Nitrogen Vs Plain Old Air

[JayhawkRoy]

Bottom line from a Consumer Reports test, circa 2006-2007:
The test started on September 20, 2006 and the final measurements were taken on September 20, 2007. The results show nitrogen does reduce pressure loss over time, but the reduction is only a 1.3 psi difference from air-filled tires. The average loss of air-filled tires was just 3.5 psi from the initial 30 pressure setting. Nitrogen-filled tires lost an average of 2.2 psi from the initial 30 psi setting. More important, all tires lost air pressure regardless of the inflation medium, so consumers should check their tires' air pressure routinely. No evaluation was done to assess the aging claim.

Bottom line: Overall, consumers can use nitrogen and might enjoy the slight improvement in air retention provided, but it's not a substitute for regular inflation checks.

My use of nitrogen from Costco purchased tires closely resembles these test results. No real advantage noted. Still need to check tire pressure regularly.

 

[Samilcar]

Originally Posted By: bodeh6
Check this out Nitrogen in Tires


From link: "In fact, with a nitrogen purity above 93.4% in passenger tires, oxygen actually begins to migrate back into the tire. You can get all the benefits of nitrogen with a purity level between 93-98%."


So if I fill my tires with 100% nitrogen, the oxygen migrating back into the tire will cause my tire pressure to increase over time? Hmmm...

 

[mechanicx]

I don't see the point of filling with nitrogen because you will always have to go find nitrogen. I don't have nitrogen just an air compressor with a drier. I like to check my tires cold and inflate them with my air. I don't want to be tied to some shop to inflate my tires. The tires will stil need to be inflated just due to temperature changes.

 

[4ever4d]

A bucket of muck as with the TPMS something to add to the final tally at checkout time!!! Gauge your tires every couple weeks and no problems!

 

[CapriRacer]

Originally Posted By: Samilcar
Originally Posted By: bodeh6
Check this out Nitrogen in Tires


From link: "In fact, with a nitrogen purity above 93.4% in passenger tires, oxygen actually begins to migrate back into the tire. You can get all the benefits of nitrogen with a purity level between 93-98%."


So if I fill my tires with 100% nitrogen, the oxygen migrating back into the tire will cause my tire pressure to increase over time? Hmmm...


Not exactly. While the oxygen is migrating INTO the tire, the gases within the tire are migrating out.

Not to mention that most of the loss from within the tire is where the tire and rim touch, so the pressure loss out will be faster than the permeation in.

 

[Steve S]

The nitrogen is dry. How much is the nitrogen% in the atmosphere?

 

[The Critic]

If you use nitrogen, you must continue using it for top-offs or else you will lose the benefits.

I can't speak from the engineering point-of-view, but CR did do a test and it showed that Nitrogen filled tires did lose less air overtime than normal air.

Also, Michelin's tech line told me that Michelin's position is that they support and endorse the usage of nitrogen inflation.

 

[Shannow]

Critic, as per previous posters, equilibrium will allow oxygen to enter a fully inflated tyre anyway, introducing oxygen into the internals anyway.

Only benefit IMO is that N2 is dry, but that's no real biggie in the absence of free water, rather than humid air.

1.3 psi a year in something that you should be checking every couple of weeks ain't much of an advantage.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: Shannow
1.3 psi a year in something that you should be checking every couple of weeks ain't much of an advantage.


True, but you must also consider that not every American maintains their cars like we do. Every little bit helps-- if using Nitrogen will reduce pressure loss in their tires, then so be it.

I'm not saying that everyone should switch to Nitrogen. But Nitrogen does have its benefits, but whether or not their benefit justifies the added expense is something that is obviously up to the individual consumer to decide.

 

[Colt]

Originally Posted By: JayhawkRoy
Bottom line from a Consumer Reports test, circa 2006-2007:
The test started on September 20, 2006 and the final measurements were taken on September 20, 2007. The results show nitrogen does reduce pressure loss over time, but the reduction is only a 1.3 psi difference from air-filled tires. The average loss of air-filled tires was just 3.5 psi from the initial 30 pressure setting. Nitrogen-filled tires lost an average of 2.2 psi from the initial 30 psi setting. More important, all tires lost air pressure regardless of the inflation medium, so consumers should check their tires' air pressure routinely. No evaluation was done to assess the aging claim.

