Nitrogen in Tires. Worth it?

[plex]

In fact, I will avoid any dealer offer "nitrogen fill" as a premium add-on to your purchase, knowing that they probably are con artists!

Sponsored

 

[roaniecowpony]

Not worth the money, IMO. Common air is 78% nitrogen. If you can get pure, dry nitrogen for free, take it. Don't give it a second thought if you don't put nitrogen in your tires. No, nitrogen will not remain at a constant pressure with temperature change. It will be slightly less change in pressure than air, but it will change nearly as much as common air. Don't believe the hype on stable pressure vs temperature for nitrogen. It defies the laws of physics.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=191

https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2007/10/tires-nitrogen-air-loss-study/index.htm

 

[roaniecowpony]

My tire pressure hasn't fluctuated in the year I've had mine.

The Duke would never say that.

 

[TXJeepScientist]

Why? Do you think the compressed gas in a tire makes up the majority of the weight in an inflated wheel/tire?

Nitrogen expands very easily

Thats ridiculous....only helium produces those benefits.

I just looked up the gas tables. Air is slightly more dense than Nitrogen, but ever so slightly. But the gains are not worth the costs. I thought Ni would be lighter.

 

[TXJeepScientist]

Why? Do you think the compressed gas in a tire makes up the majority of the weight in an inflated wheel/tire?

After looking at the gas tables and comparing the densities of air and Ni, air is slightly denser than Ni and therefore not as much of a benefit as I initially thought.

 

[W5MQS]

Thats ridiculous....only helium produces those benefits.

Tires still weigh the same regardless if air, nitrogen or helium is used. Gravity is a bitch.

 

[Paluss]

My JLUR came with it at no charge. First vehicle with it for me, thought about it for the motorcycle (where tire pressure is much more critical) but I'm old school and check my pressures before each ride and when traveling and carry a small portable compressor for the bike. But I agree if you are going to air down/up you tires then no need for it. I will add that the tire pressures have been consistent since April 2018 when I purchased it.

 

[RocketScientist]

After looking at the gas tables and comparing the densities of air and Ni, air is slightly denser than Ni and therefore not as much of a benefit as I initially thought.

I dunno, last time I checked the periodic table, Ni was denser that air, by far. Just saying.... Not sure if I'd be putting Ni in my tires, either. Whoa, rough ride there!

 

[Jondrew]

Since air is roughly 80% nitrogen, just fill your tires an additional 20% and you’ll have it filled with free nitrogen. *



* I know the math is wrong, and if you’re dumb enough to try this please sell your Jeep

 

[JDLouisville]

Since air is roughly 80% nitrogen, just fill your tires an additional 20% and you’ll have it filled with free nitrogen. *



* I know the math is wrong, and if you’re dumb enough to try this please sell your Jeep

 

[Midwestguy]

Tires still weigh the same regardless if air, nitrogen or helium is used. Gravity is a bitch.

Nitrogen expands very easily

I just looked up the gas tables. Air is slightly more dense than Nitrogen, but ever so slightly. But the gains are not worth the costs. I thought Ni would be lighter.

Tires still weigh the same regardless if air, nitrogen or helium is used. Gravity is a bitch.

Fellas, this was my attempt at sarcasm...although id be willing to hear about someone trying to fill up on helium though- LOL

 

[Stickerhead]

So if I get my tires changed, should I tell the tire shop to “recover my Ni” and reuse it?

 

[RCH]

I believe it is useful for a road car if you want to. I air down and air up on a bi-weekly basis (at least). I couldn't afford the nitrogen. Maybe when they develop a computerized pumping set up with capture tanks (like a submarines ballast set up). Pump down the tires into the nitrogen holding tanks when you want to crawl or beach run, then pump back in from the holding tanks to the tires when you hit the highway.

Nope, I use air. So far it's free.

v/r rch

 

[cbrenthus]

I agree with all the posts that say its a scam/ snake oil / etc. I also just wanted to point out that if you have a nitrogen fill, don't believe the BS that you can't put regular air in. I've had several vehicles that came with nitrogen from the dealer (didn't pay for it) and I always filled with regular air with no issues.


I'd also love to see an investigative report where someone goes and tests all these nitrogen filled tires to see if they actually are pure nitrogen

 

[Squibbles]

N2 was all the rage many, many years back and tire shops charged $2-$5 a tire to let the air out and refill with N2, the concept was N2 molecules are larger than regular compressed air so the leak rate is less plus it’s not supposed to heat up as quickly and disapate heat more quickly, at the time I worked for Linde BOC at an N2/O2 separation plant so it was free for me to refill all my tires and I never saw any benefit

All of these things are wrong, they do it for the same reason you ground beef is packed with N2, prevents oxidation.

Sponsored