Nitrogen Air
Chapter Leader (New England)
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 998
Likes: 21
From: W. Hart, CT & Amelia Island, FL
Taken from straightdope.com.....
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/...instead-of-air
I don't see a need.
Most tires are filled with compressed air, which when dry consists of about 78 percent nitrogen, 21 percent oxygen, and 1 percent other gases by volume. Water vapor (humidity) can make up as much as 5 percent of the volume of air under worst-case conditions. 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. The commonly quoted figure is that tires inflated to 32 psi get 3 percent better mileage than at 24 psi.
I don't see a need.
Registered but harmless
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 14,889
Likes: 1,164
From: Los Angeles, CA
However, as JMiller noted, air is already 78% nitrogen, and most benefits of pure nitrogen are practically undetectable for street-driven cars.
I wouldn't bother.
It's just pure nitrogen-- tire shops charge for nitrogen from "Nitrofill." Costco uses nitrogen to fill its replacement tires, and it's free/included in the tire cost.
However, as JMiller noted, air is already 78% nitrogen, and most benefits of pure nitrogen are practically undetectable for street-driven cars.
I wouldn't bother.
However, as JMiller noted, air is already 78% nitrogen, and most benefits of pure nitrogen are practically undetectable for street-driven cars.
I wouldn't bother.
I had it on and it did help but was too much of a hassle. Every time I hit a bump and some air escaped I could only fill it with nitro which is very rare so I just put air back in it and said forget it!
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,192
Likes: 26
From: Pacific NW
It's just pure nitrogen-- tire shops charge for nitrogen from "Nitrofill." Costco uses nitrogen to fill its replacement tires, and it's free/included in the tire cost.
However, as JMiller noted, air is already 78% nitrogen, and most benefits of pure nitrogen are practically undetectable for street-driven cars.
I wouldn't bother.
However, as JMiller noted, air is already 78% nitrogen, and most benefits of pure nitrogen are practically undetectable for street-driven cars.
I wouldn't bother.
At the local gas station, they had so much moisture in the air tanks it was rediculous... You could actually soak your hands in water by sprayig the air on it.
AZ Community Team
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 32,488
Likes: 7,771
From: N35°03'16.75", W 080°51'0.9"
Q:
So if the air in your tires now is 78% N2, how do get the other 22% of O2, etc out to have a "Nitrogen Fill"?
A:
You don't, ever, get 100% N2. Can't be done unless you fill your tires in a vacuum.
IMHO, N2 is a waste of time for a daily driver. Small improvement in pressure with temp variation and in maintaining pressure over time, but if you pay attention to oyur TPMS and/or check pressure from time-to-time, it's a total waste.
So if the air in your tires now is 78% N2, how do get the other 22% of O2, etc out to have a "Nitrogen Fill"?
A:
You don't, ever, get 100% N2. Can't be done unless you fill your tires in a vacuum.
IMHO, N2 is a waste of time for a daily driver. Small improvement in pressure with temp variation and in maintaining pressure over time, but if you pay attention to oyur TPMS and/or check pressure from time-to-time, it's a total waste.
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Instructor
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Q:
So if the air in your tires now is 78% N2, how do get the other 22% of O2, etc out to have a "Nitrogen Fill"?
A:
You don't, ever, get 100% N2. Can't be done unless you fill your tires in a vacuum.
IMHO, N2 is a waste of time for a daily driver. Small improvement in pressure with temp variation and in maintaining pressure over time, but if you pay attention to oyur TPMS and/or check pressure from time-to-time, it's a total waste.
So if the air in your tires now is 78% N2, how do get the other 22% of O2, etc out to have a "Nitrogen Fill"?
A:
You don't, ever, get 100% N2. Can't be done unless you fill your tires in a vacuum.
IMHO, N2 is a waste of time for a daily driver. Small improvement in pressure with temp variation and in maintaining pressure over time, but if you pay attention to oyur TPMS and/or check pressure from time-to-time, it's a total waste.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,192
Likes: 26
From: Pacific NW
The improvement in pressure variation was noticeable to me... I used to get annoyed with the TPMS reported low pressure when it was cold, but getting back in the normal range when the tires heated up... When I stopped getting air at the gas station (which I noticed had a LOT of water in it), and got my own air compressor (for other reasons), and installed a line dryer... I stopped getting such drastic pressure variations with temperature, and the TPMS stopped getting on my nerves.
AZ Community Team
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 32,488
Likes: 7,771
From: N35°03'16.75", W 080°51'0.9"
Like I said, you can get 99.99% the benefit of N2, by simply getting your own air compressor, and installing a line-dryer, which you can get for < $20.
The improvement in pressure variation was noticeable to me... I used to get annoyed with the TPMS reported low pressure when it was cold, but getting back in the normal range when the tires heated up... When I stopped getting air at the gas station (which I noticed had a LOT of water in it), and got my own air compressor (for other reasons), and installed a line dryer... I stopped getting such drastic pressure variations with temperature, and the TPMS stopped getting on my nerves.
The improvement in pressure variation was noticeable to me... I used to get annoyed with the TPMS reported low pressure when it was cold, but getting back in the normal range when the tires heated up... When I stopped getting air at the gas station (which I noticed had a LOT of water in it), and got my own air compressor (for other reasons), and installed a line dryer... I stopped getting such drastic pressure variations with temperature, and the TPMS stopped getting on my nerves.
Wish I had a compressor.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 443
Likes: 4
I paid the dealer a one time fee of $50 and I have nitro for life on my tires anytime I need it. Personally I think its worth it b/c the tires seem to hold their pressure longer and I think it does feel a bit smoother. Plus they gave me cool nitro caps for my wheels 
Suzuka Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,674
Likes: 2,600
From: Raleigh, NC - USA
I have it in the 20" tires on my Expedition (freebee on the purchase) & it seems to work well. Have yet to add after 10K miles (summer-fall-winter). Also comes with free flat fix road, hazard etc.
Also have a compressor with a dryer for the other cars. I don't think I would pay extra for it but would not turn it down if its was offered as an incentive to buy.
Also have a compressor with a dryer for the other cars. I don't think I would pay extra for it but would not turn it down if its was offered as an incentive to buy.
G Force
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 419
Likes: 1
True, it holds the pressure way longer.
Like 6 to 8 months.
It'll drop during winter, but once back in warmer days, it'll go up again and maintain previous pressure.
I had mine done all 4 wheels within a week after I got my TL-S
Like 6 to 8 months.
It'll drop during winter, but once back in warmer days, it'll go up again and maintain previous pressure.
I had mine done all 4 wheels within a week after I got my TL-S
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 434
Likes: 2
From: Long Island, New York
If nitrogen-filled tires make you feel better go for it. As the linked article - and many, many others - will tell you, for street cars there is negligible benefit other than the psychological.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Alpharetta, GA
If it's 40 or below around my area and my car has sitting all night long... My TPMS goes crazy in the morning saying that i have 29 PSI in all 4 tires. However, within five minutes driving time the warning goes away. This is really annoying at times. Not sure if my dealer filled me up with Nitrogen air when i bought the car a month ago.
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