Community Forums

tranquility · 10-30-2011, 01:40 PM

How much of a benifit is nitrogen filled tires?

Cyclone Dave · 10-30-2011, 02:48 PM

I researched this a while back and found there is no real advantage. But that's just me.

EDALLSAILS · 10-30-2011, 02:55 PM

Save you money. It may be useful at 200 MPH in NASCAR Sprint Cup. But, if one morning you have a low pressure alert what are you going to do. do you carry Nitrogen in your coach? so, of course you are going to add plain old AIR! Mike Cody at Freifghtliner recomends AIR! The bifggest benefit of it is to the installing dealer who will charge you an additional 5 to 10 bucks per tire! ed

450Donn · 10-30-2011, 03:03 PM

Hugh benefit for the tire store selling you the nitrogen. At least for their pockets.
There is exactly zero benefit for the average driver. Remember, the air you are breathing is approx 78% nitrogen to star with.

Route 66 · 10-30-2011, 03:38 PM

It's a solution to a nonexistent problem.

It does do an excellent job of separating your money from you.

DennyD · 10-30-2011, 04:59 PM

First question to ask seller is "How do you remove air to put nitrogen in tire" and then watch them stutter!

Cat320 · 10-30-2011, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyclone Dave

I researched this a while back and found there is no real advantage.

I did too...same results.

slickest1 · 10-30-2011, 06:12 PM

I had a tire dealer trying to sell me a set of tires for my pickup. The price he quoted was close to $20. a tire more than I could buy the same tire at Costco. I told him that, and he said go ahead then and buy them at Costco and they will fill them with nitrogen and when you have a low tire what are you going to do. Not only was he expensive he was stupid to boot and I told him so. Costco got my business!

Mr_D · 10-30-2011, 06:22 PM

Here's what Continental says about Nitrogen in tires:

Quote:

Introduction & Purpose

Nitrogen is being offered as an alternative to air for tire inflation. The purpose of this bulletin is to provide general information about inflating tires with nitrogen.

Tires are designed and built to provide many miles of excellent service but must be maintained properly. The key element of proper tire maintenance is maintaining the recommended tire inflation pressure. The proper tire inflation pressure is recommended by the vehicle manufacturer and can be found on the vehicle’s tire placard or in the vehicle owner’s manual. Continental Tire recommends that the consumer check his/her tire inflation pressure at regular intervals of at least once per month and before every long trip or twice per month depending on local regulations, customs, or conditions.

Using Nitrogen in Tires

Nitrogen is an inert (non-flammable) gas – basically, nothing more than dry air with oxygen removed. For example, ambient air contains about 78% nitrogen. Because of nitrogen’s inert properties, it is often used in highly specialized tire service applications and/or demanding environments. These tire service applications usually include aircraft, mining, and commercial/heavy use. Also, nitrogen is used in professional motor racing involving extreme vehicle speeds. We understand that dry nitrogen is used in this regard to help reduce tire pressure variations where even small differences in pressure can affect vehicle handling at the extreme limits of performance.

For normal everyday consumer tire service applications, nitrogen tire inflation is not required. However, nitrogen tire inflation does not harm tires and may marginally contribute to reductions in tire inflation loss by permeation. Nevertheless, nitrogen will not prevent any tire inflation loss caused by punctures, tire/rim interface (bead) leaks, valve leaks, valve/rim interface leaks, wheel leaks, and other mechanical leaks. Again, the use of nitrogen alone does not substitute for the importance of regularly checking tire inflation pressure. If the tire inflation pressure is below the pressure specified on the vehicle placard, the tire must be re-inflated – whether with air or nitrogen – to the proper inflation pressure. Do not operate tires underinflated and/or overloaded (see “Warning”). Whether inflated with air or nitrogen, regular tire inflation pressure maintenance remains critical and necessary. Use of nitrogen alone is not a replacement for regular tire inflation pressure maintenance.

WARNING [!] Underinflation and/or overloading tires will create excessive stresses and heat build up that can lead to tire disablement, such as by a tread-belt separation and/or detachment, causing serious injury or death.

Gerall · 10-30-2011, 07:28 PM

Next they will want to charge you extra to fill your tires with helium, thereby lowering your axle weight

WeatherTodd · 10-30-2011, 07:35 PM

I would be more concerned with a having "dry" air than pure nitrogen. Plus you have the seat the bead then evac the tire a few times to get a pure fill.

sdennislee · 10-30-2011, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DennyD

First question to ask seller is "How do you remove air to put nitrogen in tire" and then watch them stutter!

Now that's funny

sdennislee · 10-30-2011, 08:05 PM

I've been using 78% nitrogen in my tires all my life, including the many bicycles I had as a child.

Ray,IN · 10-31-2011, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WeatherTodd

I would be more concerned with a having "dry" air than pure nitrogen. Plus you have the seat the bead then evac the tire a few times to get a pure fill.

Exactly right! Merely use an air dryer/filter on your air compressor and you put "dry air" into stuff. It also reduces temperature/pressure variation, as moisture in air accounts for widely varying pressure. I have de-mounted many automobile tires to find a few ounces of water inside, which comes from re-filling tires with moisture-laden air.