OK Don't Laugh

mosborn9 · 08-01-06, 08:35

Who has heard of inflating tires with nitrogen? This is supposed to maintain tire pressure longer and resist heat build-up on hot summer days. They claim this can increase gas mileage 1 to 1.5 miles per gallon. This has been done in NASCAR for years and is supposed to becoming more common. Cost is typically $2-$5 per tire.

DodgeRacer · 08-01-06, 08:40

It works on a racing tire to prevent pressure buildup because of the high temperatures they get. Waste of money on a passenger car tire. Just check your pressures once a month, set them to the recommended pressure on the sticker on the drivers door and you will be ok. Make sure you check pressures when the tires are cold, not after a drive.

ShineyWhiteRex · 08-01-06, 08:43

DodgeRacer good explination! I'm right on your bandwagon, couldn't have said it better myself....Now mosborn go buy some more MF towels!

gmblack3a · 08-01-06, 08:44

I had a shop do this on my old 01 z06 when I tracked it. the tires where hoosier S03s. I think the shop that did it must of not got enough into the tire. First session I started at 42psi and they went to 50psi.

Total waste of money for street tires.

JohnnyDaJackal · 08-01-06, 08:49

I believe Costco has been doing for quite a few years back now. I really don't know the advantages of nitrogen, nor have I seen them with my parent's cars who both have them filled with it. The only difference I see is the out of place green valve cover

mosborn9 · 08-01-06, 09:04

From what've I heard Costco has been doing this for some time but this is becoming more mainstream (particulary with replacement tires). I to question the value in this.

Diesel1 · 08-02-06, 12:04

I heard somewhere that it actually reduces the chance of condensation thereby lengthening the life of the wheel. Don't know if it holds water or not.

AL-53 · 08-02-06, 12:31

the nitrogen does not condensate in the tire it goes in dry...most air pumps put in a combo of air and moisture...also the nitrogen is suppose to stay at the revalent pressure and not expand or contract...most new cars from the factory are filled with nitrogen....my truck was ....my dealer has a nitrogen generator and I go there to have my tires rotated and refilled..and my pressure stays constant....decreases tire wear also...by staying constant...some cars have a green valve cap or purple..or a green dot on tire when new but they take it off ..indicates nitrogen filled...

Al

Danase · 08-02-06, 12:34

If you drive 700 HP race car at 200+ miles and hour for 2-3 hours you will notice the difference. If you drive a street car daily save your money and stick with regular air.

Setec Astronomy · 08-02-06, 12:46

Guys...the pressure will stay constant with nitrogen? It's PV = RT, and the gas constant for air is lower than for nitrogen, so your pressure will actually change more with temperature. The advantages of nitrogen as an inflation media are two-fold. One, most nitrogen production methods result in an extremely dry gas (as opposed to compressed air, which even if it is "dry", typically has a dewpoint of 30-40 *F), and two, air has oxygen in it, which will..er..oxidize things, sometimes extremely rapidly at elevated temperatures (as in autoignition).

jdhutchin · 08-02-06, 01:15

I'm ahead of the game... I fill my tires with a ~70% nitrogen mix... it's called AIR. I've seen this recently, and it kinda just seems like a gimmick to me. Some person reported 1-1.5mpg savings, but that's not much and I'd have to see a real study to believe numbers that small. People will do anything, even if it doesn't end up saving them money in the long run, to save a little bit of gas.

They mention that airplanes, space shuttle, nascar, use it- at least in aviation, it's primarily so the tires don't catch on fire. The other reasons may help, but as I recall the primary reason is fire prevention.

truzoom · 08-02-06, 02:12

What? I fill my tires with water. You guys are all nuts!