Nitrogen In Tires

[puffy]

This isn't about pipe smoking but it's something you might want to know.I recently bought on of those fancy computerized cars.One of the things it tells you is what the pressure is in each tire.I'm told that in order for the sensors that tell you that to work properly you must have Nitrogen instead of air in your tires.This is where a bit of problem starts.Very few places other than dealers in my town are equipped to put this nitrogen in your tires.In my case I seem to have a slow leak in one tire.I now am being informed by this computerized mobile for the third time that said tire is low.So I'm off to the dealer in the morning to see if I can get a permenent fix on this tire and get that orange picture of a tire in my dash to go to sleep for a while.Of course just to make this experience more fun than it otherwise would be the dealership is doesn't allow smoking inside the building..

 

[brewshooter]

While I understand there are some benefits of nitrogen in the tires, I'm still not convinced it's necessary for your average passenger vehicle. When I replaced the low profile tires on my car, didn't realize how expensive those things were when I bought the vehicle, they filled them with nitrogen and told me I could come in and get it refilled whenever. That was two years ago...I've just been filling them with my air compressor at home.

 

[rd02sir]

Nitrogen filled tires will not deflate nor inflate with differences in temperature. Unlike air, when it gets colder, your tire pressure goes down, causing you to fill them again. Usually autoparts stores will have a machine to fill with nitrogen, even those "quick lube" places have them now.
It is not nessiaary for you to use nitrogen, it's just less of a hasstle with temperature change.
The tire leak may be from a nail or other foreign object in the tire, and not due to the air in your tires. Go to a shop or get a car savvy friend check it out.

 

[rd02sir]

Brew- the reason they use nitrogen in low pros, is because it's hard to "see" if the tire is low. You physically need to check with a pressure gauge. Because the sidewalls are stiffer in a low profile tire, it is harder to see that it's low. With air, as the tire heats up the tire will inflate, changing the way the car feels and handles (Extream racing conditions ofcourse.), even for everyday driving. Too much or little pressure will effect your mpg, tire wear and general maintenance and feel of the car.
On that note. You should never assume your tire pressure is OK just by looking at it. Use a gauge.
When I race, I can tell the difference 5 psi makes when letting loose.

 

[ssjones]

Rd02Sir speaks the truth about tire pressues. Personally, I think the nitrogen fill by dealers on new cars is a scam (I agree with brewshooter). All tires will eventually need topped off, where are you going to find nitrogen? I think the benefits for a daily driver is nill and this is just a money maker for the dealer at the time of the sale, like paint treatments, etc. That is my opinion (from a guy who has driven over 500,000 miles since '03) and has owned a lot of cars/motorcycles.
Unfortunately, the pressure monitoring systems on some cars is not fool-proof and you might get false warnings, particularly in very cold weather. My Nissan constantly reads low when temps drop abruptly. The Nissan dealer tried adjusting the sensitivity, to no avail. My daughters Kia is the same way (same brand of sensors I bet). My wifes Silverado has never had an issue (two trucks). Still you should check. I ignored a low tire light last Spring, in a hurry, assumed it was the cool morning. I was driving to the airport and yep, had a flat with a screw in one tire. I barely got the spare on and to the airport in time to catch my flight. Now, I check every time. Everyone does have a good gauge in their car, right? Get one if you do not. Fool me only once!

 

[brewshooter]

Way ahead of you, unlike many people I know, I check my cold tire pressure on a regular basis. I always keep them within two or three pounds of proper inflation. I also rotate them and change my own oil. I'm no mechanic, but some people seem to be under the impression that basic car maintenance requires an advanced engineering degree. People, lift the hood, look at the belts, wires, fluid levels, anything not look right?!?!
I would also agree, that for racing and extreme driving situations, nitrogen makes perfect sense. I'm just not sure it's absoultely necessary for most people and seems more of a neat sales gimmick a lot of times. "Your tires costs how much?!!?? Oh, you fill them with nitrogen. Oh, I see. Tell you what, why don't you just go ahead and shoot them full of this smog filled stuff we're breathing and then tell me the price."
Of course I say this like I know what I'm doing. The other day I was changing the oil on my car and when I popped the hood and was scanning from the air filter over towards the battery I suddenly thought, "Oh, so that's where that long screwdriver went!"

 

[brewshooter]

Everyone does have a good gauge in their car, right? Get one if you do not. Fool me only once!

Ha, this reminds me, my work vehicle had a puncture the other day and I pulled off the freeway and got out the cheap stick type gauge that was in the glove box. I guess the thing was past its prime, the little stick part shot about 15 feet across the parking lot when I pressed the thing against the stem. I need a new one!

 

[jcsnaps]

If I remember science class correctly isn't "air" about 78% nitrogen to begin with? I'm thinking marketing scam.

 

[ssjones]

I get the "Accu-Gauge" tp gauge from Autozone. They are about $15 and most have a rubber boot to protect them. I keep one in each vehicle and a one with an extended hose for the bikes.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006O2RV0/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0006O2S0U&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0G4Y4FK4WW64FEVRAGJF

 

[brewshooter]

Yep, I use the same thing with the flexible hose for my motorcycle and around the garage on the cars. I love the thing. Okay, love might be too strong. I like it a lot!

 

[chopz]

yes air is mostly nitrogen, and as far as i know, nitrogen becomes more dense when cooled and expands when heated just like any other gas. i would just use air. and i'd probably write a nasty letter to the manufacturer.

 

[ssjones]

From the Tire Rack article, which pretty much sums it up nicely:

[/quote]Rather than pay extra for nitrogen, most drivers would be better off buying an accurate tire pressure gauge and checking and adjusting their tire pressures regularly.

 

[igloo]

N stays cold under pressure and a tires worst enemy is heat . Ever wonder why you see more blowouts in the summer .I do not rotate my tires it is my belief that is left over wisdom from the 1950s , if a tire is not wearing true fix the real problem . And I also run my oil out to 15000 miles only changing out the filter every 5000 miles and no I do not use synthetic oil . Oil and tires have come a long way . In the 35 years I have been selling them . Class 8 trucks now run oil out ot 35 and 40 thousand miles . And thier engines cost more than most cars . Same with steer tires running out to 150 to 200 thousand miles . All new tires need is proper inflation . I recomend and use Camel[Amflo] products gauges with a brass meter rods for the best gauge you can get .

 

[philobeddoe]

The TPMS system in your car is governed by pressure it makes no difference if you fill it with nitrogen or plain old air. The sensor can come on with as little as 3 pounds difference in tire pressures between the tires. Also, many auto parts stores will reset your sensors for free.

 

[unclearthur]

I think helium or hydrogen would be more fun. Though traction may be a problem. 8O

 

[philip]

I think helium or hydrogen would be more fun.

And put flubber in the engine.

 

[unclearthur]

GOOD PLAN!!

 

[chopz]

that tirerack article was good but this: "However it’s important to remember that atmospheric pressure is constantly pushing oxygen and moisture into the rubber from the outside of the tire" is a bit hard to swallow. can't see atmospheric pressure pushing anything into a container that's got a few dozen psi of pressurized gas in it.

 

[loneredtree]

Yup! the nitrogen in tires is a scam. As jc put it air is 78% nitrogen. And, the pressure will vary with temperature of a gas.
:mrgreen: