Nitrogen in tires

[Lex]

Has anyone switched over to Nitrogen in your tires?

I was told it will lose pressure slower than regular air. Sounds like it could be of value for those of us with the TPMS systems and the annoying little light when it's 3-5 psi low.



Lex

 

[wolfgang]

Also does not hold moisture like normal air -- moisture will, of course, mess up the sensors. CostCo now uses Nitrogen in tires they sell.

 

[sharp4runr]

Just don't be fooled by the folks trying to charge you $40 to fill your tires with N2. It is better than normal O2, but not worth the $40 IMO.

 

[greasefingers]

There already 78 % nitrogen in air so paying to get rid of 21 % O2 is not worth it. I believe pure nitrogen does not change pressure as much as air with respect to temperature changes. I imagine it really only plays a major when racing.

 

[rook]

If you used heilim or hydrogen, your wheels would be lighter and that would save more too :bash:

A good shop should have a water separator on their air lines therefore, regular air is more then adequate. Unless its free, fugeddaboudit.

 

[<<<<]

I bet some one tried propane at some point I wounder what happened?:

 

[wolfgang]

Agreed that its not worth paying extra for -- but even "air" is not free at local gas stations any more. Gas stations do very little to filter (to get water out) air they use. Just empty your home air compressor and see how much water comes out of the tank since air contains oxygen and hydrogen (like in H2O). Nitrogen is denser (bigger molecules) than air - so tire loses air 3x slower. Tires run cooler. There is less steel and rubber deterioration - especially important if you have TPS! Not sure if scientifically supported but claim is .5 miles/gal better mileage.

 

[<<<<]

It takes a lot of air to inflate 275x17 size tire. Call me cheap but I dont even buy bottled water. Why pay for 100% Nitrogen a lot of money if you can get 78.09% for free.

 

[pipspeak]

If you used heilim or hydrogen, your wheels would be lighter and that would save more too

I have an image of a 4runner floating above the traffic

But seriously... nitrogen is just a marketing gimmick IMO. Fine if you get it free but not worth going out of your way for. Just stick with the 78%/21% Nitrogen/Oxygen mix that has performed fine in tires for almost a century.