Automotive dealerships are on the lookout for innovative technology that requires a minimum investment, while creating excitement, building customer retention, increasing profits. Nitrogen Tire Inflation utilizes a proven technology, which is easily understood, inexpensive to incorporate and quickly pays dividends. Nitrogen tire inflation has been used with great success in Europe, Asia, and South America for nearly a decade. Nitrogen improves tire performance, decreases gas consumption, and increases tire life. Many dealerships have converted to nitrogen in the past two years. 

The importance of maintaining proper tire inflation is well documented. Much of the earliest proof supporting nitrogen inflation comes from studies conducted by tire manufacturers working within the trucking industry. Goodyear’s Radial Truck Tire and Retread Service Manual states that under-inflated tires can reduce tread mileage by 8% causing a related decrease in fuel economy of 2.5%.  In Cummins’s MPG Guide the importance of maintaining proper tire inflation is strongly emphasized: for each 10 psi that a tire is under –inflated fuel efficiency is reduced by 1%. Cummin’s also noted that driving on under-inflated tires increases tire wear rates, creates irregular tread wear and reduces casing durability.

Tires inflated with nitrogen maintain pressure on the average four times longer than compressed air.  Nitrogen does not cause rubber to oxidize. When rubber oxides due to the corrosive power of oxygen,  tires lose elasticity and cannot support the weight of the car, or handle the forces it was created to endure. Therefore, filling the tire with nitrogen was found to increase the longevity, as well, as the integrity of the inner tire. Many tire manufactures, including Goodyear, Michelin, and Bridgestone, state in their technical bulletins, that nitrogen filled tires, retain pressure longer than those filled with compressed air.

Nitrogen inflation helps maximize fuel efficiency. Testing conducted by Jim Keiser of Wood County Bandag in Bowling Green, Ohio concludes, ”nitrogen will give you approximately one tenth of a mile per gallon more than air.”

What are dealerships saying about nitrogen tire inflation? “In the first month of operation, I did 250 nitrogen fills. The unit paid for itself in less than four weeks. Customers are asking for nitrogen, and benefiting from it. It is a great profit center for the back end of the business. We are incorporating nitrogen tire inflation into other programs at our dealerships to maximize profitability.” ; said Frank Brenner, Service Manager for R.I. Suresky & Son Chrysler, Dodger, Jeep, Hyundai. “Nitrogen tire inflation is a good profit center and absolutely has put more money to our bottom line.”  ; Mike Brienzi, Service Manager, Dorschel Automotive Group, Rochester, NY.  “We are installing nitrogen in new cars to help prevent false TPMS warnings, increase tire life and improve customer retention.”  ; Rick Depke, Operations and Service Director Larry Miller Toyota, Preoria, AZ. “Our nitrogen is making me about $100,000 clear on 1,500 cars. What a profit!” Bob Jackson, Dealer Principal Jackson Toyota, Barrie, Ontario

Why offer nitrogen tire inflation? First, the product will increase customer retention. Dealers can offer a lifetime inflation program that nets other repairs (wiper replacements, oil changes, tune ups, ect.) that are often turned over to the competition. Second, nitrogen is easy for customers to find when traveling, all of the current generators are listed on The Dealership Locator at www.getnitrogen.org. Third, false TPMS alarms triggered by under inflation are significantly reduced when tires are filled with nitrogen, resulting in an improvement in customer satisfaction reports. Fourth, as new vehicles arrive, filling the tires with nitrogen ensures that each automobile on the lot has been inspected and proven to have the proper tire pressure necessary for safe driving. Fifth, coupling nitrogen with other tire and wheel protection programs results in an increased revenues condition. Sixth, nitrogen can be readily attached to less profitable services. Seventh, nitrogen is an environmentally friendly alternative to compressed air. Filling tires with this gas will decrease energy demands and green house gases.

Exclusively Online March 2009