Nitrogen filled tires?
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Sonoma, CA
'Regular' air contains some moisture (water) which expands and shrinks with temperature. Nitrogen has almost no moisture, so your tire pressures remain much more consistent, resulting in better handling, wear, and mileage.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: New Castle, PA
Ive also read on other forums (chevy) people were wondering about filling their tires with helium for better gas mileage. i dont think anyone actually did it cause of the cost and actually finding someone to do it, but i have seen it duscussed, and i dont think it would give you better mileage anyway
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Joined: Oct 2005
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Filling the tires with nitrogen will result in better wear and constant correct pressure. While no one will state that your MPG will improve, it is only logical that if your tires are always properly inflated your MPG will improve. I have had nitrogen in my '08 F-150 since it was new, and definately notice an improved ride.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
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From: Sunny tourist infested FL
Try these threads. Lots of good info...
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...-in-tires.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...pressures.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...-in-tires.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/6...pressures.html
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,666
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From: Sunny tourist infested FL
Filling the tires with nitrogen will result in better wear and constant correct pressure. While no one will state that your MPG will improve, it is only logical that if your tires are always properly inflated your MPG will improve. I have had nitrogen in my '08 F-150 since it was new, and definately notice an improved ride.
So... You have had nitrogen in the tires since new and never had air in 'em. Just how do you notice a difference in the way your truck rides if the tires have never been filled with air?
Nitrogen fills are just a way to separate you from your money......
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Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Long Beach, Ms.
Filling the tires with nitrogen will result in better wear and constant correct pressure. While no one will state that your MPG will improve, it is only logical that if your tires are always properly inflated your MPG will improve. I have had nitrogen in my '08 F-150 since it was new, and definately notice an improved ride.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: N. Fort Myers,FL
I bet I could replace your nitrogen with normal air and you would never notice the difference... Normal air is 78% nitrogen and 21% O2 and 1% other gases... So how can a 22 % difference in composition make for a difference in the way a truck rides?
So... You have had nitrogen in the tires since new and never had air in 'em. Just how do you notice a difference in the way your truck rides if the tires have never been filled with air?
Nitrogen fills are just a way to separate you from your money......
So... You have had nitrogen in the tires since new and never had air in 'em. Just how do you notice a difference in the way your truck rides if the tires have never been filled with air?
Nitrogen fills are just a way to separate you from your money......
The nitro fill dealers sell is a rip off... with as many nitro fills I have done at work, I havent noticed a difference in any vehicles. Most vehicles that get it done it costs around $50-$70.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 436
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From: Mass
I bet I could replace your nitrogen with normal air and you would never notice the difference... Normal air is 78% nitrogen and 21% O2 and 1% other gases... So how can a 22 % difference in composition make for a difference in the way a truck rides?
So... You have had nitrogen in the tires since new and never had air in 'em. Just how do you notice a difference in the way your truck rides if the tires have never been filled with air?
Nitrogen fills are just a way to separate you from your money......
So... You have had nitrogen in the tires since new and never had air in 'em. Just how do you notice a difference in the way your truck rides if the tires have never been filled with air?
Nitrogen fills are just a way to separate you from your money......
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: MA
but your avatar ROCKS. RIP Dime.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
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Nitrogen filled tires for aricraft is not uncommon as the exposure to high altitudes and extreme cold temperatures can mean a great difference in tire pressure. At normal ground levels the only thing that happens is your money leaves your pocket faster than normal. Keep a quality tire quage in your vehicle and check your tire air pressure every month will net you a larger saving than a nitro fill.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 752
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From: Marple Township, PA
A little off topic...the reason aircraft tires use nitrogen is to eliminate any source of oxygen in the wheel wells after gear retraction. This stemmed from a Mexicana B727 that had a brake dragging on takeoff, resulting in extremely high temps, and when the gear was retracted it lost the ram air cooling. Tire exploded and caught fire...the theory being the compressed air in the tires helped fuel the fire.
Additionally, as noted above, compressed air contains moisture, and if this moisture were to settle in a particular area of the tire after gear retraction, then at altitude you'd get an ice mass...not a good thing to have an out-of-balance tire when landing at 160 mph!
But the main driver in aviation use is to eliminate oxygen (as well as moisture).
Additionally, as noted above, compressed air contains moisture, and if this moisture were to settle in a particular area of the tire after gear retraction, then at altitude you'd get an ice mass...not a good thing to have an out-of-balance tire when landing at 160 mph!
But the main driver in aviation use is to eliminate oxygen (as well as moisture).
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,512
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From: Detroit
Interesting background, Dons...
A little off topic...the reason aircraft tires use nitrogen is to eliminate any source of oxygen in the wheel wells after gear retraction. This stemmed from a Mexicana B727 that had a brake dragging on takeoff, resulting in extremely high temps, and when the gear was retracted it lost the ram air cooling. Tire exploded and caught fire...the theory being the compressed air in the tires helped fuel the fire.
Additionally, as noted above, compressed air contains moisture, and if this moisture were to settle in a particular area of the tire after gear retraction, then at altitude you'd get an ice mass...not a good thing to have an out-of-balance tire when landing at 160 mph!
But the main driver in aviation use is to eliminate oxygen (as well as moisture).
Additionally, as noted above, compressed air contains moisture, and if this moisture were to settle in a particular area of the tire after gear retraction, then at altitude you'd get an ice mass...not a good thing to have an out-of-balance tire when landing at 160 mph!
But the main driver in aviation use is to eliminate oxygen (as well as moisture).
That said, I have nitrogen in one vehicle, my E150. I bought the replacement set of Michelin LTX M/S's (same as OEM) from Costco and they put in nitrogen for free. It's worth every penny of *free.*
George
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 48
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Not Enough Difference
The small amount of difference you would see in a car tire is hardly worth paying anything for it. Since normal air is 78 percent nitrogen, there isn't a lot of difference. Nitrogen is generally drier than air but rusting wheel parts don't seem to be a problem these days. Anyway, if you fill your tires from a compressor with a good filter/drier it's almost as dry. Aircraft use it because nitrogen isn't combustible but that's not a major deal in a car with non-enclosed wheel wells. Will it hold a more stable pressure longer? If you did the math, I don't think you'd open your wallet for the difference. It's just another gimmick like so many auto/truck items.