation and deterioration of your tire, it ought not to be considered a benefit.

Here at Nitronomics, we think that this Fox article from 2010 is missing the big picture. These benefits make a huge difference if you manage a fleet a vehicles for a company. The benefits have already been seen in law enforcement. Although a typical consumer doesn’t have a fleet of vehicles to manage, it only takes one dose of nitrogen tire inflation to see the difference and to better protect oneself against flats and tire blowouts. Especially in this busy summer travel season, where people more likely to experience a tire problem or to be driving on an under inflated tire (or more) since people are more likely to be driving longer distances. For a consumer, it only takes one flat or blowout to eat up a lot of time and money. Why wait until an emergency before doing something about it? After all, intelligent people solve problems, but geniuses prevent them.

So what if it may cost a little bit a money? That’s money well spent if it prevents an blowout from happening on the highway, where lives are at risk. It’s also money well spent if it saves money in the long run, which it does by boosting your fuel efficiency and extending the life of your tires. That’s less money on gas and tire replacement. Nitrogen tire inflation is like many other goods and services in life. You get what you pay for. If you’re willing to spend the money now in due diligence, it’ll pay off in the long run. Choose to scrimp now, and you might end up paying a very different price.

To learn more about the practice of nitrogen tire inflation, check out nitrogen tire dealer Nitrofleet99.

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Hybrid Tires for Hybrid Vehicles

On June 30, 2011, in Hybrid Tires, Nitrogen Tire Inflation, by allisonmreilly
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Hybrid cars are the newest thing in consumer vehicles, and are growing in popularity. Electric, plug-in and hybrid vehicles could garner a collective 90 percent market share by 2030, according a Clean Energy Innovation Study. Here’s an infographic from the Atlantic that shows how a hybrid vehicle works and what all the fuss is about:

The only thing missing from these hybrid vehicles are some hybrid tires, tires that help the environment as much as the cars do. Sure, there are low-resistance tires that are specific to hybrids, but these tires aren’t hybrid in and of themselves and actually don’t perform very well. One way to get hybrid tires is to make them yourself with nitrogen tire inflation. By putting nitrogen in your tires instead of regular air, you extend the life of the tire (meaning less tires in landfills) and improve your fuel efficiency (meaning less use of fossil fuels and a smaller carbon footprint).

Nitrogen tire inflation is something that’s already being used by NASCAR, the airline industry, and the military, so it’s not at all a new concept or a new technology. The new part about it is that more and more consumer drivers are putting nitrogen in their tires. And why not? Studies show that it’s a good practice for tire maintenance in the long run. If you want inflate your tires with nitrogen, then a good brand is Nitrofleet99, which serves the consumer market in many locations across the country.

So, what do you say? If you’re driving a hybrid vehicle, why not drive it on hybrid tires as well?

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More Auto Makers are Ditching Spare Tires: What You Can Do to Make up that Difference

On June 23, 2011, in Nitrogen Tire Inflation, Proper Tire Pressure, Tire Care, by allisonmreilly
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Nitrogen Tire Inflation

Automakers are taking away spares that are used to solve problems like this. Be proactive about flat tires with nitrogen tire inflation.

Automakers are now opting for tire repair kits and run-flat tires instead of spare tires, saying this move will increase fuel efficiency, reduce weight, lower costs, and conveniently leave consumers with more room in their trunks. According to a Los Angeles Times review of data and specifications, about 13% of the more than one million vehicles sold in the U.S. did not offer an extra tire as standard equipment. And that’s just in the last month.

“All manufacturers are looking at this,” said Alan Batey, U.S. vice president of Chevrolet sales and service. “This is one opportunity to get weight out of vehicles and make them more fuel efficient… It will take some time for people to understand this technology.”

Here are some of the new models that will not come with a spare tire:

  • Chevrolet Cruze (tire sealant and inflator kit standard, optional compact spare tire and spare wheel available on all but Cruze Eco)
  • Chevrolet Malibu (tire sealant and inflator kit standard, optional compact spare tire and spare wheel available on all models)
  • 2012 Buick Regal GS (and upcoming e-Assist hybrid versions of Regal and LaCrosse); note the 2011 Buick CXL and CXL Turbo come with standard 16-inch and 17-inch compact spare tire, respectively
  • 2012 Kia Optima (some versions, according to the Los Angeles Times)
  • BMW (run-flat tires standard on nearly every model, according to Edmunds)

AAA expects 1.2 million people will call for help this summer. Many will be flats, but the agency says that many of those could be avoided if people took care of their tires properly. Flat tire roadside assistance increased 2% last year after declining for many years. Local AAA officials said they did not know the reason for the increase. Why wait until a flat tire or a blowout to realize you don’t have a spare tire? Something you can do right now to prevent yourself from being one of those 1.2 million people is to give your tires a tune up with nitrogen tire inflation.

Having nitrogen in tires maintains proper tire pressure for a longer period of time, serving as better protection against those blowouts and flat tires. Putting nitrogen in tires also turns them into hybrid tires, extending the life of the tire and additionally increasing the fuel efficiency of your vehicle (along with the absence of a spare). If you are considering this option, a great nitrogen tire dealer is Nitrofleet99.

If you are one of those people who likes having the spare tire, they aren’t completely going away, yet, Some automakers are offering the option of a spare for an additional charge. If you have a spare, or are opting for the spare, make sure it retains its proper tire pressure like the rest of your tires with nitrogen tire inflation.

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Video: Nitrogen in Motorcycles

On June 16, 2011, in Nitrogen Tire Inflation, Video, by allisonmreilly
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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaGoe1j5RyQ&w=425&h=349]

The benefits of inflating your tires with nitrogen have been documented, and the practice is already in use by NASCAR, the airline industry, and the military. But, can motorcycle riders see the same benefits of nitrogen tire inflation as these big industries?

The answer is “Yes!” We at Nitrofleet99 recommend the use of nitrogen for all tires, including motorcycles, due to its benefits of extended tire life, better pressure retention, and thus improved fuel economy and more reliable handling. Tires should be filled with nitrogen to the same pressure that is recommended by the manufacturer for air. Watch the video to learn more.

With the summer travel season in full swing, it’s also recommended that motorcycle riders take extra safety precautions by having an inspection of their vehicle. This inspection should include checking the tire pressure and the tire conditions. At the inspection is the best time to try nitrogen tire inflation, topping off those tires to make them safer for the summer rides ahead.

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