Nitrogen filled tires

[JUST4FUN]

I bought new tires yesterday Coopers
the owner was saying how good it was to fill with nitrogen
5 bucks a tire so i did it,whats your opinion.
heres the benifits

Better air pressure retention -- Nitrogen doesn't seep out through the tire walls like Oxygen can, so tires remain fully inflated longer.
Enhanced fuel economy -- Nitrogen dissipates heat faster than air, and heat causes rolling resistance. "Maintaining tire pressure can boost fuel economy by as much as 6 percent."
Longer tread life -- Filling your tires with pure Nitrogen makes tires run cooler, which will reduce tire failure. It also prevents oxidation, which can cause tread separation and belt failure. Since Nitrogen doesn't carry moisture, it won't cause rust on the inside of rims and valve stems.
Slow chemical aging -- "Filling a tire with Nitrogen also significantly slows the chemical aging process of the tire's rubber components

 

[TrailerTrash]

I have no experience with nitrogen, but am seeing more and more shops offering it. One of our local shops is offering it "free" with any tire purchase. (Sorry, but I sell for a living... NOTHING is free - there's always an angle).

My concern is if you get a leak (puncture) - can you inflate the tire with compressed air (mixed with the nitrogen), or do you have to stick with nitrogen?

Is anyone running nitrogen in their tires? In theory it sounds like a great idea.

 

[thereason21]

I am, i havent noticed much a difference in economy. I would hope not i average 14 mpg in my 97 EB. I had them filled with nitro in april ... havent added air or noticed lower tire pressure yet. My girlfriend did however have to add air to her 05 rendezvous i figured what could it hurt. Havent had any problems since.

 

[chuck s]

I use a special blend roughly (by molar content/volume) 78% nitrogen, 20.95% oxygen, 0.93% argon, 0.038% carbon dioxide, trace amounts of other gases, and a variable amount (average around 1%) of water vapor.

Works wonderfully. Recommend it highly!

-- Chuck

 

[AvroAero]

Sounds like something so very unoticeable that I'd rather spend my 20 bucks on a steak.

 

[4x4Dude]

Originally posted by AvroAero
Sounds like something so very unoticeable that I'd rather spend my 20 bucks on a steak.

I like your logic!

 

[ELVATO]

Originally posted by chuck s
I use a special blend roughly (by molar content/volume) 78% nitrogen, 20.95% oxygen, 0.93% argon, 0.038% carbon dioxide, trace amounts of other gases, and a variable amount (average around 1%) of water vapor.

Works wonderfully. Recommend it highly!

-- Chuck

Hahaha

Even though I use them, I've heard that it's not such a good idea to use the gas station air machines as they put in a more water than normal in the tires.

As far as the nitrogen thing, nothing bad happens with a "blend" of it and air since, well, as Chuck pointed out out, "normal" air has plenty of air in it. If you want any benefit, you have to completely get all of the "normal" air out of the tire (as in remove the valve stem and let the tire deflate completely.)

 

[gglaeser22]

We use Nitrogen in tires on Fighter Jets in the Navy. Doesn't expand at altitude.
I guess since my Expy isn't at 32K ft, doing 450kts I'll probably stick with regular old air. Ha Ha
I agree with the $20 steak!

Just4fun- Where are those facts from? Not trying to argue with you, just wondering if they are legit. I've gotten brochures with bogus info in the past. Usually dealing with engine oil additives and/or engine bolt on mods.
Thanks
G

 

[green monster]

Just my 2 cents.
I've been using nitrogen in tires in two cars. Since I've got winter and summer tires, they get swapped twice a year. Pressure stays the same and they get topped off once a year when I swap them.
Also, I don't know that I'd pay for it, but COSTCO Wholesale club includes it for free when you buy tires from them and refills them when I change seasonal tires. At lot better than regular air which I had to top off about every 45 to 60 days around here.
Now, if only I could get nitrogen in my campers tires. they seem to lose air every month during the summer.

 

[Buck Nasty]

I have nitrogen in my tires as well. Only because I work and buy my tires at Costco! The biggest thing I notice is that the tires seem to hold pressure a little longer. They still seem to fluctuate PSI in large temp changes....but not as much as compressed air.

If you happen to get nitrogen inflation, great. You'll see some benefit. Whatever you do, don't pay for it! Most new cars are now coming inflated with nitrogen and most tire joints and following Costco in offering N2 tire inflation. So, I'm sure free Nitrogen tire inflation will be commonplace soon.

 

[old tired rebel]

One question. Does it help the mpg?

 

[Buck Nasty]

Originally posted by old tired rebel
One question. Does it help the mpg?

Indirectly, yes. Only because it allows you to maintain optimum pressure longer. Straight-up PSI is the key to fuel econ (along with tire size, tread design, etc).

Officially, you lose 1 PSI per month with compressed air. You're able to go a bit longer with N2 but, haven't heard any statistics.

 

[AvroAero]

The way I see it, its going to take a very long time even IF it does help any, to make it worth it. Unless your making a super economic car. Saw on a forum a while back, some guy was stripping a neon to the bone and doing every economic mod he could fine. Was aiming for 40mpg.

 

[rmatthews8984]

Originally posted by AvroAero
Sounds like something so very unoticeable that I'd rather spend my 20 bucks on a steak.

+1. Good Ol' Air is fine with me!