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Nitrogen inflated tires saves gas?

Sarge E5 USMC

Sarge E5 USMC

Full Member
Joined
Oct 4, 2006
Messages
625
whazz the advantage .................and where does one get nitrogen to fill tires with?
 
there are a few threads on this with tons of info...

I think in this section and one might be in Problem/Question exterior as well...

IMO...waste of $$$
 
ygmn said:
there are a few threads on this with tons of info...

I think in this section and one might be in Problem/Question exterior as well...

IMO...waste of $$$
Click to expand...
agreed
 
Nitrogen does have advantages in certain applications such as racing...

But for your every day driver...I side with others in the negative...not worth the money or the effort
 
I was skeptical about the nitrogen thing too but when you buy tires at Costco they fill them with the stuff automatically.? And you can stop by any Costco where your tires were installed and they will top them off with nitrogen for free.? Plus I have yet to find anyone who can beat tire prices at Costco.? Unfortunately they no longer have a contract with Bridgestone.

But back to the topic at hand.? From what I read the main advantage to nitrogen over straight air is that the nitrogen molecules are larger.? And since all tires breathe (leak) some through the sidewalls, nitrogen filled tires retain proper air pressure for several months at a time as opposed to straight air fills which should be topped off much more frequently. Hence, for the driver who doesn't maintain proper air pressure on a regular basis, pressure remains higher and theoretically this will provide better fuel economy.

Now, I ain't no scientist but this kind of makes sense (from the common folk's view).? If I'm wrong somebody set me straight.? In the meantime I'll keep going by Costco every 2 or 3 months and have my nitrogen checked.? At least until my Bridgestones wear out and I have to buy tires elsewhere.

Rich
 
ROPD said:
I was skeptical about the nitrogen thing too but when you buy tires at Costco they fill them with the stuff automatically.? And you can stop by any Costco where your tires were installed and they will top them off with nitrogen for free.? Plus I have yet to find anyone who can beat tire prices at Costco.? Unfortunately they no longer have a contract with Bridgestone.

But back to the topic at hand.? From what I read the main advantage to nitrogen over straight air is that the nitrogen molecules are larger.? And since all tires breathe (leak) some through the sidewalls, nitrogen filled tires retain proper air pressure for several months at a time as opposed to straight air fills which should be topped off much more frequently. Hence, for the driver who doesn't maintain proper air pressure on a regular basis, pressure remains higher and theoretically this will provide better fuel economy.

Now, I ain't no scientist but this kind of makes sense (from the common folk's view).? If I'm wrong somebody set me straight.? In the meantime I'll keep going by Costco every 2 or 3 months and have my nitrogen checked.? At least until my Bridgestones wear out and I have to buy tires elsewhere.

Rich
Click to expand...

This is the way that I understand it. I have also heard that you do not get any moisture inside of the tire with nitrogen and the tires may last a little longer.......I am not rushing out to buy nitrogen but a few local dealers are offering it free when you buy tires.

Butch
 
You should check tire pressure at every fill up or at least once a month.

does not mater what you fill them with this is important as environmental temperature changes and leaks will reduce pressure...

costs a bunch to fill them up with nitrogen... period... and this cost cannot be offset by any savings for MPG...

If COSTCO fills for free fine... but what to do when you are in the middle of nowhere..??

People buy new tires when the current tread is gone or a Nail in the side wall...
which has nothing to do with what compressed gas is used on the inside...

 
ygmm

I check my air pressure regularly.? Tires are expensive.? I have found that they do seem to retain "air" longer than usual.? When they're low I drop by Costco for a free booster adding a little extra so I can readjust when the tires cool off.? As far as being in the "middle of nowhere", I've never been that far out for that long of a period where I needed to bring my pressure up to snuff.

If I had to pay for the stuff, I totally agree with you.? It just isn't cost effective and the price would far outweigh the benefits.? Although I have no idea who sells nitrogen air fills much less how much they charge.

My whole input for this thread is that, from what I've read, nitrogen does provide a slight advantage over straight air.? If I have been mis-led, someone please tell me.? But if not and nitrogen is FREE and readily available, go for it.? No harm no foul.

Rich
 
I hear if you rub the first season of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy on your tires, it's even better than Nitrogen.
 
It's very popular with the off road community.  The tanks are small, can power air tools, and can fill a tire faster than any compressor.
 
I dont see how 22% more nitrogen can make that much diifference since the air is already 78% nitrogen, but, who am I?
 
