Topic: Nitrogen. Does it Really Work?

[Adzam]

So I am about to purchase tires for the winter, and I was wondering about the whole nitrogen aspect, some say it works, others don't. Any ideas? Thanks!

[capriracer]

ALL (and I do mean ALL!!!) laboratory studies show that the tire doesn't care what it is inflated with, it reacts the same.

But there are lots of studies that show improvements in fuel economy with the switch to N2.  Since the tire isn't the source of the improvement, it must be coming from somewhere else.  Most of these studies are performed on vehicle fleets - which may mean the improvment is strictly the difference in folks paying attention to the pressure.  (BTW, this seems to be the consensus of the experts in the tire community)

So unless you fly airplanes (where it is required) or race cars (where the pressure buildup is more predictable), you really don't need N2.

[johngenx]

Air is about 80% nitrogen already.

[airbalancer]

try a search in the tire section

[safristi]

Air is about 80% nitrogen already.

   hack hack....damn I'm breathing in olde tyre Air..........................Phhhtttttttt!!!!!

[Ice]

Its supposed to leak slower than being filled with air as the nitrogen molecules are larger.  My car was filled with nitrogen from day 1...just a dealership thing.

[Cortina]

I had  Nitrogen in my tyres for about 2 years. I found no difference. I still top up the same amout of air as I have always done. It still loses about the same amount of Nitrogen as air does.

I've had 3 sets of dustcaps. People loved to steal the green metal dust caps. They don't stay on the car for more than 2 weeks. So now I just have a black plastic dust caps. which nobody steals.

[CyberNick]

When I see green caps I think there goes another clueless who overpaid for nitrogen filled tires... 

Some garages around here were charging outrageous amounts to fill your tires with the stuff... 

I have my winter tires filled with it only because it was a no charge "feature" offered by the place where I bought the tires... I've not found a difference.

[Cortina]

When I see green caps I think there goes another clueless who overpaid for nitrogen filled tires... 

I got mind Nitrogen free too. I also just top with free air from the local gas station. 

The caps from Honda. Only have a green line and there made of some unidentified metal. 

[airbalancer]

When I see green caps I think there goes another clueless who overpaid for nitrogen filled tires... 

Some garages around here were charging outrageous amounts to fill your tires with the stuff... 

I have my winter tires filled with it only because it was a no charge "feature" offered by the place where I bought the tires... I've not found a difference.

So the people at Tire Trends is clueless

http://www.tiretrends.com/nitrogen.php
At TireTrends™ we offer free Nitrogen inflation on any purchase of a Tire & Wheel Package. You have invested a significant amount of money and we want you to experience optimum performance and service life.

Why should you choose Nitrogen over regular air inflation?

Better air pressure retention. The single biggest reason for tire failure is lack of maintenance of tire pressure. In fact, 54 percent of all vehicles on the road have low tire pressure. Oxygen in compressed air can permeate the tire wall reducing tire pressure. With nitrogen, diffusion is 30 to 40 percent slower than oxygen. As a result, nitrogen maintains tire pressure longer than ambient air.

Enhanced fuel economy. Maintaining tire pressure can boost fuel economy by as much as 6 percent. Nitrogen disperses heat more quickly than ambient air. By restraining the heat in the tire and reducing rolling resistance, you get better fuel economy.

Longer tread life. With quicker heat dispersion, you get a cooler running tire which helps extend tread life and reduce tire failure. Nitrogen also prevents oxidation which can not only lead to tread separation and belt failure but, when combined with moisture, corrode rims. In fact, moisture can result in rust flakes that can fall into the valve stem, block the valve and cause under-pressurization. It can even cause the valve stem itself to rust.

Slows chemical aging. Filling a tire with nitrogen also significantly slows the chemical aging process of the tire's rubber components. This leads to fewer catastrophic failures like blowouts. Slower aging lengthens tire core life, which yields extra retreads and lower fleet costs.

