Is using Nitrogen a bunch of hot air

6spd

I could go scourer the internet for a source, but youll just have to take my word, I am a mechanic after all and have no reason to deceive you. Ive fixed many a wheel speed sensor because of the low tire light. The system isnt nearly as technical as your audi system, but it has been around for a while.

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Jimmy12

For that matter of fact..!! Here are a few other benefits of using Nitrogen in tires:

[1] Nitrogen is denser than Oxygen: This means the larger molecules escape less easily from tires resulting in a more gradual loss of pressure over time. According to the Michelin Tire Manual, a tire that is inflated with Nitrogen loses its pressure 3 times slower than if it were inflated with air.

[2] Nitrogen is moisture free: Pure Nitrogen inflated tires experience less steel belt and rubber degradation. Nitrogen use also reduces valve and wheel corrosion.

[3] Nitrogen provides longer tire life: Nitrogen inflated tire run cooler and require less maintenance according to the Goodyear application bulletin.

[4] Nitrogen is non-flammable: Nitrogen technology has been used in aircraft, military and race car technology for over thirty years.

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ZKindaGuy

OK lets examine each one of these:

1] Nitrogen is denser than Oxygen: This means the larger molecules escape less easily from tires resulting in a more gradual loss of pressure over time. According to the Michelin Tire Manual, a tire that is inflated with Nitrogen loses its pressure 3 times slower than if it were inflated with air.

This one sounds reasonable, plausible and probable. So I will experience a decrease in the number of times I would need to inflate the tires.

Score a +1 for your bullet point.

[2] Nitrogen is moisture free: Pure Nitrogen inflated tires experience less steel belt and rubber degradation. Nitrogen use also reduces valve and wheel corrosion.

Considering there is water on the roads after raining or snowing and the atmosphere that surrounds the outer surface of the tire has moisture in it all the time I don't see where this "advantage" amounts to a hill of beans. The tire will be always exposed to moisture whether there is Nitrogen or AIR in the tires. The same argument holds for wheel and air-valve corrosion. Having Nitrogen in the tire doesn't do anything as the moisture in the atmosphere is what causes the corrosion.

Also regarding the "steel belts" portion of your point, the belts are encased in the rubber and are not exposed to the moisture of the air. So Nitrogen nor the AIR in the tire would even come close to touching the "steel belts" to cause them to corrode.

Score a -1 for your bullet point.


[3] Nitrogen provides longer tire life: Nitrogen inflated tire run cooler and require less maintenance according to the Goodyear application bulletin.

Tire life is a function of a tire being exposed to wear and tear of the physical road surface and also based on the driving habits of the car's driver. If the tires are kept inflated to spec then the wear and tear should be equal in amount and kind of wear and tear despite whether AIR of Nitrogen is being used.

The only way Nitrogen would make a difference is if in some manner the Nitrogen is somehow combining with the rubber of the tire to change its chemical composition to resist wear and tear. And that is totally impossible given the Nitrogen is being used to just inflate the tire and NOT to manufacture the tire.

Score a -1 for your bullet point.

[4] Nitrogen is non-flammable: Nitrogen technology has been used in aircraft, military and race car technology for over thirty years.

So what if Nitrogen is non-flammable. So is AIR. AIR is NOT the same as pure oxygen. Pure oxygen is NOT put into ties...AIR is put into tires. If AIR was a flammable substance then every time a match is struck to light a cigarette there would be a massive explosion.

Score a -1 for your bullet point.


TOTAL SCORE:

Valid arguments = +1
Invalid arguments = -3

So with the exception of point #1 where the use of Nitrogen would decrease the number of times I may have to inflate the tire where are the facts that support any advantage of using Nitrogen over Air????

At $40.00 a pop for Nitrogen I think that there is hardly any way that using Nitrogen over AIR to inflate the tires is cost-effective by any stretch of the imagination.

I just keep hearing that piper play people...

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dad

I had to get two new tires(non z car,jfi)! New tires on the rear, old tires (but good tread) moved to the front. Rear new tires, were nitrogen filled(free, no charge, I didn't even request it).
That was 2 months ago, I check the pressure on the 1st of each month faithfully!
The front tires, I have had to add a pound or two of air each time. The rear nitrogen tires have maintained the same pressure.

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kevr6

A ten second Google search isn't scourer. I deal with technicians all day everyday...who cares that your a tech. Your probably a shadetree tech anyway since your on these forums. You not an engineer that developed anything, so what good is your word against all these organizations and manufacturers who promote Nitrogen. That's my point!!

If you want to state your opinion then that's ok!! I keep repeating myself about first hand experience and nobody states that they've tried it and it didn't make some difference. No real comparison study. That's my basis for arguement. Not that I am a pro and you should listen to me!!!!

Bottom line, you can listen to folks who sit in front of a computer and analyze things and make generalized statements when a legitimate question is asked or you can listen to first hand experience w/ actual comparisons.(based on initial skepticism)

DONE! You'll be happy to know I'm done here! I'm sure you'll need the last word!

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