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Author	Topic: Tire inflation- the truth behind nitrogen	Post a Reply Back to Topics

PD Moderator	Message Posted: Jan 21, 2011 10:44:03 AM Ignore PD Report Abuse Have you bought new tires lately? Have you seen a poster or been asked if you'd like to fill your tires with nitrogen instead of compressed air? Some service shops charge $40 or more to fill your tires with nitrogen- so let's find out if it's worth it, with some help from a Consumer Reports study. I've been asked dozens of times in my current position and from my previous experience in the auto industry- is it worth it to pay to use nitrogen inflation? The short answer- and my opinion- is no. While nitrogen inflation has benefits over compressed air, it would not be worth additional cost. You see- nitrogen inflation is more of a marketing gimmick- nitrogen inflation inflates your tires with 95% or so nitrogen. Compressed... Visit GasBuddy Blog for full article

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Message Posted: Jan 21, 2011 10:44:03 AM

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Have you bought new tires lately? Have you seen a poster or been asked if you'd like to fill your tires with nitrogen instead of compressed air? Some service shops charge $40 or more to fill your tires with nitrogen- so let's find out if it's worth it, with some help from a Consumer Reports study.

I've been asked dozens of times in my current position and from my previous experience in the auto industry- is it worth it to pay to use nitrogen inflation? The short answer- and my opinion- is no. While nitrogen inflation has benefits over compressed air, it would not be worth additional cost.

You see- nitrogen inflation is more of a marketing gimmick- nitrogen inflation inflates your tires with 95% or so nitrogen. Compressed...

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TekWare Champion Author Toronto Posts:3,181 Points:676,900 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Oct 9, 2011 11:35:21 PM Ignore TekWare Report Abuse I believe that it works... if you are an F1 driver in an F1 car. For the rest of us air works just fine. Although seeing air pumps now at gas stations that cost $2. Maybe they should be giving me nitrogen at those prices.
padrejohn1971 Rookie Author Los Angeles Posts:75 Points:17,930 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Sep 25, 2011 2:38:06 PM Ignore padrejohn1971 Report Abuse Does anyone know if tire places will fill up the tires with Nitrogen for free after a purchase of their tires?
padrejohn1971 Rookie Author Los Angeles Posts:75 Points:17,930 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Sep 25, 2011 2:35:09 PM Ignore padrejohn1971 Report Abuse Heard about Nitrogen. Stays longer in the tire. I wouldn't pay $40! Just check your pressure weekly. Should do fine.
gasmandan2011 Rookie Author Maine Posts:11 Points:163,070 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Sep 21, 2011 6:28:35 PM Ignore gasmandan2011 Report Abuse best stuff since Sliced bread if it's almost free .. then it's all good , I can buy Liquid Nitrogen for about 15.00 to fill my lab Dewar as it warms it expands it causes pressure, fill your designated pressure tank then fill your tires, I can because I have to buy it anyway. This make me smile Quote "Just a marketing ploy with no real value.Pick any non- rubber reactive gas like er....Oxygen...." Oxygen is indeed an Oxidizer, you know what that means when it leaks out through all those little tiny holes, just because Oxygen can..leaky holes get leaker. could take a few years less though (;>))
OHMS Champion Author Orange County Posts:13,738 Points:1,695,780 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Sep 21, 2011 1:42:03 PM Ignore OHMS Report Abuse Try Argon; Neon; Helium would leak out.
ocut Sophomore Author Alabama Posts:143 Points:39,655 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Sep 20, 2011 10:25:57 PM Ignore ocut Report Abuse i just use reg. air
w9med Champion Author Gary Posts:1,128 Points:328,445 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Sep 20, 2011 2:25:26 PM Ignore w9med Report Abuse Gimmicky. Can buy alot of air for $40
jlakedodge Veteran Author Lansing Posts:401 Points:84,180 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Sep 20, 2011 12:54:58 PM Ignore jlakedodge Report Abuse Maybe they could just put fresh air in your tires or rotate your floor mats
dacofa Champion Author Nevada Posts:5,375 Points:1,152,460 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Sep 16, 2011 10:52:50 AM Ignore dacofa Report Abuse Sales flim flam.
gasokie Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:3,452 Points:1,328,930 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Sep 16, 2011 10:50:08 AM Ignore gasokie Report Abuse Nitrogen is not worth the extra cost I don't think but some cars now come "aired up" with it anyway. It does reduce the tiny leaks that can lead to low tire inflation -- for those don't ever check their tires. Some people don't unless they have a flat or something. The larger nitrogen molecule reduces air seepage. It also gives the driver something to brag about..."I don't use common air, I use nitrogen in my tires" ...
