Nitrogen filled tires - any real world experience?

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Originally Posted By: Arbuckle
Gee Whiz -- I had no idea I'd stir up such a lively debate.
The most heated debates tend to be over the most insignificant topics. In the motorcycle world, friendships have been lost over which type of chain lube to use.
 
Originally Posted By: Shannow
Originally Posted By: labman
Originally Posted By: IndyIan
snip
Explain the physics of why it would matter if the tire is driven or not? snip


My guess is that in driving, you occasionally get a slight amount of bead separation from the rim increasing the pressure loss. Thus, more pressure loss no matter what is in the tire.

I think we have the material for a cow chip throwing contest on nitrogen in tires.


One of the reasons that undriven bicycle tyres lose pressure faster has to do with the crosslinking of the rubber forming a "net" to hold the air molecules.

Working the rubber keeps it "fluffed up" (like VI Improver ?), while allowing it to relax increases the size of the holes in the net.

I don't buy the bead seperation theory unless the car is bouncing off curbs alot... I imagine the forces to pull the bead of the tire off the rim would probably bring the rim with it and rip it off the car.
I do find that I'm pumping up my tires more on my mountain bike, I get out only once or twice a week these days compared to almost everyday a few years ago. I'm a bit heavier(probably related) too so I have to watch the pressure more so I don't flatspot the rims...
 
Speaking of nitrogen...
My Lexus dealer has a coupon for nitrogen changeover at the amazing price of $69.95!
 
Originally Posted By: Colt
Speaking of nitrogen...
My Lexus dealer has a coupon for nitrogen changeover at the amazing price of $69.95!


Well yeah but that's going to be jen-ewe-wine dealer installed Toyota branded N2. You can't go putting just any old molecule into a Lexus. They probably even have a kanji periodic table to make sure you get the real stuff.
 
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Hmmmm. I guess I won't mention that I bought a 3,000 psi cylinder tank and a regulator, for my car which came new with a free nitrogen fill in the OEM tires and free top-offs. By the way, this industrial grade tank is 99.97% pure. Medical grade is usually 99.99% pure. Such a controversy. I'm experimenting. Either you believe, or you don't. Is it better than standard air? A qualified yes, for the positive reasons already stated. An unqualified yes, will take some time to determine.

Is it worth the extra cost? Is there a cost to benefit ratio? A break-even point? That's a whole nother issue!

Arguments about standard air already having 78% nitrogen is begging the point, folks. The problem is the approximate 21% oxygen in standard air and the water vapor in the tire--is THE real issue. That little 1 part in 5 or so of oxygen in standard air is what should be at issue. From that amount--that 21% oxygen--we get rust, rubber dry rot, engine oil oxidation and a host of other ills. Standard air, even causes death! Yes. Breathing air, long enough, eventually causes death. Think about that! :+)
 
How are you going to treat the outside of your tyres, when they are exposed to oxygen 100% of the time, and light 50% of the time ?
 
Sorry - would like to resurrect for selfish reasons. My uncle drives an 08 Escalade. He took it for servicing to the dealership where my cousin works as a service advisor. My cousin recommended the nitrogen fill, as he has had great experience with it on his Suburban. When my uncle told me he was considering the nitrogen, I told him it was very controversial, with limited benefits, but wouldn't hurt anything.

Well he decided to try it, and is now a convert. He SWEARS the truck rides significantly better on the nitrogen - he can't even feel expansion joints now. Surely this is just the power of suggestion?

Color me skeptical.
 
without knowing for sure (hey, this is the internet after all) I'd bet my lunch money on this being a case of (wrong tire pressure)>(right tire pressure) adjustment courtesy of the refill
 
You are onto the right color. Probably what he feels is the effect of his tires being at a different pressure than he is use to. I doubt any differences other than that would be perceptable. Like you said, it can't hurt anything...and I would bet his tire pressures won't vary, or need topping off, nearly as much as he might be use to as well. That seems to be the one benefit that is noticed by most people using nitrogen. I know there are benefits other than those two in using nitrogen, but the way many people use, abuse, or neglect their tires and the miles they quickly rack up, few would see much more benefit beyond that.
 
Purchased tires today at Discount Tire, they never mentioned Nitrogen. Reputable outfit, never says word one. I wouldn't have bit anyway.

No offense to your uncle, but the placebo effect is an amazing thing. If he's happy though, that's worth something, I guess. IMO, it's just a money maker (ie. scam) for the places that sell it.
 
In the Waukegan area you can lifetime Nitro for $39. I find my tires run cooler and I don't loose pressure as fast. Have been using Nitro for the past 18 months in my '06 Vette.
 
Originally Posted By: XS650
I use the same blend and highly recommend it.


I'm practically addicted to it!
 
My brother-in-law is super-skeptical about everything. Any idea I can come up with, he can counter it within five seconds. He's very intelligent and has a magnificent grasp of physics.

I was shocked to learn that he's using nitrogen in his WRX.

He says he likes how stable the pressures are, and how he doesn't have to worry about adjusting pressures during seasonal changes.

I told him nitrogen is most useful for airplanes because of that stability, and that regular air used to blow apart fuselages.

No matter what I said, he was sold on nitrogen. Me, I'm not sold because I'm not flying a plane.
 
If the pure Nitrogen ever becomes free (not likely), I'll use it. Until then, I'll just have to settle for the 78% stuff and occasionally check my air pressure.

Or, if you're driving by a Discount Tire, they'll do it for free.
 
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