Bottom line: Overall, consumers can use nitrogen and might enjoy the slight improvement in air retention provided, but it's not a substitute for regular inflation checks.

My use of nitrogen from Costco purchased tires closely resembles these test results. No real advantage noted. Still need to check tire pressure regularly.


Was the tire tested on a vehicle in different weather conditions?
Nitrogen's benefit is air pressure holds longer than regular air.

 

[labman]

So how many of you add a lot more air than the CR test suggests? Perhaps CR took more care with mounting and valve stems than is average. Certainly in such a test, you wouldn't want the results skewed by leaks. It seems as the weather cools off, I have to add quite a bit of air. I apparently lose enough in the spring, I seldom have to let any out. Doing some calculations, you should lose about 15% or 6 psi going from 85 F to 15 F.

If you start with a tire with 21% oxygen, air at 15 psi absolute and add nitrogen to bring it to 50 psi absolute, it should be about 6% oxygen. Losing all the oxygen would drop it about 3 psi. A tire filled with air should drop 10 psi if it lost all the oxygen. The question is, do you lose all the oxygen and how much pressure leaks out the bead seal and valve?

I will not be paying a penny for nitrogen.

 

[JT1]

regular air=78%nitrogen 12%oxy 1%misc gases (mostly argon).


It's a scam.

 

[Shannow]

Hope it's got more than 12%...12% will put out fires.

 

[PandaBear]

I wouldn't be surprised if the tire store use the same compressor to pump up a tire after asking you if you want to pay extra for nitrogen. So you are either paying extra for the same ambient air, or get free nitrogen.

Not really making any difference anyways if you check your tire pressure or rotate your tires to begin with.

 

[ZZman]

I am very happy with the Nitrogen inflation in my tires. I have had it in my tires for almost 6 months and the tires are still properly inflated. This even going thru the cold winter months.

I think it has many advantages to the regular driver.

1. If you are not really good at maintenance and don't check tire pressures alot it is good because it holds pressure better.

2. Better ride, performance and tire life because pressures stay more consistent. ( How many of us and the general public let these get way out of whack)

3. Less moisture inside the rim to cause rust and oxidation of rims.

The place I went put hoses on all 4 wheels and purged the air and then aired them up and purged them again and then aired them up to fill them.

 

[ZZman]

Because of my good experience in my Camry I went ahead and got nitrogen put in the Sebring convertible too. Called around and Belle Tire was $ 4.00 a tire. Another place I called was 8.00!

Free refills.

Belle Tire puts nitrogen in when they put on new tires.

 

[SteveSRT8]

good god, is this back up again?

A pure scam.

I have 78% of what you Nitrogen owners paid for and it was straight out of my compressor! A simple drier takes care of the moisture issue, which is the root of fluctuating pressure.

Doesn't anyone ever remember Physics?

I have a fleet here, and some of the trucks tires NEVER need air. That's right, for the life of the tire. Checked every week.

Does that mean I got free Nitrogen? Or that they simply have good valves, stems, and tire liners?

 

[purelux]

That is literally impossible you have a faulty gauge. While your not going to lose like 30 psi without a leak. For example I just had 4 new tires put on. Shop filled to 32psi each. Which translated to 30.5, 28, 29, 29.5 in reality. I checked with 2 different gauges same results both times. There is gradual loss of pressure no matter what the fill. Also since many people don't have a compressor or one able to use a dryer. Paying a few bucks for nitro isn't that out of line price wise.

 

[wayniac]

+1, and if you remember chemistry you will reach an equilibrium eventually.(depending on the pore) Nothing is really 100% impermeable just depends on the size of the molecule/atom. You would have a real hard time with hydrogen or helium tires staying full!