I AM CALLING BS TO NITROGEN FILLED TIRES!!!

[DWalt]

One of the theories was that dry nitrogen varied less with changing temperature than compressed air that came with all kinds of moisture. Makes me think that fitting an air dryer on a normal airline would have a similar effect.

I can't see how the moisture in tire air would make any difference. It can't get hot enough to produce steam.

 

[jbtrucker]

Not sure how, I've never had to pay extra for nitrogen.

Dealer added $40 for nitrogen on a new 2012 Silverado had them remove it. They also put on green valve stem caps for nitrogen filled tires doubt it was used

 

[DWalt]

Total scam. When I was shopping for a new Kia there were two dealers that I could buy from. One dealer had in its fine print that all tires were filled with nitrogen at an extra charge. I went with the other dealer. Several years ago I had a car that nitrogen filled tires. Seemed that I needed to add more nitrogen a lot and the only place that did that was 50 mikes away.

If anything, pure N2 would diffuse through the tire faster than air. N2 has a lower molecular weight than O2.

 

[2ffat]

The AF aircraft I worked on used nitrogen because it is very dry and has no oxygen. No moisture nor O2 means no corrosion inside the components. Corrosion in high-pressure hydraulic accumulators and wheels can be a very bad thing. Even the periscopic sextants I repaired were nitrogen filled to prevent internal fogging/icing when shoved up through the sextant port for shooting stars. Every servicing chart has a temperature correction scale for the pressure to be serviced. Yes, nitrogen still expands and contracts with temperature changes.

We were told that the dealership used Nitrogen in the tires to prevent the pressure sensors from corroding. Recent articles on the subject has said that it is no longer true.

 

[45Smashemflat]

Dad was in Alaska (Nike Herc Battery) back in the 50s. He said they ran nitrogen in tires up there to minimize the moisture in them. Quite often, when you compress air, you make it "wetter" for a given volume. (Think relative humidity…). Moisture in tires in a deep Alaskan winter means frozen flat spots and off balance tires.

I'm not really buying the "less variable pressure" sales pitch. I can accept that drier Nitrogen has its uses in a variety of places. (Tires, scopes, potato chip bags…. Yep, reduces stales.)

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I had Central Ohio service stations tell me it was unsafe to mix compressed air and nitrogen and compressed Air. and refused to sell me new tires because they couldn't work on the old ones. I said I would take care of it and be back tomorrow. I threw the green caps away! The funny thing is; if there were ANYTHING to a real problem with mixing air and Nitrogen, OSHA and the EPA would be all over that writing fines!

Don't explain reality to the village idiot, just nod and move on!

Ivan

 

[LVSteve]

I had Central Ohio service stations tell me it was unsafe to mix compressed air and nitrogen and compressed Air. and refused to sell me new tires because they couldn't work on the old ones. I said I would take care of it and be back tomorrow. I threw the green caps away! The funny thing is; if there were ANYTHING to a real problem with mixing air and Nitrogen, OSHA and the EPA would be all over that writing fines!

Don't explain reality to the village idiot, just nod and move on!

Ivan

Did these clowns also tell you that the pressure listed on the sidewall was the the correct pressure for your vehicle? Sheesh.

 

[BKLooney]

I've only used it a couple of times in the past, never saw any tangible benefit. I wonder if they put it in there so as not to corrode the sensors in the new vehicles?

 

[Chuck24]

I do know that come the very first really cold day, the low pressure light on my 2018 Tundra with good ol air, comes on, while my wife's 2917 Camaro, with the nitrogen, does not.

 

[glowe]

Interesting article from AAA. Explodes almost all the myths about the advantages of Nitrogen.

Top 4 Myths Vs Facts About Using Nitrogen To Inflate Car Tires | AAA Automotive

 

[Alpo]

We used it for the aircraft tires at Delta. Maybe makes a little difference with moisture,corrosion,extreme pressure variations but mainly non flammable.Like you said for regular cars and trucks not sure if big difference.

I ran the tire shop where we did overnights for air Midwest. And I put nitrogen in the tires. Why? Heck if I know. When they taught me how to do it, they said put a hundred pounds of nitrogen in the tires.


Okay.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

There are four kinds of lies in the world: Big Lies, Little Lies, statistics and everything that any salesman says.

 

[tlawler]

Well, if someone runs you off the road into water, then shoots at you, you're screwed if you've got nitrogen in your tires. Give me good old air anytime.

Didn't you guys learn anything from James Bond? Sheesh!

 

[BigBoy99]

I've run 100% nitrogen in my wife's Toyota Venza since we bought it new a few years ago. Frankly, I can't tell any difference.

I bet you can tell the difference when the tire needs to have it's pressure increased! Nitrogen refills are not FREE while air is free.

 

[Kanewpadle]

I remember watching them put nitrogen in SR-71 tires.

I'm sure it made a difference at 80,000 feet. But here on the ground? Total BS.

 

[S42N8]

In my youth I tried nitrogen gas in my tires and they sang down the highway.

I also tried nitrous oxide but they just laughed.

Thanks for this - you saved me at least a couple puns. I may be able to source some peanut brittle.

 

[rwsmith]

It took me about 2 seconds.....

....to call BS on nitrogen filled tires.

If there are any advantages in automobile tires, they are miniscule, probably due to the N2 being drier than ambient air. However, the weathering and oxidation comes mainly from the OUTSIDE of the tires so big whup. Air is already 78% nitrogen.

 

[6518John]

PV=nkT whether it's air, or nitrogen.

I swear I was told or read when I joined this fine forum, "no math would be required." Now I am being faced with a calculus equation! Now my head hurts. The moderators must be taking the day off.

 

[ditrina]

I swear I was told or read when I joined this fine forum, "no math would be required." Now I am being faced with a calculus equation! Now my head hurts. The moderators must be taking the day off.

Oh.... I'm here

 

[GypsmJim]

I didn't read the whole thread. I realize the OP and probably a lot of others have a preconceived notion. Thus, nothing would sway them. And because the thread was opened in the first place, there are probably a lot of naysayers. Opinion means nothing to me. Give me facts from real world data.

You know, auto racers for the most part use N2. I don't know if that matters or not.

When I bought my first new set of tires that were filled by N2 by the dealer, I thought, Oh well, it was free, no extra charge. It can't hurt.

Being a nosy individual I looked at the gas properties in the Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. Old book, had it in the University, hardly read any of it.....LOL.

The specs for air and N2 are so similar that my thought was this whole thing now is merely hype to sell tires.

I was wrong.

My usual method was to fill tires in the winter and summer to keep the right pressure. Tires always use air over time so it's a never-ending task. I do my own oil, so no dealer to do all that **** for me.

Pressure summer to winter stays the same. Never have to add air. No more tire maintenance. Hot to cold pressure is more constant.

That's my finding. And my opinion. Take it or leave it.

If I have to buy new tires and the dealer wants to put air in, I'll shop elsewhere.