costco air for tires – does costco have nitrogen for tires?
Costco is one of the leading retailers of tires. Besides selling high-quality car tires for various brands, the company also offers maintenance services like tire installation and alignments. But Does Costco Have Nitrogen For Tires and also offer tire inflation services?
Costco offers its members both nitrogen and air inflation services free of charge. Nitrogen is the preferred choice for its ability to consistently maintain tire pressure over time, whereas regular air is the common and more readily available option.
If you want to know more about Costco’s nitrogen and air refill systems and how to avail of the service for free, I have it all gathered here for you. So keep reading.
Does Costco Have Nitrogen or Air For Tires?
At Costco, you can choose either nitrogen or air for your tires. However, unlike other Costco vehicle services, the tire inflation services are exclusively for their members.
On the plus side, however, while you’re usually charged around $8-$15 per tire to fill with nitrogen at other places, you can get the same service for free as a Costco member.
How Do You Get Costco’s Free Tire Inflation Service?
Since Costco’s air or nitrogen tire-filling services are only available to their members, the first step is to become a member by signing up online or at your nearest warehouse. Or, you can call 1-800-774-2678 and talk to a customer service representative.
Once you’re a member, getting the tire inflation service from Costco is easy — just head to any of their stores and help yourself to fill up your tire with either nitrogen or air.
Steps to Use Costco’s Air or Nitrogen Tire Filling Service for Free
As I mentioned earlier, members can receive Costco’s tire inflation service for free from any Costco outlet. Here, I have outlined a step-by-step guide below that will guide you through the process.
- Visit the Nearest Costco Store
When you already have a membership, visit any of the Costco stores. The filling service is available in the automotive section, usually outside the main building.
- Determine Your Tires’ PSI
You can find the correct PSI (pounds per square inch) for your tires on the inside of the driver’s side door jamb or your last Costco receipt.
The PSI specification on the door placard is a cold pressure specification. If you have driven for more than 3 miles, your tires are considered hot.
To use Costco’s inflation system, you must add 4 PSI to operating tire inflation if your tires are hot.
- Choose the PSI from the Filler’s Dashboard
After parking near Costco’s tire inflation outlet, check whether the filling station uses nitrogen or air. Then, use the buttons to select the desired PSI.
- Secure the Lock-on Chuck
Now, ensure the lock-on chuck is unlocked before firmly connecting the outlet hose’s lock-on chuck to the valve stem. If the inflation chuck will not lock, notify the Costco Tire Center.
- Wait for the Tires to Fill
Once the chuck is locked on the valve stem, step to the left or right of the tire and wait for the tires to fill. When the calibration is complete, you will hear a beep.
- Repeat
Once done, unlock the chuck and remove the chuck from the valve stem. Then move to the next tire and repeat the process.
Why Should You Get Costco’s Nitrogen Tire Inflation Service?
Costco’s tire inflation service is one of the best in town, offering both nitrogen and air-filled tire inflation systems. Here are some of the benefits you get when you opt for nitrogen tire inflation:
1. Stable Tire Pressures
Nitrogen is a more stable gas and maintains tire pressure better over time than air. This is because nitrogen molecules are much larger than oxygen, usually mixed in regular air-filled systems, making them less prone to leaking out.
“Inflating tires with nitrogen instead of air can help maintain the right tire pressure. Nitrogen molecules are larger than oxygen molecules, making them less likely to leak out of tires.
Besides, nitrogen stays stable in extreme temperatures, whereas temperature changes can cause air-filled tires to lose pressure. This is important because proper tire pressure affects a vehicle’s handling, traction, braking, and ride quality.” By Kimberlea Buczeke, Automotive expert, Repairpal
2. Improved Fuel Economy
Nitrogen-filled tires can improve fuel economy because they have better tire pressure regulation. Besides, nitrogen-filled tires tend to roll easier due to a lesser vibration, leading to improved fuel economy.
“Under-inflated tires can decrease gas mileage, according to the EPA, by 0.3% for every 1 psi drop of pressure in all four tires. But since nitrogen inflation helps maintain the correct pressure longer, it can improve fuel economy.” By Ronald Montoya, Automotive expert, Edmunds
3. Longer Tire Life
Nitrogen-filled tires last longer than air-filled tires because they maintain optimal pressure. This means your tires are less prone to wear and tear, so you won’t have to replace your tires as often.
4. Costco’s Free Inflation Service
The icing on the cake is that Costco offers its tire-filling services at no cost. Their free nitrogen inflation service is available at most warehouses in the US and Canada, making it super-convenient to inflate your tires.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If you have further questions about Costco’s nitrogen or air-filled tire inflation service, the below answers to some frequently asked questions should help clarify.
Does Costco sell nitrogen-filled tires?
Yes, Costco does sell nitrogen-filled tires. In addition to providing free tire inflation service, you can purchase nitrogen-filled tires online and in-store at Costco. The cost of these tires can vary depending on the brand and type of vehicle but typically ranges from $150 to $200.
Can I get Costco’s air or nitrogen tire filling without a membership?
Unfortunately, no. To receive Costco’s tire inflation service, you must have a valid membership and be logged in to your account at the time of service. Since the service is free for members, becoming a member to take advantage of this offer makes sense.
How often is Costco’s nitrogen refill needed?
Nitrogen-filled tires usually do not require frequent refills. Nitrogen is a more stable gas and does not dissipate as quickly as air. When using nitrogen-filled tires, checking the tire pressure every 3-4 months is just about okay.
Is there any special equipment required to inflate tires with nitrogen from Costco?
No special equipment is required to inflate tires with nitrogen from Costco. All you need to do is park your vehicle at the Costco tire inflation station, select the desired PSI, secure the lock-on chuck to the valve stem, and wait for the tires to fill.
Is it OK to fill Costco’s nitrogen tires with regular air?
Yes, if needed, you can fill your nitrogen-filled tires with regular air. However, it is not advisable to do this often as it will reduce your tires’ longevity and affect their performance.
How to use the Costco Free Inflation Machine >> Check out the video below for more clear guide.
Conclusion
Undoubtedly, there’s no better nitrogen tire inflation service in town than Costco’s, giving you free tire inflation with nitrogen or air-filled tires. With its stable pressurization, improved fuel economy, and longer tire life, the nitrogen-filling service is definitely worth taking advantage of.
Currently, the self-filling service is only open to members of Costco. So, if you haven’t joined yet, now’s the perfect time to get in on this great offer, which will only cost you $60 a year.
And once you’ve got your membership, you can hassle-free reap the benefits of Costco’s nitrogen tire inflation service. So, for reliable tire inflation at a reasonable cost, Costco is your best bet.
Certification: BSc in Mechanical Engineering
Education: Mechanical engineer
Lives In: 539 W Commerce St, Dallas, TX 75208, USA
Rasel is an auto mechanic student and writer with over half a decade of experience in the automotive field. He has worked with top automotive brands such as Lexus, Quantum, and also owns two automotive blogs autocarneed.com and taxiwiz.com.