Because so many pay-for-air machines are popping up across the nation, promoting the availability of free tire inflation may pump up the possibility of attracting new customers.
Such services are mandated by law for anyone selling gasoline in Connecticut.
With motorists firmly in the grip of winter’s icy grasp and wrestling with the resulting problem of diminished tire pressure, service stations and convenience stores with coin-operated compressors are once again being reminded by Connecticut authorities that state law requires free air to be made available during business hours.
A story by Lee Howard of The Day newspaper in New London reports that a number of Nutmeg State operations with air machines are not complying with the statute.
“It’s a sign of the times,” says a retailer quoted in Day’s piece. “It’s not like your grandfather’s service station anymore.”
Nonetheless, the measure mandates that businesses selling at least 10,000 gallons of fuel a month – which covers almost every Connecticut gas station – must “conspicuously post a notice telling the public that a free air compressor is available for their use.”
Air dispensers are permitted to require money when the hosting business is closed. During working hours, however, most proprietors override the coin-collecting function or hand out quarters or tokens to ensure compliance.
But not all of them, which is a continuing concern of the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection.
“We are strictly enforcing this law and stations that are not in compliance face penalties,” says Commissioner Jerry Farrell Jr.
The department is increasingly intent on “reminding them of their legal responsibility and indicating that they face a $250 administrative fine and/or revocation of their Retail Gasoline Dealer license if they violate this provision,” Farrell asserts.
“This simple law – which can help save lives, fuel and money – warrants the full compliance and cooperation of gasoline retailers in Connecticut,” he says.
“Consumers everywhere are being encouraged to inflate their tires to optimal levels for best performance and gas mileage, and by law all Connecticut-licensed gasoline retailers must provide to the public at no cost an air compressor for tire inflation during operating hours,” Farrell emphasizes.
While acknowledging the proliferation of pay-for-air devices in recent years, Farrell notes that “while these are allowable to serve the public after normal operating hours, coin-operated machines do not relieve stations of their obligation to provide free air during their operating hours. Stations that have only the coin-operated machines available for public use must provide the necessary coins or tokens to anyone needing tire inflation during their operating hours.”
For more information, visit www.ct.gov/dcp and www.theday.com.
