Nitrogen in tires
CO River Rat
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,209
Likes: 0
From: Lake Havasu City AZ
From what I've read, no; air is already over 70% nitrogen. It supposedly doesn't leak out as fast but you should check your tires at least monthly (I do mine weekly). Pure nitrogen is also lighter and drier than air but the weight difference is negligible. Unless some place offers it for free I wouldn't bother - JMHO.
Steve
Steve
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 526
Likes: 1
From: Spokane, WA
From my stock car days here is my take:
Nitrogen is dry, thus the tires don't expand (increase pressure) due to the heating of residual water in a regular air system.
I believe pure Nitrogen is a smaller molecule than naturally occuring air (I should really research this), if so it will not keep your tires inflated longer (not leak out) than does regular air (like someone stated...Hydogen, Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide, Nitrogen in some connected combination.combinations). From the track it actually leaked worse during the off week than air.
Can you really get all the latent air out of the tire? Do they flush the open carcass with Nitrogen before and during the seating of the bead? If not, what is the real goal?
They say Nitrogen doesn't harm the rubber like latent compressed air...well I have never seen a carcass rot from the inside...the outside always goes first (usually due to UV exposure).
Don't waste your money or time...it is a gimick for most but pure race cars.
Kenny
Nitrogen is dry, thus the tires don't expand (increase pressure) due to the heating of residual water in a regular air system.
I believe pure Nitrogen is a smaller molecule than naturally occuring air (I should really research this), if so it will not keep your tires inflated longer (not leak out) than does regular air (like someone stated...Hydogen, Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide, Nitrogen in some connected combination.combinations). From the track it actually leaked worse during the off week than air.
Can you really get all the latent air out of the tire? Do they flush the open carcass with Nitrogen before and during the seating of the bead? If not, what is the real goal?
They say Nitrogen doesn't harm the rubber like latent compressed air...well I have never seen a carcass rot from the inside...the outside always goes first (usually due to UV exposure).
Don't waste your money or time...it is a gimick for most but pure race cars.
Kenny
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,566
Likes: 18
From: The Great White North!
Just got new tires this week and asked the tire guy same question. His answer. The system costs money, and the money has to be recovered somehow. You pay for it. Has not really been proven to benefit from doing it. Everytime you want to run less tire psi, you are going to let out $$, and then have to pay to get it in again, and end up using regular air to get back to the shop to have them charge you to refill. He does not run Nitrogen in his tires. Don't waste your money. I didn't.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,512
Likes: 18
From: Detroit
Fewer rim leaks on alloys...
But paying for nitrogen? I dunno....the only vehicle that I have nitrogen in is my '02 E150, and that was because Costco puts it in for free.
For free, it's absolutely worth the price.
George
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: North Pole, Alaska
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,512
Likes: 18
From: Detroit
Umm not quite...
What you're saying is like--"here, this glass is 76% beer, and the other 24% is gasoline, so just drink it because it's beer...."
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Michael S. Palmer
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Versailles, Missouri
Nitrogen in Tires.
I have read that as another reply stated that the Molecules are different in size.
I feel the best advice came from another reply in that we should check our tire pressure frequently. I use a 50:1 ratio water and dish soap, respectively in a spray bottle for the beads and also the Valve Stem checking for those little "stinker" leaks.
Personally,I feel that it is just another "bait and hook" ploy for $$$$$.
However, if you feel that you would benefit then by all means do it.
Mark
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,512
Likes: 18
From: Detroit
There are a bunch of Costco's around....
I would have to concur with all of the replies in that we are breathing nitrogen anyway and, moreover, if you travel not every town offers Nitrogen I would think.
...............
Personally,I feel that it is just another "bait and hook" ploy for $$$$$.
However, if you feel that you would benefit then by all means do it.
Mark
...............
Personally,I feel that it is just another "bait and hook" ploy for $$$$$.
However, if you feel that you would benefit then by all means do it.
Mark
And in my old car, I did have an unexplained leakdown in one of the Costco nitrogen-filled tires on a trip, so I filled it up with regular air, went back to Costco a week later, and they used their machine to deflate the tire, fill with nitrogen, and repeat the process, again for free.
I do think nitrogen is superior, but at this point I would not *pay money* for it...which is why we have regular air in 4 vehicles, nitrogen in the van. Having "enjoyed" older cars with alloy rim leaks for many years, however, I really do like the idea of nitrogen because it doesn't hold moisture.
George
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
ConsumerReports.com has some interesting info on their blog. They ran a test over 1 year QUOTE "The test started on September 20, 2006 and the final measurements were taken on September 20, 2007. The results show nitrogen does reduce pressure loss over time, but the reduction is only a 1.3 psi difference from air-filled tires. The average loss of air-filled tires was just 3.5 psi from the initial 30 pressure setting. Nitrogen-filled tires lost an average of 2.2 psi from the initial 30 psi setting."
Like another person above said, I shop at Costco where they offer this for free. but for a fee, to loose 1.3 less psi over a year, doesn't seem like money well spent.
Regards,
Like another person above said, I shop at Costco where they offer this for free. but for a fee, to loose 1.3 less psi over a year, doesn't seem like money well spent.
Regards,
Former Vendor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
If you race and pressure fluctuations due to temperature changes are an issue, use Nitrogen. For street use it's nice, but isn't worth paying for. It takes 5 minutes to check your pressure once a month and it's free....
