March 18, 2013

Nitrogen Tire Filling Station for Neighborhood Tire Shops

If you own or operate your own neighborhood tire shop, you're probably already aware of the benefits of using nitrogen over compressed air to fill tires. A nitrogen-filled tire runs cooler, maintains pressure and is safer, overall. Unfortunately, using nitrogen often involves ordering, shipping and handling cumbersome tanks that will eventually run out, leaving you no choice but to repeat the process yet again.

Fortunately, there is an alternative.

Instead of worrying about the ordering and handling of multiple nitrogen tanks, more and more shop owners are turning to the safe, efficient TireBlast™ product from South-Tek Systems. This machine eliminates the need for refilling and replacing nitrogen tanks, as it comes with a built-in nitrogen generator that creates an on-demand supply. This method is safe and effective - not to mention easy! The TireBlast™ system creates its own nitrogen by pulling it from the surrounding air. Nitrogen makes up about 79% of the air we breathe everyday, which means the TireBlast™ will never "run out."

In addition to generating its own supply of nitrogen, the TireBlast™ product is compact, quiet and comes in a variety of different models. The TireBlast™ NT-10 (Series I) is perfect for a bicycle shop or medium-volume motorcycle tire shop, capable of inflating up to 10 tire per hour. By contrast, the TireBlast™ NT-20 (Series I) has a bit more power, able to inflate up to 20 tires per hour. This is ideal for the small volume auto tire shop. There's also the TireBlast™ NT-40 (Series I), TireBlast™ NT-130 (Series II), TireBlast™ NT-250 (Series II) and the TireBlast™ NT-375 (Series II) - each one designed to suit a different size/volume shop. To find out which model series is right for your shop, visit www.southteksystems.com/tire-blast.asp and scroll to the bottom to download the product brochure.

For questions, feel free to call South-Tek Systems at 888-526-6284.

March 7, 2013

Danger of Under-Inflated Tires

Throughout the year, most people's tires will expand and contract slightly, as the outside temperatures affect the density of the air within the tire. When it's cold outside, the air will contract, causing the tire lose pressure and become under-inflated. Loss of air can also occur from tire damage, punctures, certain driving habits, poor road conditions and the quality of material used for the tire.

While fluctuations in tire pressure are a common occurrence, you should always try to maintain the proper level of inflation to prevent the following problems:
  • Loss of control against skidding, blowouts and other tire failures.
  • Decline in fuel economy.
  • The unpleasant surprise of a flat tire.
  • Damage to rims.
  • Vehicle handling problems that could possibly result in traffic collisions, injuries and even fatalities.
Experts say that, even under "normal" conditions, air-filled tires can lose from 1 to 2 psi (pounds per square inch) per month as air naturally permeates through the tires. This is common with tires that are filled with compressed air, as opposed to nitrogen. Nitrogen is a popular alternative to compressed air, as it is a denser gas that permeates through the tire material at a much slower pace. Additionally, compressed air typically contains oxygen, which can turn to moisture and may even lead to corrosion over time.

For many years, nitrogen has been the chosen gas for tires in the racecar, aircraft and military industries, due to its ability to add life to the tires, improve gas mileage and help ensure safety and control over the vehicle. Thanks to South-Tek Systems' TireBlast™ Nitrogen Tire Filling Station, the benefits of nitrogen-filled tires can be made easily available. This efficient machine actually generates its own nitrogen from the air we breathe - which means you can have nitrogen on-demand for quick fills or top-offs. Perfect for shop owners or vehicle enthusiasts, the TireBlast™ Nitrogen Filling Station is quiet, compact and uses little energy to operate. To learn more, call South-Tek Systems at 888-526-6284.

February 8, 2013

Does Nitrogen Tire Inflation Improve Fuel Economy?


Saving money on gas is a common concern for most automobile owners. Whether you've got a sport utility vehicle, a motorcycle or you own a trucking fleet, it's important to keep your ride's fuel economy as efficient as possible.

Study Results: Nitrogen Filled Tires Improve Fuel Economy

According to a 2007 study, nitrogen-filled tires may be linked to improvements in fuel economy as well as tire and tread life. The study, conducted by a Vancouver-based nitrogen tire inflation company, found that long-haul trucks that switched their tires from compressed air to nitrogen experienced a fuel efficiency increase of 2/10th of a mile per gallon of gas. The trucks experienced a tread life improvement of 86%.

