Green.......Tires??? I was driving by my favorite local tire and automobile service store, CJ's Tire and Auto, and saw a sign they had out front. It said: "Got Nitrogen"!

For those of us who are 'chemically challenged', Nitrogen comprises 78% of our atmosphere and is one of the most 'inert' gases.

I remembered back about a year and a half ago when replacing the four tires on my wife's van, the service advisor suggested I try using 'Nitrogen' instead of the customary 'air' to inflate the tires. At a cost of $2.00 per tire I asked him 'what are the benefits'?

With Nitrogen, the tires run much cooler especially on long trips or at highway speeds. This would manifest itself in better gas mileage and longer tire wear. Not to mention the safety factor in the tires operating at cooler temperatures.

With tires, cooler is better than hot!

On the negative side, Nitrogen is not as widely available as regular air. But in a pinch, regular air can be mixed with Nitrogen with no problems.

The good news is that after the initial $2.00 per tire inflation charge, additional Nitrogen will be supplied at 'no charge' at any of their facilities...and they're as conveniently placed in our area as McDonalds!

As a practical matter, the valve cap is 'green colored' as opposed to the normal 'black'! This helps identify that Nitrogen is being used in that particular tire!

By the way, if you're still not convinced, while on a long trip over Interstate highways after stopping for my first fuel fillup at over 400 continuous miles...the tires were not only 'not hot'...but actually cool to the touch. Don't try this on conventionally air inflated tires...they run quite hot!

As an aside the general handling is much better as well!

Give it a try!!!                         

10/26/2007---UPDATE---See article in the Wall Street Journal, today's edition on this subject. Remember, You heard it here on AR first!