Nitrogen in Tires
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 664
Likes: 0
Nitrogen is worthless. I had it in my sky turbo because it came with it and i later on found out it leaks out quicker than air. Also the only real benefit to it is that it wont heat up like air, But for any kinda of performance tire you dont want it. Anything that works better with heat.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 919
Likes: 0
From: Smiths Grove, KY
The Nitrogen people will tell you that the benefits include: 1) reduced tire overheating, 2) optimize tread life, 3) increased fuel mileage, 4) reduce rubber aging, and 5) reduce wheel corrosion. The first three are directly related to proper tire inflation so if you check your pressure on a regular basis these immediately go out the window as an advantage. I suppose number 4 could be related to Nitrogen being an inert gas but I'm not really sure how much of a benefit this really is and number 5 is related to the fact that the Nitrogen generators product dry gas as compared to most compressors which produce wet air. If you simply hook up a inexpensive water separator to your compressor then this too goes out the window as an advantage for the Nitrogen.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,552
Likes: 79
From: Manhattan, KS
Don't use nitrogen in my tires, but a local advertizer "recommends" it because of all the previous mumbo jumbo and also says nitrogen is less prone to leakage because nitrogen molecules are larger than oxygen. Now that may make some sense, so nitro filled tires are less prone to leak to a lower pressure over time for folks that don't check tire pressure. Also, for new vehicles equiped with the pressure monitoring systems it may cause less problems with the system. If a vehicle comes with it fine, but I'll continue to use plain old air until I'm being charged for it.
BTW, I hate the tire pressure monitors. Is there anyone that hasn't had problems with it on a vehicle that is more than couple of years old?
BTW, I hate the tire pressure monitors. Is there anyone that hasn't had problems with it on a vehicle that is more than couple of years old?
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 664
Likes: 0
I read in one place that ford is getting tons of complaints about not being able to view the tire presure monitor presure. That they are working on adding it in the DIC on a future update when you bring in the vehicle for service.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,127
Likes: 6
One of the tricks with TPS is that the batteries do wear out, and replacing them is not a small job --- like have to dismount tire, get a battery in it, etc.
Like all electronic devices, they also have a habit of failing --- especially given the harsh operating environment they operate in.
Some time ago, I had a car that had it from the factory, and believe it or not the extended warranty covered battery replacement.
Just watch for that to be written out now that it is "standard" equipment. The battery will become a maintenance item.
Like all electronic devices, they also have a habit of failing --- especially given the harsh operating environment they operate in.
Some time ago, I had a car that had it from the factory, and believe it or not the extended warranty covered battery replacement.
Just watch for that to be written out now that it is "standard" equipment. The battery will become a maintenance item.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,127
Likes: 6
A water separator is a good first step, but the use of a desiccating gel is the real way to cut moisture down.
Does it matter enough to be worth the trouble?
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
From: Sale Creek, TN
Anyone have a sense of how long the batteries last? Would it be a good idea to change out the batteries everytime you put on new rubber?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,812
Likes: 15
From: Central Ohio
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,127
Likes: 6
Tire Pressure Monitoring Sensors - TPMS Sensors
Generally, batteries are suppose to last 4 to 5 years.
Some sensors are not user serviceable -- you just slap on a new sensor.
So if your tires are 3 to 4 years old, might as well go all new.
Don't want to take the tire off again!
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
I'd put all 4 sensors in the spare. Havn't heard about anything being able to disable the system yet. This is what happens when big brother gets involved in things they shouldn't and know nothing about. I'm just glad my truck doesn't have the setup.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,812
Likes: 15
From: Central Ohio
DKF the system are activated by the tires spining up to a certain speed (30mph or something like that) I dont think you can fool it with the spare. But why would you want to? OK sometimes it triggers just because they set the pressure on them pretty high and running around empty maybe you dont run em that high, but so what its just a little tiny amber light on the dash its not like its going to prevent you from starting the motor or something. My big gripe is it not being user-setable and being able to view the actual pressures for each tire.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
Why does a sensor have to be spinning to detect the tire pressure and tire temperature? If you have stock tires I'm shure the setup is ok, start changing tires around that require different air pressures and you can run into issues. Your right the light on the dash is not a big deal but it would annoy me, kinda like the seatbelt chime and key in ignition chime.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,674
Likes: 2
I know the aftermarket ones found in the Orange units are rated at 7 years.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,674
Likes: 2
Just a guess, but possibly battery saver? I can see the sensors having an auto off feature that turns back on when rotation is detected. Just a thought.