Fact 1: The US Department of Energy estimates that we could save two million gallons of gasoline every day if our tires were properly inflated.

Fact 2: An estimated 30-50 percent of all vehicles on the road are operating with at least one under-inflated tire resulting in decreased fuel economy.

Fact 3: Oxygen and moisture in air diffuses through tires 30-40 percent faster than nitrogen resulting in under-inflated tires.

Conclusion: inflate your tires with nitrogen to improve fuel economy and help reduce oil imports.

All well and good if you can find nitrogen to fill your tires with in the first place.

Enter TireLast Systems, who announced the new UltraAir Nitrogen Vending Station which provides, a cashless, VendiPay prepaid smart card smart-card-operated, self-service nitrogen gas dispenser for cars and light trucks. The nitrogen that UltraAir provides is basically compressed air with the oxygen and moisture removed. With nitrogen constituting 78 percent of Earth's atmosphere by volume, removing the oxygen and moisture pretty much just leaves nitrogen.

The UltraAir also features microprocessor controlled tire inflation supplied to any desired pressure. Payment will be via prepaid Inflation Cards available soon at retail stores.

Analysis: Good idea - deserves to make a lot of money.

Related:

• Plenty of 40 mpg cars overseas, just not in the US
• Critics say automakers can be greener with better computer programming
• Windshield reflects sun -> cools car -> reduces aircon -> improves mpg!

[Source: TireLast press release]