AUTOMOTIVE
Nitrogen, to pump you up
NASA has been using it for years. So
have airlines and Formula 1 race
teams, as well as the military. Now
Costco Tire Centers are also using nitrogen,
instead of compressed air, to inflate tires.
Nitrogen is a noncombustible, nonflammable, dry gas. It is as safe as compressed air
for use in tire application. In fact, you’re
breathing it right now, as about 78 percent of
the air we breathe is nitrogen.
explains Robert Moyer, director of Costco’s
Tire Centers. He says two industry-related
factors have recently changed to allow consumer outlets to use nitrogen: Tire manufacturers have finally approved nitrogen for use
in passenger and light truck tires, and nitrogen has only recently become affordable for
tire retailers.
“Because nitrogen better stabilizes inflation pressure in tires, we have been looking
into using nitrogen inflation units for years,”
Properly inflated tires maximize vehicle
handling, tire life and gas mileage. That’s why
Costco is among the first consumer tire outlets
to invest in nitrogen inflation systems. According to Robert, a tire inflated with air loses 1 to
Costco Tire Center’s new nitrogen service
stabilizes tire inflation pressure better than
air, resulting in improved vehicle handling,
better gas mileage, longer tire life and
reduced rim and valve damage.
Nitrogen...
The right choice
for Tire Inflation
With Nitrogen in your tires
instead of “plain old air”,
you’ll maximize your vehicle’s
handling, fuel efficiency and tire life.
• Better Tire Pressure Retention
• Improved Fuel Economy
• Cooler Running Tires
Nitrogen
Tire Inflation Systems
“The Right Choice”
Branick Industries,Inc. • 4245Main Avenue • Fargo,ND 58103 • 800-437-4394 • www.branick.com
2 psi of inflation pressure per month. This is
because the composite materials used to construct tires are not completely impermeable.
Oxygen molecules in air “migrate” out of tires.
Because nitrogen molecules are larger, they
migrate out three to four times slower than
oxygen molecules. That makes a significant
difference. Tests Costco has conducted show
that tires inflated with nitrogen stay properly
inflated more than six months.
Another factor that affects tire inflation is
the ambient air temperature. Because nitrogen is a dry, inert gas, it helps minimize temperature fluctuations. It also prevents
corrosion and rust caused by moisture in air-filled tires.
“Costco Tire Centers have always given
members great prices and service,” says
Robert. “Our investment in nitrogen inflation
units is just the next logical step in maintaining that commitment.” C
Can you see the light?
When you need to throw some serious
light on the subject, the Cyclops
rechargeable spotlight can help. This 10-
million-candlepower spotlight delivers
super-bright clean light through its 100-
watt quartz halogen bulb.
It features two power levels: low, which
is like a small flashlight, and high, a powerful spotlight. The rechargeable 12-volt battery is housed in a durable rubberized
casing that has an adjustable swivel stand
and a removable carrying strap.
When fully charged, the
light will burn for 60 minutes in the high setting and
70 minutes in the low setting. It includes a home
quick-charger and a 12-volt DC
car charger. C
