A vote for nitrogen

I wish to comment on the two articles in your Nov. 20 issue which referred to the Rubber Manufacturers Association's (RMA) statement concerning the use of nitrogen as a tire inflation gas.

The first story was on the release of the RMA bulletin and the second was a Tire Business editorial.

Anyone reading the first article and not reading the editorial would have been left with the impression that nitrogen tire inflation was a total waste of time, based on the RMA's service bulletin. It was totally negative and should not have been published.

The editorial was more of a retraction of the RMA's views and did much to correct the negativity of the RMA's stance.

Going on to read the full RMA text, I was struck by the statement that “nitrogen inflation is not required (my emphasis), however nitrogen inflation is permissible, as its properties may contribute to minor reductions in inflation pressure loss.”

What hogwash! Space exploration is not required; neither is an ongoing investigation into the origins and treatment of bird flu. Should we consider these endeavors to be not required because many of the benefits are not immediately recognizable?

Once more we are being told that we are all idiots and that we cannot be trusted to take the simplest precautions with regard to our own safety.

Obviously, the installation of nitrogen will not make our tires puncture proof. But through maintaining the correct pressure for longer periods of time, it will ensure protection against road hazards that would seriously damage an underinflated tire.

The benefits of increased mileage, more safety and better overall control of the vehicle through use of nitrogen in its tires have all been proven over the past few years.

It cost me $44 to install nitrogen in the five tires of my Town Car. It is an investment that I am happy to have made.

The pressure has not varied by even 1 psi since inflation three months ago.

Happily, more and more independent tire dealers are installing nitrogen generators, so if and when a top up is required, the service is readily available.

Costco Wholesale Corp. continues to provide the installation of nitrogen free of charge, but a tire purchase is necessary.

Because of the quality of the original equipment tires provided on my car and the installation of nitrogen, Costco's service should not be required for a very long time. I do, however, congratulate them on being the pioneers of nitrogen availability in the U.S.

Everard G. Scott

President

Harmony Hall Inc.

Margate, Fla.

Nice job

I believe that your publication is by far one of the most informative on the market.

You usually have the most up-to-date information and present that information in a clear, easy-to-understand format. Thanks for the past and keep up the good work in the future!

Don Collins

Salesman

Custom Tire Inc.

Springfield, Ohio