Tire Pressure
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 824
Likes: 0
From: Helotes, Texas
Nitrogen works great and is not flammable. It does not fluctuate pressure with temperature changes as much as air. We use it to pressure test refrigeration systems for that reason and also the lack of moisture in dry nitrogen cylinders allows for less contamination.
Max
Max
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 275
Likes: 9
From: San Antonio
Sorry for the delay... out sick,
nitrogen is an inert gas (makes up much of our atmosphere) its molecule is much larger than standard air or oxygen, so it cant leak out as easy (like a fat chick through a turnstile) when pressurized it does not fluctuate much. it does not expand or contract like ambient air. its been used in aircraft tires for years. think about it, if you pump a tire up to 60 psi at sea level and fly to say, Denver where the air is thinner, what do you think its gonna do to your tire pressure? will the tires be underinflated when you get there? or will they have popped upon arrival?
ok I'll quit preaching, you get the idea, my tire pressure hasn't changed more than 4psi from summer to winter.
nitrogen is an inert gas (makes up much of our atmosphere) its molecule is much larger than standard air or oxygen, so it cant leak out as easy (like a fat chick through a turnstile) when pressurized it does not fluctuate much. it does not expand or contract like ambient air. its been used in aircraft tires for years. think about it, if you pump a tire up to 60 psi at sea level and fly to say, Denver where the air is thinner, what do you think its gonna do to your tire pressure? will the tires be underinflated when you get there? or will they have popped upon arrival?
ok I'll quit preaching, you get the idea, my tire pressure hasn't changed more than 4psi from summer to winter.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,773
Likes: 0
From: Bonney Lake, WA
Thanks for the explanation. Now, let's take this one step further. How about using helium in your tires? The advantage in weight savings might help offset the gravitational pull against this 7500lb beast I drive. Only kidding, of course. Nitrogen makes sense, but how would a person go about getting nitrogen pumped into their tires?
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 275
Likes: 9
From: San Antonio
well, in my case, I have a big nitrogen bottle that we use here at work for pressurizing hydraulic accumilators. there is also a local tire chain here that now offers it, called "tire discounters". I imagine you could go to a local air strip and get it, you may want to check with your local welding and gas supplier... here's a link to what that local tire dealer says about nitrogen, http://www.tirediscounters.com/nitrogen.html
I wish I had better answers off the top of my head... I'll look into it and post more as I find out more...
I wish I had better answers off the top of my head... I'll look into it and post more as I find out more...
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,248
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by EJL96PSD
Hi all,
What do you guy's run your tires at? I know Ford says 55 up front and 80 in the back. When I run the front at 55 the tires ware funny. When i put more psi in its a harsh ride. I've got 235 85 r16's on it. Just wondering
What do you guy's run your tires at? I know Ford says 55 up front and 80 in the back. When I run the front at 55 the tires ware funny. When i put more psi in its a harsh ride. I've got 235 85 r16's on it. Just wondering
Of course, each truck is different. Mine is a standard cab, long bed 4x4, which puts even more weight up front than a 4x2, and less on the rear, since the cab is so short and the wheelbase is shorter. It weighs in at 6410 pounds full of fuel - kind of light compared to most of the Powerstroke equipped trucks mentioned on this forum.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 275
Likes: 9
From: San Antonio
Ok for those of you out there looking for the nitrogen... I read an article that says...
"COSTCO Wholesale Corp. is outfitting its 390 U.S. and Canadian warehouse outlets with nitrogen inflation systems in the hope of enhancing tire sales and improving member benefits.
Dunn Tire L.L.C. also recently installed nitrogen inflation systems in two stores, with systems scheduled to go into two more soon.
Costco will offer nitrogen fill-ups for free to its members if they buy new tires or just want nitrogen to replace air in their tires, said Robert Moyer, tire director at Costco, which is the first major corporation to install nitrogen units at ..."
Byline: Lisa Aichlmayr
and if that is not good enough... go to yahoo yellow pages enter your location and search for "gases" then select the one for chemicals and allied products...
"COSTCO Wholesale Corp. is outfitting its 390 U.S. and Canadian warehouse outlets with nitrogen inflation systems in the hope of enhancing tire sales and improving member benefits.
Dunn Tire L.L.C. also recently installed nitrogen inflation systems in two stores, with systems scheduled to go into two more soon.
Costco will offer nitrogen fill-ups for free to its members if they buy new tires or just want nitrogen to replace air in their tires, said Robert Moyer, tire director at Costco, which is the first major corporation to install nitrogen units at ..."
Byline: Lisa Aichlmayr
and if that is not good enough... go to yahoo yellow pages enter your location and search for "gases" then select the one for chemicals and allied products...
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,773
Likes: 0
From: Bonney Lake, WA
"COSTCO Wholesale Corp. is outfitting its 390 U.S. and Canadian warehouse outlets with nitrogen inflation systems in the hope of enhancing tire sales and improving member benefits.
Dunn Tire L.L.C. also recently installed nitrogen inflation systems in two stores, with systems scheduled to go into two more soon.
Costco will offer nitrogen fill-ups for free to its members if they buy new tires or just want nitrogen to replace air in their tires, said Robert Moyer, tire director at Costco, which is the first major corporation to install nitrogen units...
Dunn Tire L.L.C. also recently installed nitrogen inflation systems in two stores, with systems scheduled to go into two more soon.
Costco will offer nitrogen fill-ups for free to its members if they buy new tires or just want nitrogen to replace air in their tires, said Robert Moyer, tire director at Costco, which is the first major corporation to install nitrogen units...
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 275
Likes: 9
From: San Antonio
nitrogen is out there, it just takes a little looking around... most tire dealers dont promote it because consistant, correct tire pressure promotes longer tire life, and they're in the business to sell more tires
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 245
Likes: 1
From: Peshastin, Wa.
All tires are different. I think you need to watch for the wear and adjust the pressure accordingly. I'm running 50 in front and 40 in rear. I don't understand why some guys would run more in the rear when empty, the front end weighs much more - even more with 4x4. My tires aren't even close to the max. psi listed on the tire. If you run on a clean highway for a while, you can see where the tires are touching the road by the "clean" rubber look. More psi may give a little better mileage, but you will wear out the middle of the tire.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 0
From: IOWA
Don't mean to hi-jack this thread, but this nitrogen stuff is interesting. Is there a special way to inflate it into the tire? Or would you do it the same as air? I'm sure I can get a hold of some nitrogen, just need to know what it takes to get it into the tire. Thanks.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: Southern Illinois
Most good welding gas supply houses will have nitrogen. It is usually available in most bottle sized. I too use it to diagnose Air Conditioning systems for the same reason mentioned earlier, lackof moosture injested into the system.
There are several purity levels. I have always used a lower purity level. Would suspect that the same purity would work in tires.
There are several purity levels. I have always used a lower purity level. Would suspect that the same purity would work in tires.