Nitrogen Inflation a Rip-off?

[Grip Fast]

I had to have 4 new tyres fitted to my car the other day, and I've just looked at the breakdown of the bill. £1.50 per tyre, including the spare I assume since it was 5 x, for nitrogen inflation.

What the hell (pardon my French) use is pure nitrogen in ordinary car road tyres. I wouldn't even consider it in a high performance road bike. From what I have read, the benefits of inflating tyres with nitrogen are so miniscule that it makes zero practical difference. And every time I check them, I am going to foot pump air (yes containing something like 80% nitrogen) into them. But to rip me off by three pints of beer to put pure nitrogen in my tyres is, like well wrong.

Discuss!

P.S. yes I am Scottish (I think I am allowed to say that???)

[cornishflat]

They should at least ask before applying the rip off. As you say it serves no purpose whatsoever.......and i,m a free spending Cornishman with short arms and deep pockets.

[tanneman]

I think this Nitrogen thing in cars/bikes is a bit overdone. Sure if you have a track car or bike it might be worth it but more beneficial to race teams. Pure Nitrogen is inert meaning no corrosion if you fill a space with it and it is less sensitive to atmospheric pressure and temperature changes hence why it is used to inflate aircraft tyres. Unless you buy a cylinder of Nitrogen I don't think it is worth it for the regular joe.

More here on another forum

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=820691

[Droptarotter]

But to rip me off by three pints of beer to put pure nitrogen in my tyres is, like well wrong.

Glad you put it into perspective!!

Cheers

[Vince]

I'd take the car back and ask them to remove the Nitrogen and replace it with air, and refund you the cash.
\v/

[Grip Fast]

So I complained via their website and got a phone call the next day. It turns out it was a mistake...


...they hadn't put nitrogen in my tyres after all, just charged me for it (accidentally as you do). When I call into their depot, I can get my three pints of beer back. Woohoo!