Donatelo Champion Author Dayton Posts:1,134 Points:296,245 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Sep 13, 2011 5:01:59 PM Ignore Donatelo Report Abuse gimmick
Gas4Gore Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,441 Points:427,875 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Sep 12, 2011 10:36:08 PM Ignore Gas4Gore Report Abuse Got nitrogen but did not pay for it.
chemist74 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:13,510 Points:2,395,980 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Sep 11, 2011 1:34:04 PM Ignore chemist74 Report Abuse for the normal driver, the only real potential advantage for using nitrogen is that it is usually much drier than compressed air. If the tire is filled with air (78% nitrogen) and oxygen leaks out faster, the gas left in the tire contains more than 78% nitrogen. If one adds air as needed to maintain pressure, esch time you top off the pressure with air you end up with a highe percentage of nitrogen in the tire so the rate of pressure loss will continue to decrease.
yodudebc Champion Author Vancouver Posts:5,622 Points:547,825 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Sep 10, 2011 5:24:16 PM Ignore yodudebc Report Abuse The first time a tire dealer offered to fill my tires with premium air, I laughed so hard he walked away, mumbling to himself.
dacofa Champion Author Nevada Posts:5,375 Points:1,152,460 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Sep 9, 2011 9:46:55 AM Ignore dacofa Report Abuse Sales gimmick. Racers use it because the tire pressure stays more constant for the short time they run the tires.
Beaveronparade Champion Author Hartford Posts:2,111 Points:638,470 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2011 6:11:30 PM Ignore Beaveronparade Report Abuse I had never heard of this option but I'm glad I read the article! Now I will be prepared with my answer,"No", when given the option!
Mikeyl Champion Author Cleveland Posts:5,182 Points:1,189,020 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2011 10:14:35 AM Ignore Mikeyl Report Abuse As with any product we buy and use, regular maintenance is necessary to keep it working in tip top shape. Why is it that we think we can drive for 3-4 months without checking our tires? I check the onboard PSI system every time I fill up with gas. If it is more than 1 PSI under, I make sure I get it filled up quickly. It has been noted that for each 1 PSI that a tire is low it can reduce your MPG by 1-3%. Nitrogen IS NOT worth $40. Don't bother.
xtremecheap All-Star Author Arkansas Posts:986 Points:373,100 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2011 3:58:01 PM Ignore xtremecheap Report Abuse Yes the air we breath is 78% nitrogen, but most of the time, compressed air is not. Most air compressors insert a lot of contaminants into the tire. There is usually added moisture, oil, dirt, and whatever fumes are in the tire shop when the compressor is running. The plus side of going with nitrogen is it should be filtered. Now with that being said, if it is costing more than a couple of bucks per tire for the service, then I think its a ripoff. [Edited by: xtremecheap at 9/6/2011 5:02:11 PM EST]
fervid Rookie Author St. Louis Posts:51 Points:413,885 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Sep 6, 2011 3:12:12 PM Ignore fervid Report Abuse I've had it in all my tires mostly because of how sensitive the Tire Pressure Sensors are to weather these days. Once I have Nitrogen my tires keep a constant pressure year round and no pressure alarms going off when the temp drops overnight. The problem I have though is they charge $40 for the initial fill and usually that also includes life time fills. But, when you go back they fill with normal air. Nissan in St Peters, MO is bad about this. Their Nitrogen pump is only on the side of the building or a thing they push around, yet every oil change they filled the tires with regular air. The first year I had no issues, then once it started needing topped off they filled it for a year with normal. Then I was getting pressure warnings all the time again. I got ticked and made them take it all out and redo it. It was fine again for another year. Without Nitrogen I'm also topping off every couple weeks in brand new tires/cars. I still monitor, but at least I don't have to get slapped by the stupid retractable hose at QT.
