Nitrogen vs. Air in Winter Tires

[JuneBug]

Originally Posted by blackdograv

Good for you, eh?!
I'm no republican but in this case, I say government has no business mandating that all cars must have pressure monitoring systems. Next they'll be mandating heated seats and ipod USB interface.

You can thank Democratic President Bill Clinton for signing the TREAD act into law. That's what mandated TPMS on every car built since 2008. And it was all because some idiots drove their Ford Explorers with deflated Firestone tires that heated up and exploded.

[doane2u]

Originally Posted by blackdograv

Good for you, eh?!
I'm no republican but in this case, I say government has no business mandating that all cars must have pressure monitoring systems. Next they'll be mandating heated seats and ipod USB interface.

There was a reason for mandating the sensors.. they save lives, drivers who are too dumb or lazy to check their tires occasionally, and the innocent drivers who get hit by the driver who looses control. They also save gas and save tires; that can be hundreds of dollars and who doesn't want to save some green?
I really don't see that it's that big an inconvenience. Obviously, there would be no reason to mandate heated seats and ipod/USB interfaces, or XM radio, or DVD players, or anything else like that, but there have been laws restricting driving while drunk or loaded, restricting where a child can ride and how the child is properly protected, prohibiting talking on cell phones and texting while driving, wearing seat belts, helmets, etc... do you think those are bad too?

[doane2u]

Originally Posted by JuneBug

You can thank Democratic President Bill Clinton for signing the TREAD act into law. That's what mandated TPMS on every car built since 2008. And it was all because some idiots drove their Ford Explorers with deflated Firestone tires that heated up and exploded.

Uhh.. well, not exactly..

The TREAD Act
"The Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation (TREAD) Act was passed by Congress in 2000 in response to a major recall of defective tires that created unsafe driving conditions and multiple driver fatalities (one hundred deaths due to rollovers were attributed to tire separation). The TREAD Act has since been incorporated into the existing National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966."

Also, having the right pressure in tires can save you several hundred in wasted gas as well as tire wear and consequently, less recycling and chemical usage.

On the negative side, I've read that there is a lot of paper work and expenses generated by the reporting requirements that are part of the act and disagreement about how it will affect warranties, etc.

Clinton signed it in 2000, but it was passed by the house and the Senate.. what's all this political bashing about and why is it such a big deal for you?

[doane2u]

Originally Posted by blackdograv

I fill mine with helium. Mileage is drastically increased as the car now weighs about 150 pounds. Couple of times on a hot day I have, however, come back to the parking lot to find my car floating about 4 or 5 feet off the ground.

Hehe.. I was thinking the same thing. You can also fill the inside of you car with helium and sing along with your favorite music and sound like a chipmunk!

[karrock]

All: Everyone is entitled to their opinions, however, we ask that you please keep your responses on topic and in check with a civil tongue.

Always remember the golden rule of what not to discuss in polite company: politics, religion and sex. Save those for the Off-Topic boards or the appropriate forums.

[Dr. Dyno]

I actually agree with doane2u on this one!

And also with karrock. I would never violate the golden rule.

[Freedom55]

My winter tires mounted on 17" steelies were filled with nitrogen at Costco when I bought them but I still replace those green plastic caps with chrome plated metal ones that have a rubber seal on the inside just to prevent possible leakage from the valves. I do the same on the 18" summer tire/wheel combos and they also look better than with the black plastic caps for just a couple of $$!

[friendly_jacek]

Originally Posted by JuneBug

You can thank Democratic President Bill Clinton for signing the TREAD act into law. That's what mandated TPMS on every car built since 2008. And it was all because some idiots drove their Ford Explorers with deflated Firestone tires that heated up and exploded.

Doesn't surprise me you said that. After all, LA is a red state.

[friendly_jacek]

Originally Posted by Freedom55

My winter tires mounted on 17" steelies were filled with nitrogen at Costco when I bought them but I still replace those green plastic caps with chrome plated metal ones that have a rubber seal on the inside just to prevent possible leakage from the valves. I do the same on the 18" summer tire/wheel combos and they also look better than with the black plastic caps for just a couple of $$!

Be careful with the metal caps. They can corrode inside and be stuck solid.

[Freedom55]

Thanks but I never had problems before as I remove the caps often to check pressure; I can understand someone leaving them on all winter long could have a problem in the spring with the amount of road salt they put here!