[nipsey954]

I work at an auto dealership that has just started filling tires with nitrogen. This service costs around $25 and includes removing "normal" air and replacing it with ~98% nitrogen. The theory is that the tire will ride smoother and maintain its pressure longer.

Please help me with facts, experiences, or your opinions :twocents on this process as I feel like I've just become a SNAKE OIL peddler. ............Mike

 

[EvilTwin-05]

Not sure if it will do the average joe any good but, nitrogen is not affected by temperature in the same way as air. NASCAR teams even use it in their tires.Air expands more as is gets hot. Nitrogen is more stable =cooler and expands slower under heat. Note the atmoshere (air) contains 78% nitrogen.

 

[Start2Fab]

there is evidence that it could provide benefits for large fleets of trucks and the like, but is generally considered cost prohibitive to be used in privately owned vehicles. nitrogen filled tires provide no cost or performance benefit for the average driver so long as proper pressures are maintained with shop air.

for aircraft, which have used it for decades, nitrogen is used because it isn't flammable in the event a retracted landing gear catches fire as a result of a blown tire, hot brake, or ruptured fluid line in the gear well.

 

[rockn6gs]

It also does not attract moisture like compressed air.

 

[EvilTwin-05]

It also does not attract moisture like compressed air.

guess that means i could use Maxxis tires without them rotting.:rockon

 

[youhitthatguy]

isnt nitrogen ligher too??:rockon , id do it , why not , its only 25 bucks

 

[thelastosirus]

I'm an aircraft mechanic, and I've worked on F/A-18's, Airbus A320's, and now helicopters. The main reason aircraft use it is because N2 doesn't expand as much as air. The pressure stays more consistant when temps vary from air tempature all the way to 200 degrees on some aircraft when their brakes overheat. And yes air will cause a bigger fire, and N2 doesn't have moisture which can cause a wheel to rust. You don't want a 2 piece wheel to come apart with 250 psi in it.

So if you race, use N2. You don't...save your money.

 

[Start2Fab]

So if you race, use N2.

:wacky
if you use nitrogen in your tire, be prepared to find your own best cold pressure because it won't be the same as what your suspension or tire guy says is best for you.

 

[sp2pilot]

Atmosphere is 78% nitrogen therefore the difference in actual weight is unmeasurable in volumes and pressures associated with tires.

Race teams use it as it is easier to maintain consistent pressure due to the lack of expansion that Oxygen generates as its temperatures elevate. With 20% O2/80% N2 in a vessel such as a tire the volume will increase by as much as 5 percent per 100 degrees of temperature change. So a 30 psi cold tire will be around 35 at 210 degrees. Pure Nitrogen filled tires will increase at 2% per 100

 

[CBR400RR]

We also use it in our 3000psi paintball gun tanks as it doesn't expand like air you get more consistent shots.

 

[old timer]

Atmosphere is 78% nitrogen therefore the difference in actual weight is unmeasurable in volumes and pressures associated with tires.

Race teams use it as it is easier to maintain consistent pressure due to the lack of expansion that Oxygen generates as its temperatures elevate. With 20% O2/80% N2 in a vessel such as a tire the volume will increase by as much as 5 percent per 100 degrees of temperature change. So a 30 psi cold tire will be around 35 at 210 degrees. Pure Nitrogen filled tires will increase at 2% per 100

WOW...:woot: When I grow up I want to be as smart as you Buffalo Bob...:notworthy

 

[Start2Fab]

WOW... When I grow up I want to be as smart as you Buffalo Bob...

This is a wise response. He is easily offended when you call his googled copy-and-paste posts into question

 

[sp2pilot]

This is a wise response. He is easily offended when you call his googled copy-and-paste posts into question

Care to prove that Phillip.

Care to find this information on any google-generated search that paraphrases my post by even 3 words in a row

You know Phillip it is so sad that any thing I post threatens you so much that you must try to get a rise out of me.

You are truly a moron. Your entire life is nothing more then a spec on the list of missed opportunities of abortion and abstinence.


Good luck with the rest of your un-employed foodstamp supported life.

 

[RB Racing]

Care to prove that Phillip.

Care to find this information on any google-generated search that paraphrases my post by even 3 words in a row

You know Phillip it is so sad that any thing I post threatens you so much that you must try to get a rise out of me.

You are truly a moron. Your entire life is nothing more then a spec on the list of missed opportunities of abortion and abstinence.


Good luck with the rest of your un-employed foodstamp supported life.

Nice to see he's in a good mood though.LOL.

 

[RC51ManSam]

Finally I got a good laugh. I was feeling deprived because SP2 wasn't commenting as much anymore.

 

[jersey_devil_68]

You are truly a moron. Your entire life is nothing more then a spec on the list of missed opportunities of abortion and abstinence.


Good luck with the rest of your un-employed foodstamp supported life.

:woot: :woot:

 

[zensunnah]

The reason nitrogen is used has to do with Press and Temp and the physical properties of N. Air has water vapor and a mixture of other gaes all expanding and contracting under atmospheric press and temp. Oxygen burns in low heat, vry volatile, very electronegative and radically attacks other compounds, including rubber. Nitrogen does not 'readily combust' under STP. It also does not readily bond in a 'dry' enviroment. Nitrogen resists bonding gorces of other compounds. In short, it maintains pressure and and temp. However, its weigth is not neglible b/c it weighs almost the same as Carbon & Oxygen per mole. But as a gas, it is considerably less dense and will therefore 'weigh' less.


Hope this short answer satisfies you. And yes I am study Chem. Engineering.

 

[oljackboy]

The answer to the original question is yes, this is snake oil. But this is probably a lot better snake oil than a lot of other snake oil like "Paint sealant" or "Rustproofing" or "Fuel line magnets" or my favorite the "Turbo-twist" or whatever it is they call those contraptions that you stick in the intake tract that supposedly spin the air and cure the common cold and generate 40% more hp while saving the snail darters and preserving matress tags for our posterity. Why don't you suggest that your dealership offer an "air flush" so your customers can get the benefit of having truly fresh air in their tires? "Winter air" versus "Summer air"? Air today gone tomorrow, I say.

 

[Start2Fab]

I have a huge stick up my ass... I wish someone would come shove it in further

All this knowledge, and creative insults, from a man who thinks a hacksaw is the only way to cut metal :wacky

Robert... since we're useing first names here (I'm glad to hear you're asking about me ) calm down a little or you'll have a heart attack you old fart

 

[nipsey954]

As always I appreciate all your responses to my question, but I feel Oljackboy hit the nail on the head. :clapper Dammit! I peddle snake oil :banghead

I questioned my own superiors about this practice and was informed that this service would benefit customers who do not routinely maintain their vehicles. To me these same people would not spend the $25 and could care less about underinflated tires.

The opinion of this board seems to be it's not really beneficial to passenger vehicles. I value this stance as it comes from people (motorcyclists) who I am sure are more strict with proper maintenance and the improved performance associated with it..............Thanks......Mike