Tire Pressure

[toyo]

Shops still have to buy/install and use a compressor even if they provide Nitrogen. They do not use Nitrogen for air tools, regular tire fills, lifts etc. The shops around here in Atlanta use a stand alone unit or units for the Nitrogen. I will say that with Nitrogen the air pressure does not seem to fluctuate and lose air as much as with non Nitrogen.

 

[CXS]

"Traditionally, the air compressor powering the pneumatic tool is gas powered. However, there is a growing movement to use Nitrogen gas to power these tools. The benefits are that you can eliminate the exhaust smell and residue associated with the gas powered version and power the tool with compressed Nitrogen gas that will be used to drive the release valve or firing pin.

Using a Nitrogen Generator, the N2 gas for the tool can be recycled and used over and over. This is a safe, clean, efficient alternative to the gas powered compressor. It is also cost-efficient, requiring a one-time purchase with no cylinders to refill. A Nitrogen Generator produces high purity N2 gas on-demand and on-site."

Nitrogen Gas Generators - South-Tek Systems Blog: Nitrogen Use with Pneumatic Tools

 

[MikeInNH]

I'd always been told nitrogen is used primarily because nitrogen molecules are larger than air molecules, and thus loose less air pressure through permeation over time.

Air is 78% Nitrogen. The rest is Oxygen, small traces of other elements. Yes Nitrogen will leak slower..but it's never been much of an issue. Race cars can probably justify it..but not the average consumer - especially since 2005 all vehicles have been mandated to have tire pressure monitors.

I don't care if anyone believes what I posted or not and I have nothing at stake in what appears to now be a debate. FYI, I don't care and simply shared what I learned reading a trade magazine for tire selling businesses.

It's not a matter of belief....it's a matter of proof. I'm trying to understand WHY tire companies would switch to Nitrogen. So far I've yet to see any PROOF it's cheaper. I still believe it's a gimmick, or just another way to milk money out of the consumer.

 

[toyo]

Proof? What proof are you looking for? Pure nitrogen has been used to inflate critical tire applications for years, primarily because it doesn't support moisture or combustion. These include racing tires (IndyCar, Formula 1, NASCAR), aircraft tires (commercial and military) and heavy-duty equipment tires (earthmovers and mining equipment). The challenge facing nitrogen inflation hasn't been its application, it's been its method of supply and cost.

Very few shops around here even charge you for N2 anymore. A big tire chain around here started offering it for free. Now it's pretty commonplace for it to be at no charge. Now, do they hide it other fees? Lord only knows as I am sure do.

 

[CXS]

So far I've yet to see any PROOF it's cheaper. I still believe it's a gimmick, or just another way to milk money out of the consumer.

I agree it's a gimmick when it comes to passenger vehicles. The "cheaper" relates to the retailer. See my links in other posts regarding why it is for them - pretty much maintenance free for up to 20 years. Yes, it's a sales pitch so take that with a grain of salt or two on the website.

As far as decreased loss of air from what I've read, in the time a tire on air loses 3 lbs of pressure, one with nitrogen loses 2 lbs. Big deal.

 

[M1911]

Proof? What proof are you looking for? Pure nitrogen has been used to inflate critical tire applications for years, primarily because it doesn't support moisture or combustion. These include racing tires (IndyCar, Formula 1, NASCAR), aircraft tires (commercial and military) and heavy-duty equipment tires (earthmovers and mining equipment). The challenge facing nitrogen inflation hasn't been its application, it's been its method of supply and cost.

My 4Runner isn't a critical tire application. It isn't a racing car. Or a plane. Or piece of heavy duty equipment. For 11 years and 145k miles, regular old air has worked just fine.

 

[toyo]

My 4Runner isn't a critical tire application. It isn't a racing car. Or a plane. Or piece of heavy duty equipment. For 11 years and 145k miles, regular old air has worked just fine.

We were not discussing N2 just for 4Runners. Open your eyes, ears and take it all in my brother! :beer:

 

[MikeInNH]

We were not discussing N2 just for 4Runners. Open your eyes, ears and take it all in my brother!

I sure as heck was..and several others were. I don't know what you were reading.

I even made the comment that it's probably necessary for Race cars...but NOT for the average daily commuter.

The "cheaper" relates to the retailer. See my links in other posts regarding why it is for them

I did read the posts..and it doesn't explain how it's cheaper. They have to be getting their nitrogen from somewhere. It's not GIVEN to them. And someone else pointed out..that they are NOT getting rid of their air compressors because they still NEED them for their air tools and in many cases lifts. So the Nitrogen is an ADDED cost...not a REPLACEMENT cost.

 

[toyo]

eace:eace:

 

[CXS]

I did read the posts..and it doesn't explain how it's cheaper. They have to be getting their nitrogen from somewhere. It's not GIVEN to them. And someone else pointed out..that they are NOT getting rid of their air compressors because they still NEED them for their air tools and in many cases lifts. So the Nitrogen is an ADDED cost...not a REPLACEMENT cost.

That's pretty much like saying an air compressor needs to get air from somewhere to compress it. Same concept, it takes in air and generates nitrogen. I also provided a link showing how these power pneumatic tools.

The details can be read if you're interested, if you just want to argue without reading I'm not interested.

 

[MikeInNH]

Yes CTX - IF you're building a business from scratch...then this system might be cheaper.

But what's NOT explained..is when you start using Nitrogen to fill tires...thus taking Nitrogen out of closed/sealed system. It then has to be replenished. How is that accomplished?

 

[Ask10]

As I said, it's cheaper for the shop because they no longer need compressors to fill tires.

I didn't read to the end, but having run a shop before, filling tires is the smallest need of my compressor. I had a twin cylinder 18 hp Hobart that was running full tilt half of the day because of all the air tools (lifts, ratchets, impacts, air guns, etc.) so there's no way I'd substitute a nitrogen tank for all of that, I'd have been broke in a week.

 

[toyo]

That's pretty much like saying an air compressor needs to get air from somewhere to compress it. Same concept, it takes in air and generates nitrogen. I also provided a link showing how these power pneumatic tools.

The details can be read if you're interested, if you just want to argue without reading I'm not interested.

I concur. The last thing I have time for is too argue with fellow members on here.

 

[Sungod]

Another bit if interest in the pointlessness of paying for nitrogen is the fact that they don't remove the air before filling. The only way to truly see the benefit would be to draw a vacuum to remove all air then fill with nitrogen. What a lot of shops do is set the bead with compressed air then fill the rest with Nitrogen. Then put the green caps on. Kind of a scam, but people don't know the difference.

 

[Tooltime19]

I have had many discussions and arguments regarding air pressures in vehicles. It cracks me up the amount of people with modified vehicles yet have so little knowledge about the benefits and dangers of proper inflation. I could write a huge dissertation on the subject of air pressures, when to air up and when to air down.....
1-Bottom line-If you arent sure, stick to the door placard until someone with smarts can help square you away.
2-Road trips-always air up, for your safety and better handling
3-Off road-ALWAYS AIR DOWN, for your safety, and for better grip/letting the tire do its job, less wear and tear on chassis parts, and for the ladies, a smoother ride.
4-I have a different air pressure for around town driving and highway/road trip driving.