Air Pumps at U.S. Gas Stations: Major Findings Regarding Availability, Reliability and Fees. Research Note.

摘要

Tire manufacturers, auto manufacturers and experts in consumer safety all emphasize the importance of maintaining proper tire pressure for its positive effect on driver safety, fuel economy and tire longevity. Since the typical motorist owns neither an air pump nor a pressure measuring gauge, gas station air pumps and gauges play an important role with respect to driver safety and the conservation of scarce resources. Accordingly, this study quantifies and analyzes the major components associated with the gas station provision of air pressure services. These components can be divided into two groups: those associated with the provision of air--whether an air pump is present, whether it works and whether a fee is charged for its use--and those associated with the measurement of air pressure--whether a gauge is present and, if so, how accurately it performs its task. Hence, this study has been divided into five parts: pump availability; pump functionality; gauge availability; gauge accuracy; and pump fees.