Nitrogen for tires

[GM-Tech]

Info - Use of Nitrogen Gas in Tires #05-03-10-020 - (Dec 22, 2005)

Use of Nitrogen Gas in Tires

 

All 2006 and Prior GM Passenger Cars and Light/Medium Duty Trucks (including Saturn)

 

2003-2006 HUMMER H2

 

2006 HUMMER H3

 

2005-2006 Saab 9-7X

 

GM's Position on the Use of Nitrogen Gas in Tires

 

General Motors does not oppose the use of purified nitrogen as an inflation gas for tires. We expect the theoretical benefits to be reduced in practical use due to the lack of an existing infrastructure to continuously facilitate inflating tires with nearly pure nitrogen. Even occasional inflation with compressed atmospheric air will negate many of the theoretical benefits. Given those theoretical benefits, practical limitations, and the robust design of GM original equipment TPC tires, the realized benefits to our customer of inflating their tires with purified nitrogen are expected to be minimal.

 

The Promise of Nitrogen: Under Controlled Conditions

 

Recently, nitrogen gas (for use in inflating tires) has become available to the general consumer through some retailers. The use of nitrogen gas to inflate tires is a technology used in automobile racing. The following benefits under controlled conditions are attributed to nitrogen gas and its unique properties:

 

• A reduction in the expected loss of Tire Pressure over time.

 

• A reduction in the variance of Tire Pressures with temperature changes due to reduction of water vapor concentration.

 

• A reduction of long term rubber degradation due to a decrease in oxygen concentrations.

 

Important: These are obtainable performance improvements when relatively pure nitrogen gas is used to inflate tires under controlled conditions.

 

 

 

The Promise of Nitrogen: Real World Use

 

Nitrogen inflation can provide some benefit by reducing gas migration (pressure loss) at the molecular level through the tire structure. NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) has stated that the inflation pressure loss of tires can be up to 5% a month. Nitrogen molecules are larger than oxygen molecules and, therefore, are less prone to "seeping" through the tire casing. The actual obtainable benefits of nitrogen varies, based on the physical construction and the materials used in the manufacturing of the tire being inflated.

 

Another potential benefit of nitrogen is the reduced oxidation of tire components. Research has demonstrated that oxygen consumed in the oxidation process of the tire primarily comes from the inflation media. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that oxidation of tire components can be reduced if the tire is inflated with pure nitrogen. However, only very small amounts of oxygen are required to begin the normal oxidation process. Even slight contamination of the tire inflation gas with compressed atmospheric air during normal inflation pressure maintenance, may negate the benefits of using nitrogen.

 

 

GM Tire Quality, Technology and Focus of Importance

Since 1972, General Motors has designed tires under the TPC (Tire Performance Criteria) specification system, which includes specific requirements that ensure robust tire performance under normal usage. General Motors works with tire suppliers to design and manufacture original equipment tires for GM vehicles. The GM TPC addresses required performance with respect to both inflation pressure retention, and endurance properties for original equipment tires. The inflation pressure retention requirements address availability of oxygen and oxidation concerns, while endurance requirements ensure the mechanical structure of the tire has sufficient strength. This combination has provided our customers with tires that maintain their structural integrity throughout their useful treadlife under normal operating conditions.

 

Regardless of the inflation media for tires (atmospheric air or nitrogen), inflation pressure maintenance of tires is critical for overall tire, and ultimately, vehicle performance. Maintaining the correct inflation pressure allows the tire to perform as intended by the vehicle manufacturer in many areas, including comfort, fuel economy, stopping distance, cornering, traction, treadwear, and noise. Since the load carrying capability of a tire is related to inflation pressure, proper inflation pressure maintenance is necessary for the tire to support the load imposed by the vehicle without excessive structural degradation.

 

Important: Regardless of the inflation media for tires (atmospheric air or nitrogen) inflation pressure maintenance of tires is critical for overall tire, and ultimately, vehicle performance.

 

 

 

 

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.

WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION

 

 

© Copyright General Motors Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

[GMC Rider]

Interesting read. There are clear benefits of using nitrogen, but availability and the lack of "controlled" road environments in the real world are going to reduce the practicality for everyday use. This part also has me thinking it not a good idea:

 

"However, only very small amounts of oxygen are required to begin the normal oxidation process. Even slight contamination of the tire inflation gas with compressed atmospheric air during normal inflation pressure maintenance, may negate the benefits of using nitrogen."

 

 

If you had to fix a flat and were 100 miles from the nearest nitrogen station, you would have no choice but to inflate with regular air and null the purpose of using nitrogen in the first place.

 

It's still a great idea for people at the race track, though.

[Impalacat]

Interesting read.  There are clear benefits of using nitrogen, but availability and the lack of "controlled" road environments in the real world are going to reduce the practicality for everyday use.  This part also has me thinking it not a good idea:

 

"However, only very small amounts of oxygen are required to begin the normal oxidation process. Even slight contamination of the tire inflation gas with compressed atmospheric air during normal inflation pressure maintenance, may negate the benefits of using nitrogen."