The study was conducted by examining a certain percentage of trucks from Harris Transport of Winnipeg. The company paid to convert 65% of its fleet to nitrogen. The study comprised more than 177 million tread-km for 1,988 tire positions. In the tires inflated with air, a control group of 452 tire positions showed an average of 5.38 mpg, and an average tire life of 26,623 km per 32nd of tread wear. A group of 836 nitrogen-filled tires, the study revealed, produced 5.56 mpg, with 49,748 km per 32nd of tread wear.

The total fuel efficiency savings translated to roughly 500,000 liters of fuel, or approximately $425,000 in fuel cost savings.

Officials who led the study noted that the results exceeded expectations.

From a 2007 article regarding the study in Today's Trucking Magazine: "Moreover, fuel efficiency of the nitrogen inflated equipment increased by 3.3 percent even though the tire pressure of the air inflated tires was aggressively maintained. We did not expect this, so it is very good news."

Why Nitrogen Gas?

Nitrogen is a popular choice for tire inflation, particularly in the trucking, racing and aircraft industries, due to its ability to resist changes in pressure. Using nitrogen is thought to greatly reduce pressure loss, if not eliminate it completely, because nitrogen gas is less likely to penetrate the tire casing than compressed air. Nitrogen is much denser than compressed air, which typically consists of a mixture of nitrogen, oxygen, argon and other components. Because nitrogen is a non-flammable, inert gas that does not support combustion, it is also considered a safer alternative to compressed air.

About South-Tek Systems

South-Tek Systems is a leading maker of Nitrogen Generating equipment, including the TireBlast Nitrogen Tire Filling Station.  Nitrogen gas is used for such a wide variety of applications because of the benefits it provides as well as its safety and reliability.  Tire shops, trucking operations, and automotive repair shops interested in installing the TireBlast System should contact South-Tek Systems to obtain pricing: 888-526-6284.

January 25, 2013

Protect Your Tires and Rims with Nitrogen Gas


Filling your tires with compressed air can lead to problems with pressure imbalance, added wear and tear and possibly even corrosion from moisture. Protect your tires and rims from these common problems by using nitrogen gas instead.

Why Nitrogen Gas?

Nitrogen gas is a favorable alternative to compressed air for several reasons. Unlike compressed air, which contains oxygen, pure nitrogen will significantly reduce your tire's risk of accumulating moisture. As environmental factors like temperature and humidity change, the oxygen in your tires can produce water vapor, which can be problematic in two ways:

  • Changes in tire pressure, which can lead to other problems including accelerated wear and tear.
  • Moisture build-up, causing corrosion to rims and inner oxidation to the rubber.

Protection

Rims are an expensive part of any vehicle, especially if they're customized or top-of-the-line. A single OEM rim can cost hundreds of dollars to replace and the rubber that is wrapped around the rim is expensive, too. By choosing to fill your tires with nitrogen instead of compressed air, you can prolong your rims' functionality and attractive appearance while also protecting your tires.

Safety

Keeping your rims and tires in good shape will not only save you money, it could also save your life!  Worn out tires can lead to unexpected blowouts, poor traction in adverse weather and dangerous accidents on the road. By using nitrogen instead of compressed air, you can practically eliminate inner wheel corrosion and achieve more stable tire pressure, which will greatly improve your vehicle's level of safety.

To learn more about South-Tek Systems and the TireBlast™ - Nitrogen Tire Filling Station, please visit www.southteksystems.com/tire-blast.asp or call South-Tek directly at 888-526-6284.

January 11, 2013

Save Energy and Run More Efficiently with TireBlast™ Nitrogen Tire Filling Station

Thinking of "going green" because it's the right thing to do or because today's consumers are looking for businesses offering eco-friendly solutions? If you are in the automotive industry, installing the TireBlast™ Nitrogen Tire Filling Station could enhance your service menu and bring in more customers. Many of today's new cars are rolling off the assembly line with Nitrogen filled tires, because car manufacturers are finally realizing the benefits. The effectiveness of N2-filled tires has been recognized for years by the military, commercial aircraft industry, and NASCAR.

The TireBlast™ system is easy to install and available in several space-saving sizes. They can be easily mounted on the wall or right onto the N2 storage tank. Each unit comes with an internal Nitrogen Generator, which ensures quiet operation and produces high purity N2 gas on demand. Although it is connected to the shop's compressor, there is no worry about compressed air consumption because each TireBlast™ station has an Automatic Shut-Off valve. So, when it is not in use, it does not tax the compressor in any way. The system's efficiency is further enhanced because the N2 is pre-filtered.