bndtech Rookie Author Santa Barbara Posts:3 Points:1,460 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Sep 3, 2011 10:20:53 AM Ignore bndtech Report Abuse I use CO2 in my tires or Nitrogen when available; I have noticed that my tires have been lasting longer; at present I have a truck with 33" tires, that have more than 44,591 miles on them and I still have tread left. I have put on 230,540 miles on my 2002 truck and still get good gas mileage by keeping my tires filled before any long road trips. My GPA gets worse when the tires are below 32 PSI. Straight from Auto Mechanics: Air is 78 percent nitrogen, just under 21 percent oxygen, and the rest is water vapor, CO2 and small concentrations of noble gases such as neon and argon. We can ignore the other gases. There are several compelling reasons to use pure nitrogen in tires. First is that nitrogen is less likely to migrate through tire rubber than is oxygen, which means that your tire pressures will remain more stable over the long term. Racers figured out pretty quickly that tires filled with nitrogen rather than air also exhibit less pressure change with temperature swings. That means more consistent inflation pressures during a race as the tires heat up. And when you're tweaking a race car's handling with half-psi changes, that's important. Passenger cars can also benefit from the more stable pressures. But there's more: Humidity (water) is a Bad Thing to have inside a tire. Water, present as a vapor or even as a liquid in a tire, causes more of a pressure change with temperature swings than dry air does. It also promotes corrosion of the steel or aluminum rim. If I ever need to top off a tire when I'm out on the road, I'll always briefly depress the tire chuck's valve with my thumbnail and vent some air. If my thumb gets wet, there's water in the line. Some gas stations don't do a very good job of keeping the humidity out of their air system. I don't even like to use a water-based tire-mounting lubricant unless I can let the tire bake in the sun for a couple of hours before I air it up and seat the bead. I've dismounted tires (not mine) that had several quarts of water inside—probably from a compressed-air hose that collected water and was never purged properly. How is water relevant to a nitrogen discussion? Any system that delivers pure nitrogen is also going to deliver dry nitrogen. Filling tires with nitrogen involves filling and purging several times in succession, serially diluting the concentration of oxygen in the tire. This will also remove any water. It's certainly simple, although time-consuming, for a tire technician to fill and bleed tires. But most shops use a machine that not only generates almost pure nitrogen by straining the oxygen out of shop-compressed air, but will also automatically go through several purge cycles unattended. Some shops have been charging as much as $30 per tire for this service. I think that's too much. If you're buying a new tire, it should be far less. Still, the nitrogen generator, filling system and technician's time aren't free—the dealer is entitled to some return for that. So, to answer your specific questions: With nitrogen, your tire pressures will remain more constant, saving you a small amount in fuel and tire-maintenance costs. There will be less moisture inside your tires, meaning less corrosion on your wheels. You will not be able to feel any difference in the ride or handling or braking, unless your tire pressures were seriously out of spec and changing to nitrogen brought them back to the proper numbers Read more: Nitrogen vs Air In Tires - Why Nitrogen in Tires - Popular Mechanics
Eric2448 Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:1,131 Points:230,900 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2011 10:44:25 PM Ignore Eric2448 Report Abuse k
BT1288 Champion Author Lincoln Posts:22,126 Points:1,427,385 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Sep 2, 2011 11:14:50 AM Ignore BT1288 Report Abuse Air already consists of 78% nitrogen.
Poss_D Sophomore Author Louisiana Posts:236 Points:101,540 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Aug 22, 2011 10:05:06 PM Ignore Poss_D Report Abuse Auto shops = ripping people off.
JENNYHK Champion Author Chicago Posts:3,661 Points:717,445 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Aug 22, 2011 4:55:54 PM Ignore JENNYHK Report Abuse too costly for me to consider.
Eric2448 Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:1,131 Points:230,900 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Aug 22, 2011 9:06:05 AM Ignore Eric2448 Report Abuse yah
teafortwo Champion Author Washington Posts:22,152 Points:1,389,840 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Aug 21, 2011 8:37:36 PM Ignore teafortwo Report Abuse "You can't handle the truth" Let me know when it is free ;0]
MrBSU87 Champion Author Fort Wayne Posts:5,894 Points:629,700 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Aug 21, 2011 4:01:36 PM Ignore MrBSU87 Report Abuse Gimmick!
livable1 Champion Author New York Posts:2,323 Points:283,265 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Aug 20, 2011 10:52:13 PM Ignore livable1 Report Abuse Hummm
luwachris Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:1,082 Points:224,370 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Aug 15, 2011 4:28:31 PM Ignore luwachris Report Abuse Not only does it need to be free as air inflation is, it also needs to be readily available for me to even consider it and even at the consideration point I would have to do extensive research on the product myself because that's just how I am, you can't just sell me anything.
nate31379 Champion Author College Station Posts:333,888 Points:326,145 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Aug 15, 2011 4:21:50 PM Ignore nate31379 Report Abuse Air is about a buck
teafortwo Champion Author Washington Posts:22,152 Points:1,389,840 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Jul 14, 2011 4:11:54 PM Ignore teafortwo Report Abuse Call me when it is free.
bigoneON Rookie Author London Posts:5 Points:1,550 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Jul 14, 2011 11:15:03 AM Ignore bigoneON Report Abuse waste of money if you ask me
hatfig2 Rookie Author Arkansas Posts:7 Points:640 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Jul 14, 2011 6:57:40 AM Ignore hatfig2 Report Abuse It all sounds well and good but really needs to be thought about before it is used. I also know it is hard to find some places if your tires are low.