The main reason racers use Nitrogen is because it expands faster under high heat, like racing. NASCAR tires usually start at around 12psi but by the time they get 5 -6 laps on those tires they are pushing over 60psi or higher. Regular air will not do this as predictable. Nitrogen can be predicted so easily that is why racers use it. When I was in Autocross I did a test. I used regular oxygen on my Perrelli P7Fs on my 87 CRX Si. I started the pressures at 25 PSI like normal, After a 5 lap run I checked the tires and i was at 35psi. So I pull the Z over to have the BFG Comp TA tires inflated to 25 PSI Nitrogen. After 5 laps I was running 55psi, way to bouncy for that style of racing. The nitrogen tires did come to life a lot faster then the oxygen. Some of the other racers suggested started off at between 15 and 18 psi. The car is a little loose at the start but after the 1st lap they are awesome. I stayed with oxygen because the nitrogen just was not my cup of tea. I knew that the pressure i ran at the beginning of a run was not going to change to much by the end of the run.

Just my .02
 
Not to argue with anyone but from what i have heard from tire manufactures who deal with racing tires is that, When regular air is used in a tire the temperature can bounce around by several degrees. With using nitrogen it has a much more stable temperature and will not bounce around in degrees as much. It has nothing to do with gas mileage or leaking or anything else just temperature. Now granted this is from racing motorcycles and dealing with guys who race on the Jordan's racing team.
 
Hi Guys, Im no expert in the area but I finance alot of equipment to tire repair shops & dealerships.  I work with a very large tire vendor- Mohawk Rubber.  They told me by 2007 the state of NY will be only putting in nitrogen in brand new cars 2008+.  I am now financing a special air compressor for nitrogen to dealerships in the State of NY.  They say it provides a better ride, longer wear on tires and less future accidents dealing with tires. Time will tale but I see this happening by next year.  Good luck.  Lawanna
 
I agree with the comments about nitrogen used in racing applications. Personally, I don't drive 45 miles ( 30 laps ) and check my air pressure. I don't underinflate my tires and drive 9 miles ( 6 laps ) to bring them up to optimal tire pressure. I fill my tires with the same air I breathe. The same compressed air I use to breathe with a SCBA. Most people don't regularly check their tires. Nitrogen might buy them more time to neglect their air pressure. In the end, it won't matter at all. Properly maintained air pressures will save gas whether it's nitrogen or what we breathe for free. I'd use nitrogen if it was free and readily available.
 
The new "nitrogen" pumps are starting to pop up all over and some are free to use, I'm not sure how they work but since the atmosphere is 78% nitrogen I'm pretty sure all they do is remove the 21% oxygen. It's pretty basic science, what it really does is remove water vapor. (correct me if I'm wrong) Water bonds with oxygen easily so why not get rid of the oxygen ?

If you maintain proper tire pressure it doesn't matter if you use helium, argon, nitrogen, air,.... you might not want to use hydrogen, pure oxygen or other extremely combustible gases.  :eek:
 
Seems like a money making Marketing thing more then a safety issues...

Hence all new cars are supposed to have Tire Pressure Monitors to tell drivers the tires are low on air pressure....

Air has been good a long long time.... no reason to change...

Heck Helium so ya AVY is lighter hehehe
 
ygmn said:
Heck Helium so ya AVY is lighter hehehe
Click to expand...

figures you'd catch that Helium reference

If you've ever MIG or TIG welded the IG stands for inert gas and argon is usually used to shield the welding process from oxygen. Oxygen carries impurities, bonds well with other elements. Kinda funny that we require oxygen to live but it's a corrosive and cumbustible agent. ?

It is just to "make money" selling compressors that eliminate oxygen
 
Just another angle from an ex saturation/mixed gas diver.

Air being aprox 79% Nitrogen and 21% Oxygen... is substituted in certain applications due to adibatic properties meaning if a pressure vessel is pumped up quickly alot of heat is generated giving elevated partial %'s of each gas.

By removing the Oxygen this problem is addressed....not to get away from the subject....Oxygen as some members mentioned does carry more impurities/moisture....also at 21% becomes toxic at depth.
Henceforth a common bottom mix for say 400 foot deep job is 10% Oxygen and no Nitrogen (due to narcotic effect...we wont go there) and 90 % Helium.

Botom line is reduce the Oxygen to acquire a more stable tire PSI form consistant traction in a racing application.
In my superbike racing days I did play around with it but was a hassel to find N2.

Why do you think shocks are N2 charged?

 
For the everyday driver, I'll stick with plain old air, it seems to have done alright for many decades, and I've not to my knowledge ever had tire failure do to air erosion.  Of course I check my tires usually on a weekly basis, and have them rotated at 5000 miles, to each their own.
 
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