The installation of the TireBlast™ Station simply requires a connection to the shop's compressed air line. The filling line is then connected to the Nitrogen storage tank. The N2 system is adjusted to the existing compressor and is able to produce N2 that is 95 to 98.8% pure.

So, why will your customers be happy to see a TireBlast™ Nitrogen Filling Station at your place of business?  Consider these benefits:
  • Nitrogen filled tires improve gas mileage
  • Since they maintain tire pressure longer, they are safer
  • Tires stay fuller-longer!
  • Filling a car's tires with N2 increases their longevity
An additional benefit for tire shops with utilizing the TireBlast™ System is that more cars are coming from the factory with Nitrogen filled tires and there are very few businesses in town who are able to maintain them.  This gives you an edge on the competition.

We invite you to inquire further about the TireBlast™ System by calling South-Tek Systems directly at 888-526-6284.


December 28, 2012

The Safety of Nitrogen Filled Tires


For those in the automotive service business, providing customers with affordable, innovative, high-quality options is the name of the game. Going the extra mile to increase the safety level of your customer's vehicles will provide a little extra peace of mind for everyone. Adding the TireBlast™ Nitrogen Tire Filling Station to your place of business is an excellent way to up the safety ante. Perhaps that's why commercial aircraft and professional race car teams have used Nitrogen-filled tires for years?

Did you know that the air we breathe is made up of approximately 78% nitrogen? Unlike oxygen, it is an inert gas and cannot sustain combustion. In an automobile accident, tires filled with oxygen can heighten the risk of fire or explosion. When your tire shop uses the TireBlast™ system, this will not be a concern for you.

Another plus is that unlike traditional tires where compressed air can permeate through the tire walls, Nitrogen filled tires do not leak the gas out due to the larger molecule size of Nitrogen. This helps the tire pressure remain consistent much longer.

Tires filled using a TireBlast™ Nitrogen Tire Filling Station are less likely to experience changes in pressure when temperatures fluctuate. In a Popular Mechanics article from February 2009, it was noted that, "Racers figured out pretty quickly that tires filled with nitrogen rather than air also exhibit less pressure change with temperature swings. That means more consistent inflation pressures during a race as the tires heat up."

In addition, nitrogen in tires prevents moisture, which causes humidity and destabilizes tire pressure. Keeping the moisture out stops the corrosion of steel or aluminum rims and increases overall safety of the tires and the vehicle.

Maintaining the family automobile with Nitrogen filled tires is clearly a safe and efficient choice. If your tire shop doesn't already utilize the TireBlast™ Nitrogen Tire Filling Station, be sure to request this of the owner or manager.  Have them contact South-Tek Systems at 888-526-6284 or complete this contact form.

December 7, 2012

About the TireBlast™ - Nitrogen Tire Filling Station


For years, automotive professionals in the racing, military and aircraft industries have understood the benefits of using pure nitrogen for tire inflation over compressed air. Now, with the TireBlast™ Nitrogen Tire Filling Station from South-Tek Systems - leading designer of Nitrogen Generating Equipment - this superior gas can be made available to anyone who wants to improve their tires' performance.

The compact design, quiet motor and high purity N2 gas production make the TireBlast™ a smart and efficient product for any auto or tire shop. As most auto enthusiasts know, nitrogen is the proven choice for maintaining consistent tire pressure. Other advantages to using nitrogen include a greater lifespan for your tires, increased safety, fewer trips to fill tires and better gas mileage. So as you can imagine, having this gas on demand is not only convenient, it's good for business.

Available in several models, the TireBlast™ series can accommodate just about any size shop. Here's a look at a few of the most popular TireBlast™ models:

  • Choose the TireBlast™ NT-10 for a bicycle shop or medium volume motorcycle shop. 
  • The TireBlast™ NT-130 is perfect for a large volume auto tire shop or car dealership, as it can inflate up to 130 tires per hour. 
  • The TireBlast™ NT-375 is a heavy-duty filling station designed for use in the trucking industry.

For a complete list of available TireBlast™ models and to learn more about the product, visit our webpage here: www.southteksystems.com/tire-blast.asp.

Nitrogen Tire Inflation Information