What is a Nitrogen Generator? Nitrogen Generators employ advanced membrane technology for flawless performance, day in and day out. Nitrogen Generators are comprised of a bundle of hollow-fiber membranes that separate nitrogen from the air. When the compressed air passes through the fibers, oxygen and other trace gases permeate the membrane, due to their smaller molecular size and higher molecular bond strength. Nitrogen, which doesn't permeate the membrane, flows through the outlet port to the application.

[safristi]

 I presume the extra HEAT disperses thru the carcass....doesn't that effect longevity....i believe a $10 mini PUMP in yer TRUNK and weekly/bi_weekly pressure DROP reggae Regular checks and balances is enuf.....................

[johngenx]

TireTrends has to use N2 fills.  Why?  Because a ton of tire shops have convinced everyone that it's SO much better.  People are expecting it.  Marginal at best for a passenger car, and as pointed out above, just staying on top of your pressures is the real answer.

[initial_D]

I check tyre pressure on the tyres once every two weeks. The big daily temperature difference in the fall and spring varies the pressure a bit.

As for Nitrogen in tyres, could care less. Try to find a place to fill the tyres when it is down 2 psi.

[johngenx]

Get your own compressor!  Love mine...

[initial_D]

Your very own nitrogen tank/pump? 

I meant to say difficult to refill with nitrogen.

[CyberNick]

So the people at Tire Trends is clueless

I said clueless because, IMO it's not worth $5 to $10 per tire which some shops were charging around here.

[Turbo Bob]

When I see green caps I think there goes another clueless who overpaid for nitrogen filled tires... 

Some garages around here were charging outrageous amounts to fill your tires with the stuff... 

I have my winter tires filled with it only because it was a no charge "feature" offered by the place where I bought the tires... I've not found a difference.

So the people at Tire Trends is clueless

http://www.tiretrends.com/nitrogen.php
At TireTrends™ we offer free Nitrogen inflation on any purchase of a Tire & Wheel Package. You have invested a significant amount of money and we want you to experience optimum performance and service life.

Why should you choose Nitrogen over regular air inflation?

Better air pressure retention. The single biggest reason for tire failure is lack of maintenance of tire pressure. In fact, 54 percent of all vehicles on the road have low tire pressure. Oxygen in compressed air can permeate the tire wall reducing tire pressure. With nitrogen, diffusion is 30 to 40 percent slower than oxygen. As a result, nitrogen maintains tire pressure longer than ambient air.

Enhanced fuel economy. Maintaining tire pressure can boost fuel economy by as much as 6 percent. Nitrogen disperses heat more quickly than ambient air. By restraining the heat in the tire and reducing rolling resistance, you get better fuel economy.

Longer tread life. With quicker heat dispersion, you get a cooler running tire which helps extend tread life and reduce tire failure. Nitrogen also prevents oxidation which can not only lead to tread separation and belt failure but, when combined with moisture, corrode rims. In fact, moisture can result in rust flakes that can fall into the valve stem, block the valve and cause under-pressurization. It can even cause the valve stem itself to rust.

Slows chemical aging. Filling a tire with nitrogen also significantly slows the chemical aging process of the tire's rubber components. This leads to fewer catastrophic failures like blowouts. Slower aging lengthens tire core life, which yields extra retreads and lower fleet costs.

What is a Nitrogen Generator? Nitrogen Generators employ advanced membrane technology for flawless performance, day in and day out. Nitrogen Generators are comprised of a bundle of hollow-fiber membranes that separate nitrogen from the air. When the compressed air passes through the fibers, oxygen and other trace gases permeate the membrane, due to their smaller molecular size and higher molecular bond strength. Nitrogen, which doesn't permeate the membrane, flows through the outlet port to the application.

If you don't check your tires often enough to know that a large portion of the 20% of the air in there that isn't nitrogen has leaked out, then you shouldn't be allowed to own a car.  Do the math.

[safristi]

80/20 RULES.......................which portion are EEDJITS??...... No Dear I woz jusshtt in err air blowin UP my tyresshh.....  NO.2 fools are alike............. ..oh laff it orff.........