CIWS Champion Author London Posts:2,430 Points:585,560 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jul 13, 2011 8:31:30 PM Ignore CIWS Report Abuse Snake oil salesmen,gimmick.
GASMANMS Champion Author Mississippi Posts:3,428 Points:707,880 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jul 11, 2011 8:20:07 PM Ignore GASMANMS Report Abuse Waste of money.
JeffreyZan Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:3,131 Points:719,570 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jul 11, 2011 4:38:32 PM Ignore JeffreyZan Report Abuse if its free and available use it
Throroughbred Champion Author Cleveland Posts:1,031 Points:1,210,770 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Jul 9, 2011 7:01:16 AM Ignore Throroughbred Report Abuse If its free ok. Otherwise its a waste of money and gives No advantages.
WestDriver All-Star Author Grand Rapids Posts:679 Points:551,145 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2011 5:12:52 AM Ignore WestDriver Report Abuse If Nitrogen were free or extremely inexpensive, I'd use it. But with the cost and the fact that I don't need the tiny bit of advantage that it gives in daily driving, it's not worth it to me. The cost benefit ratio for nonperformance driving isn't worth it.
JoeMegaGas Rookie Author Michigan Posts:71 Points:19,420 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jun 27, 2011 7:22:22 AM Ignore JoeMegaGas Report Abuse It's free from Belle Tire so I get it when I buy new tires.
Cathym11 Rookie Author Mississippi Posts:2 Points:2,510 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2011 8:18:10 PM Ignore Cathym11 Report Abuse Did it once but probably won't bother again.
teafortwo Champion Author Washington Posts:22,152 Points:1,389,840 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2011 1:34:27 PM Ignore teafortwo Report Abuse Give me a call when it is free.
huntaw Rookie Author Little Rock Posts:1 Points:22,245 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jun 25, 2011 11:18:33 AM Ignore huntaw Report Abuse The reality is many large fleets already use nitrogen. Aircraft tires are also filled with nitrogen. There is a benefit to using it. If you can swing getting your tires filled with it for free...go for it. (I've seen oil change places advertising the service for free with oil change service.) The benefits are much like those gained from making delivery trucks only make right turns on their routes so they never have to sit idling at stop lights. On a large scale, there is a significant savings. However, on an individual level, you probably aren't going to see $40 of savings to offset the $40 cited in the article you pay to get a set of tires filled. I beleive new Fords come with Nitrogen filled tires. There may be other manufacturers that do as well. Oh yeah...I hope you were kidding about Oxygen...Oxygen is one of the most corrosive gases around.
sabob Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:12,537 Points:1,132,270 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Jun 23, 2011 6:24:22 PM Ignore sabob Report Abuse Where did truth in marketing go????
GASMANMS Champion Author Mississippi Posts:3,428 Points:707,880 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jun 23, 2011 6:14:32 PM Ignore GASMANMS Report Abuse A racecar driver may be able to tell the difference in air and nitrogen at 200 MPH but most drivers will never know the difference. It's Snakeoil. [Edited by: GASMANMS at 6/23/2011 7:18:45 PM EST]
Donatelo Champion Author Dayton Posts:1,134 Points:296,245 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jun 23, 2011 4:15:02 PM Ignore Donatelo Report Abuse gimmick
CIWS Champion Author London Posts:2,430 Points:585,560 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jun 22, 2011 8:46:07 PM Ignore CIWS Report Abuse Just a marketing ploy with no real value.Pick any non- rubber reactive gas like er....Oxygen....
driven2save All-Star Author Georgia Posts:566 Points:105,630 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jun 20, 2011 6:40:29 AM Ignore driven2save Report Abuse When all the fleets go to using nitrogen, then I'll conclude that nitrogen inflated tires provide a cost benefit.
johnbwolf All-Star Author Michigan Posts:690 Points:163,510 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jun 13, 2011 5:00:23 PM Ignore johnbwolf Report Abuse Just another Scam, there is No diff in millege or handling.
lostinnc Sophomore Author North Carolina Posts:102 Points:13,350 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jun 13, 2011 8:50:46 AM Ignore lostinnc Report Abuse My car came with nitrogen in the tires but when the low tire pressure light came on, I was nowhere near any place that could re-fill with nitrogen. I put regular air. I have seen nor flet any difference in the mileage not the handling.
DocWyeth Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:15,246 Points:1,761,190 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jun 13, 2011 1:43:08 AM Ignore DocWyeth Report Abuse I got it for free and found it no better. One pothole and you lost a few pounds.