 

 

If you had to fix a flat and were 100 miles from the nearest nitrogen station, you would have no choice but to inflate with regular air and null the purpose of using nitrogen in the first place.

 

It's still a great idea for people at the race track, though.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

We run it in our late Model Stock car, that I crew on, it doesn't build as much preasure, ( from the tire temps )during a race as compressed air would, due to the moisture in compressed air. I've never used it in my personal vehichles tho, I just check preassures about once every 2 weeks

[ManyCamaroz]

I've read the pro's and con's of using Nitrogen.

 

I have an unlimited supply of Nitrogen in my work so I decided to try it. I purged the tires of all my vehicles (Yukon, Eldorado ETC, Enclosed

Trailer, Utility trailer, Jet-Ski trailer, Lawn Tractor) several times with Nitrogen to try to remove any resilient air and inflated them with Nitrogen.

 

Whether it helps or not remains to be seen, as I just did it recently. But since It's readily available I figured what the heck.

 

I worked on a Busch Series Racing team pit crew in the early'90's. It's been in use for many years by race teams. Another reason was the convenience of having a cylinder with 2500 lbs. of compressed air. Much easier to move around than an air compressor.

[jaslo]

The tire shop where I get my tires rotated and balanced are advertising that they now have nitrogen. $5 per tire. The said, better handling, better wear on tires, wont lose pressure and 6% better gas mileage. I passed on it.

[Nice rig]

The tire shop where I get my tires rotated and balanced are advertising that they now have nitrogen. $5 per tire. The said, better handling, better wear on tires, wont lose pressure and 6% better gas mileage. I passed on it.

Sounds like a bunch of B/S to me. Check your pressures every couple weeks and call it good. $5 per tire for air .

[Mark_in_Tulsa]

Which reminds me I need to go in and get the factory air in my tires replaced.

[hondaman74]

I work as a parts and service rep for one of the major import manufactures and we have done a lot of research on this subject recently. Here is the bottom line.

 

If you drive a NASCAR, Commercial passenger airplane, such as a 747, or the space shuttle, then man its worth the money. IF you drive a Chevy Honda ford or Toyota, its a waste of money. I had one of my dealers who sells it do it to my company car and I did not notice difference, it did not ride better, or handle better, or behave differently in cold weather, and I live in cold weather.

 

The facts are the air in tires is 70-80% nitrogen anyway. Getting that last 10% is not really worth it. It has to be 95% to get a pure nitrogen fill, and that requires 5-10 depletions and refills to get there. Then they say it wont leak as fast. Key words AS FAST, all tires leak, it inevitable, rubber is not a perfect solid. So guess what when it leaks and you add air your back where you started, unless you go back and have that tire depleted and refilled 5-10 times to get it back to 95%. Its not as easy as just filling the tire with nitrogen, as you would think.

 

Its just not worth it, its a gimmick for the servicing facilities to make more money like BG and all these other flushes and additives out there.

 

Stay clear of the nitrogen. Its not worth the money, but people will by anything, I wish I could market muffler fluid, or bearings I could make a small fortune. I could go on for hours more on this but my hands hurt.

Keith

[tjr508]

The tire shop where I get my tires rotated and balanced are advertising that they now have nitrogen. $5 per tire. The said, better handling, better wear on tires, wont lose pressure and 6% better gas mileage. I passed on it.

 

Throw in 50 bhp and it's a deal.

[DFBonnett]

Since air is about 78% nitrogen to begin with, this seems like just another add-on to goose up the shop tab.

[TedH]

Interesting read. There are clear benefits of using nitrogen, but availability and the lack of "controlled" road environments in the real world are going to reduce the practicality for everyday use. This part also has me thinking it not a good idea:

 

"However, only very small amounts of oxygen are required to begin the normal oxidation process. Even slight contamination of the tire inflation gas with compressed atmospheric air during normal inflation pressure maintenance, may negate the benefits of using nitrogen."

 

 

If you had to fix a flat and were 100 miles from the nearest nitrogen station, you would have no choice but to inflate with regular air and null the purpose of using nitrogen in the first place.

 

It's still a great idea for people at the race track, though.

 

I suspected that was the case.

[1999 Tahoe 4x4]

The tire shop where I get my tires rotated and balanced are advertising that they now have nitrogen. $5 per tire. The said, better handling, better wear on tires, wont lose pressure and 6% better gas mileage. I passed on it.

Well, they are charging $5 for it, right? So no wonder they make all this statements.

 

I'm only surprised they did not mention anything alike the "obvious" benefit of real torque gain at the rear wheels and the consequent increase in speed at quarter block hauls.

[Nytemare]

Since air is about 78% nitrogen to begin with, this seems like just another add-on to goose up the shop tab.

 

 

My thoughts exactly...that and the point some places here advertise it as "Winter Air".

 

I'll get 6% more millage on my tires and fuel...wait...thats 6000Km more on a 100Km rated tire (WOW) and I'll get 30km more to a tank in ideal conditions. Oh yeah thats wort 5 bucks a tire, and the re-inflation price once or twice a month (2 bucks a tire for top up) for sure.