Tire Inflation: Straight Air vs. Nitrogen

[A Psycho Martyr]

I'm curious as to what the hype is about with Nitrogen in your tires. I just heard about it, but KNOW nothing about it. Anyone with experience willimg to lend advice? Like, does your tread last longer? Does it effect mpg? Is it inexpensive? Basically any pros or cons. Thanks

[A Psycho Martyr]

I found this on one site. It's just something some guy typed in, but it sounds informative at least.....Filling your tires with nitrogen mainly does two things: it eliminates moisture, and it replaces skinny oxygen molecules with fat nitrogen molecules, reducing the rate at which compressed gas diffuses through porous tire walls. That means, theoretically at least, that a tire filled with nitrogen retains optimal pressure longer, leading to more uniform tire wear and better gas mileage.

[tribalman]

hype. that's all it is. same as in paintball. every 2 years we get this nitrogen vs compressed air argument. the air we breathe is 3/4 nitrogen anyways. as for the Quote »Filling your tires with nitrogen mainly does two things: it eliminates moisture, and it replaces skinny oxygen molecules with fat nitrogen moleculesit makes no sense. oxygen has a larger periodic number, ergo it is bigger as it has more protons, neutrons and electrons. http://www.corrosionsource.com...e.gif oh the hype machine, how i loathe you!!

[tribalman]

and you would still need to check the pressure often as temperatures still affect a pure nitrogen vs air; warm temps higher pressures and lower temps means lower pressures in the tires.

[star_deceiver]

Take a DEEP breath.... good for you, you just breathed in 78% Nitrogen.If air is leaking out of your tires, it's because you have some sort of leak... the molecule makeup of what you fill the tires with is irrelevent!Tire pressures go up and down with temperature and altitude so check them regularly.Nitrogen inflation, another miracle cure.....brought to you by your local snake-oil dealer!

[Water boy]

Quote, originally posted by star_deceiver »...Tire pressures go up and down with temperature and altitude so check them regularly.Nitrogen inflation, another miracle cure.....brought to you by your local snake-oil dealer!+1

[ou.grizzly]

Quick readhttp://www.thetruthaboutcars.c...rogen/http://blogs.consumerreports.o....html

[Caretaker]

Good post grizz. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. is ambivalent about the use of nitrogen. The Rubber Manufacturers Association says it it's a good thing– when it's free. Michelin goes a step further. They recommend nitrogen only for tires used "in high risk environments” like aircraft landing gear and racing.Since it appears the nitrogen molecules leave the tire less often, and the above posting by ou.grizzley does mention racing, I'm sticking with the free nitrogen that Costco provides me. Even if I have to put in some O2, Costco will evacuate the entire tire and replace it with pure Nitrogen at any time. Since I work next to one, I'm lucky enought to be able to take advantage of the free rotations and nitrogen fills.

[A Psycho Martyr]

Thanks for the info everyone. I kinda had a feelin it was hype, just thought I'd get input from you guys. And I'm pretty sure everywhere around here charges for it too. Anyways, thanks!

[Old Tele man]

...people can't make money selling AIR, so they sell NITROGEN (N2)....why BUY what's free? (until Uncle Sam learns how to tax it)

[keithvibe]

Quote, originally posted by Old Tele man »...people can't make money selling AIR, so they sell NITROGEN (N2)....why BUY what's free? (until Uncle Sam learns how to tax it)I don't know about you but people can make money selling AIR... ever pull in to a gas station where they have an air pump? 50-75cents each cycle

[northvibe]

I race and still use my own tire pump...meh there is honestly not a benefit to it if I have to pay for it.

[ColonelPanic]

Quote, originally posted by keithvibe »I don't know about you but people can make money selling AIR... ever pull in to a gas station where they have an air pump? 50-75cents each cycleThe station closest to home has a wireless debit card reader attached to the machine... Swipe your CC for $0.75 worth of air, how fricken cool is that?

[beemerphile1]

Maybe they should sell helium for tires. It will make our cars lighter and thus have better fuel mieage. And if you get bored you can always bleed some off and talk like Mickey Mouse.