28 Apr 2018

A question about : Nitrogen tyre fill, hidden charges.

Just had to buy new tyres for two cars.
Bought tyres on-line for local figment by ATS Tyre specialist.
Much cheaper.

The bill was paid up front and was 'fully fitted price'

When I arrived to pay ATS had used Nitrogen to fill my tyres, then charged me extra.

This was not an option on the order form, nor was it asked for or was I informed.
Air is free. Air is also 79% N2 anyhow and I don't believe there is real evidence, especially in the field, that this makes any difference whatsoever on a domestic vehicle.

Previous experience shows tyres need to be topped up at exactly the same time interval regardless.

This is a HIDDEN CHARGE and is unacceptable.

Refuse when booking.

Fully fitted means exactly that. Full Stop.

Best answers:

  • A friend at work who knows nothing about cars just had to get a new tyre from Kwik Fitt, he had the receipt in his pocket and they had sold him a good tyre at a fair price and he had had the puncture across the road from them so it was very convenient, then I spotted this same charge they had charged him for Nitrogen which he knew nothing about or had asked for. Cheeky !!!!!!s!
  • Just ask them to deflate the Nitrogen and put air back in. [I am sure this will be met with annoyance]
    If I was feeling annoyed enough, I would signed the invoice as under dispute, paid it, and put a chargeback on the relevant amount from the credit card provider.
  • Nitrogen filling is a joke, but the crux of your complaint is that you were charged more than the, "quoted, fully-fitted" price. Complain in writing to ATS, not here or the online supplier, it is ATS that have conned you. Or was it a fitment of your imagination?
  • For the majority of people (anyone that replaces tyres when they're worn to the legal limit, as opposed to excessively aged and cracking), nitrogen filling is ABSOLUTE !!!!!!!!.
    For the rest, it's at best completely dubious.
  • I guess their excuse is fully fitted not fully inflated, A bit like the bill
    As mentioned air is approx 79% nitrogen anyway, If their excuse is the air leaks out and nitrogen doesn't say they must have let the nitrogen out of the old tyres if the oxygen leaks out and not the nitrogen.
    Ask them for a refund when the pressure drops if they claim it shouldnt.
  • The real joke is that the nitrogen cylinders only cost around Ј4 (+ annual rental) they can fill up many many tyres for that
  • The thought behind this is that Nitrogen is more stable at high temperatures (which it is) so will not expand / contract like oxygen.
    However whilst this makes a difference on a high performance car trying to set a new record around Nurburgring it will do nothing at all on a family hatchback.
  • I tend to stick with about 78% nitrogen when pumping my tyres up.
  • ...And if your passengers start speaking in a weird way, you have a leak
  • At work we always used 100% nitrogen in the tyres .........but the 2 tyres were inflated to 350 psi carrying 15 tons hitting the ground at 150 mph
  • What did they say when you refused to pay or queried it then?
  • Yes, fill up with helium instead, it will reduce the cars unsprung weight and improve the handling as well as making the car lighter and more fuel efficient.
    Win win all around. shhh. dont tell KF they will charge you Ј20 to fill your tyres with helium.
  • lol, nitrogen probably offsets the weight put on by the valve stem cap
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