Heir to air? Nitrogenas tire-pressure stabilizer

ON TRACK What’s new in the business

Edited by Joan Mooney

TIRES FILL ’ER UTIRES FILL ’ER UP—WITH NITROGEN, VERSUS OXYGEN?

Potential gas-cost savings has led some customers to ll their tires with nitrogeninstead of air, says service manager Dennis Murray, Lexus of Omaha (Nebr.),which has offered the option since April.

“It’s saving them gas by stabilizing the pressure,” says Murray, who has foundno downside. It also reduces tire wear and, some say, results in a smootherride. Using nitrogen can save customers 3.3 percent a year on gas costs, saysRobin Robin Pearl, founder of nitrogen machine maker N2 Revolution, Sunrise, Fla.

The dealership charges $49.95 for lifetime ination of a vehicle’s four tires.(The store paid about $10,000 for the nitrogen machine.)—Vanessa Caceres