Justy

While visiting the local Honda dealer to buy some wiper inserts for my TL, I noticed a sharp looking new, black Honda Civic SI. The window sticker listed a number of dealer installed options including wheel locks, mud guards, etc.

One dealer option made me laugh - $80.00 for inflating the tires with nitrogen!

I'm aware of nitrogen's use in aircraft tires, military vehicles, and race cars; I've read the AcuraZine threads. Still, this is very creative new car pricing especially because American Honda's written advice for tire inflation is "Just stick with the air you breathe" [Acura Service News, September 2006].

How about $100.00 for dealer installed graphite in the door locks?

BrandonClaps

People say its better, but $80? They are doing it for free at some places *shrug* as far as the O2 vs Nitrogen.....i have no idea

pnoi521

We get it for free on my moms Honda from Costco! :-)

MichaelBenz

iTrader: (2)

Nitrogen will expand just like regular air.
Ideal gas law ignores what the gas is. Air (80% N) and pure Nitrogen (98% N) should expand at the same rate. http://jersey.uoregon.edu/vlab/Piston/index.html

The two big factors I can see are:
1. dryer - if there is water inside that can cause expansion problems at high temps and other issues.
2. lack of O2. I don't think N is such a great gas, but removing O2 keeps things from corroding, rusting, oxidizing etc.
That is why it is so great for air tools. No moisture and no oxygen would make them virtually rust and corrosion free.

The upside is that it can't hurt.
There are advantages, but they are pretty minor.


Basically...the flaw in the Honda article is that they compare it to dry compressed air....but....in fact...many compressors are not outfitted with a dryer. Many are....but many are not also. That is kind of the issue...the presence of water.

Roughly every 15 years, the Nitrogen fad comes and goes. I'm sure you'll all see it fade out within the next year or so, then in about 15 more years, they'll come out with Nitrogen again, as if it's the greatest thing on earth. Trust me, just watch.

ndabunka

Nitrogen in tires has been used for many years on the NASCAR circuit. It runs cooler and does not have the problems with varying pressure levels so it's much more consistant. For the past few years all NASCAR teams have been running nitrogen

MichaelBenz

iTrader: (2)

We are not exactly running Nascars though...I would agree in those extreme circumstances.

drmwvr

In addittion, doesn't Honda/Acura say in on of the Service bulletins you link to in another thread http://www.in.honda.com/Rjanisis/pubs/SN/B060900.PDF that they don't see any apparant advatanges to nitrogen?

I think it is sad that while Honda does not support nitrogen, the dealers are trying to sell it like it is the next best thing to sliced bread

I guess it is all about money, not what's best for your car.

Shoot2Thrill

https://acurazine.com/forums/car-talk-5/nitrogen-instead-air-tires-295065/

Not worth anything. Not even the drive to get it. Dealer is taking advantage of people who are not educated. If you had advanced science in HS you might know PV=nRT. Ideal gas law.

MichaelBenz

iTrader: (2)

Couldnt agree with you more! I mean....in racing...ok....regular use...not worth it. In racing...they use em on air tools, ect all the time for obvious reasons....but that is a MAJOR high level of racing too....keeps the oxidation out of their tools. If you got the money/sponsors....why not....but for anybody to seek it out seems overkill given the limited benefits in normal driving conditions.