Nitrogen In Tires

[mtiffinal]

I tried the search function but didn't get much back. This past week I learned my BIL had put Nitrogen in his tires, and when I asked why, his response was to keep from contracting and expanding. Are there other benefits?

[Stevens03]

The reason people run it is for a more "even" tire pressure, as you were told, it doesn't expand or contract as the temperature does. Suppose to help with tire wear. Also, Nitrogen is suppose to be heavier molecules, so you won't "loose" pressure as quick.

 

I've never tried it but my next set of tires, I just might.

[peteking]

Tires filled with 100% nitrogen will stay inflated longer, and won't expand/contract as much over varying ambient temps (so says Consumer Reports). People talk about it, and the operational Pros seem to outweigh the Cons. But the added cost (and trying to find a supplier) just isn't worth it for me, personally.

[Z'06]

I run ~78% Nitrogen in mine.

[nickvrebel]

I run ~78% Nitrogen in mine.

me too!

[Matt_]

Nitrogen is an ideal gas and WILL change pressure with temperature. Not to mention, as others have joked about already, nitrogen makes up 78% of the "air" you put in your tires

 

Anyone who sells you nitrogen for your tires and says you'll never have to adjust your pressure again is full of BS.

 

There really aren't any "benefits" in the consumer auto market for nitrogen in tires. It's another gimmick that makes people money.

[music]

Unless you plan to run the Indy 500... it's a waste of good $$. Race cars run it because the tires get very hot, and N2 apparently allows more controlled pressure settings. I think the CR test showed a 1-yr bleed-down difference of about 1 to 2 psi between N2 and air under normal driving conditions.

[Doug_Scott]

Unless you plan to run the Indy 500... it's a waste of good $$. Race cars run it because the tires get very hot, and N2 apparently allows more controlled pressure settings. I think the CR test showed a 1-yr bleed-down difference of about 1 to 2 psi between N2 and air under normal driving conditions.

 

The main reason is due to controlled/predictable pressure changed with temp due almost entirely to the dryness of the "air". No moisture in pure nitrogen to screw with the pressure changes. Had they not mentioned it during a nascar race 5 years ago on tv, we would never have had the scam put to us.

[Stevens03]

Nitrogen is an ideal gas and WILL change pressure with temperature. Not to mention, as others have joked about already, nitrogen makes up 78% of the "air" you put in your tires

 

Anyone who sells you nitrogen for your tires and says you'll never have to adjust your pressure again is full of BS.

 

There really aren't any "benefits" in the consumer auto market for nitrogen in tires. It's another gimmick that makes people money.

 

You mean the blinker fluid the dealership put in my headlights was a gimmick?!? They told me my blinkers would blink better and brighter.

[Matt_]

i love you steven

[mtiffinal]

Thanks for the replies, I just never really heard that much about it. Don't think I'll be switching.

[VVT]

I've run it twice now and all I can say is both times for the lifespan of the tires I never had to add air once. Granted this was with Michelin LTX's which are top quality tires but still I was very impressed. Its a no cost service at Costco its part of how they install tires and around here you cant beat their prices on Michelins.

[ryan_hermanutz]

I've run it one tire that had a slow leak that we couldn't figure out where it was coming from. It was leaking about 5 pounds a week so the tire shop offered to put it in because the nitrogen molecules are larger and the was the end of the leak. Personally I don't care what the put in it as long as they don't charge me for something that is free.

[stlavsa]

leaks down to the molecular level!!!

[Matt_]

I don't buy the "leaks less" crap either. You know how small molecules are???????

 

That's like me saying that if you leave the front door of your house wide open, then less grasshoppers will come in than ants. You know, because grasshoppers are like 20 times bigger than ants, so less of them can fit through the door.

 

And wouldn't the leak stop after 22% leaked out since none of the nitrogen would leak? Then if you refill you have a higher % of nitrogen in your tires than you started with.... eventually if you keep refilling your tires you'll end up with 99% nitrogen and the leak will stop......... problem solved!