aftermath wrote:
Thermoguy wrote:
Huntindog -
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If you have ever priced tires at Costco, they are typically a little less than the local Discount Tire or similar tire shop. And you get the benefit of Nitrogen, standard. By the way, their installation price is typically lower than other shops as well. So, the idea that you are "paying for it" is absurd.
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Some day you will see the benefit - and since it is free, it definitely out weighs the argument that you are "paying for it".
And here it is. You mentioned the word "benefit"(twice actually) and that is the issue. When they can convince you that it is indeed a benefit, then they can bring in more customers. Costco sells in quantity and they can offer good prices. Tack on a "benefit" that few other tire stores offer and people will line up. Why don't other big tire distributors fill with nitrogen? Ask them and see what they say. Personally, I don't like being played. I can't say that I will never buy tires at Costco and if they want to fill my tires with Nitrogen, go ahead. It will do no harm but I am not expecting huge benefits either.
I think this thread has gotten out of hand. From some of the comments it seems like some of you would take your nitrogen filled tires, let 1/2 the air out and refill with "normal" air... Not sure why you don't see the advantages. Although, initially I admitted I don't see a benefit for a trailer or truck tire.
Back to my experience. I had 2 vehicles with low profile performance tires. It was recommended by a performance tire place and friend that rebuilds sport cars to fill with nitrogen - which they offered. Because I paid them to exchange my winter tires to my summer - low profile - tires, they went ahead and filled with Nitrogen. Originally they quoted me like $5 for the Nitrogen, but ended up not charging me for either car. Again, with my experience, having gone through 2 sets of tires on the vehicle - same Michelin tire. The first set I got almost 80K miles out of the tires, second set just over 40K miles. So, better mileage, better performance - AWD sports car, and really never had to think about tire pressure. On the second set of tires, I noticed that the tire pressure fluctuated more with highway driving and in different weather. Just my experience, not a scientific study. My next point was that Costco fills with Nitrogen. It's not something they boast about, just something mentioned when you look at the tire service. Since their price is lower than other local sellers of Michelin and I have had favorable experience with Nitrogen, I see that as a win win, and no extra cost to me. If you think there is a cost past on to you with that service, then you have me there. I don't think the tires would have been less if they had a different compressor, but I don't work in their finance department.
So, to put a nail in this coffin, to each his own. If you want to know about a favorable experience with nitrogen, then that is why I wrote on this thread. If you think it is smoke and mirrors, then by all means deflate your nitrogen tires and refill them.
