Is using Nitrogen a bunch of hot air

[Zdom]

I went to the local tire dealer with my dad to get new tires on his car and they were promoting having your tires filled with nitrogen vs. compressed air. Any truth to their claim?

[sobewebmaster]

Nitrogen is more stable than just putting air in your tires(In regards to different climate conditions). The GT-R showcases this from factory with Nitrogen filled tires.

[Trips]

The Truth About Filling Your Tires with Nitrogen | The Truth About Cars

[dszombiex]

Originally Posted by Triple's

The Truth About Filling Your Tires with Nitrogen | The Truth About Cars

^^^ Check that link.

Btw composition of the earth's atmosphere:

Nitrogen (N2) 780,840 ppmv (78.084%)
Oxygen (O2) 209,460 ppmv (20.946%)
Argon (Ar) 9,340 ppmv (0.9340%)
Carbon dioxide (CO2) 387 ppmv (0.0387%)
Neon (Ne) 18.18 ppmv (0.001818%)
Helium (He) 5.24 ppmv (0.000524%)
Methane (CH4) 1.79 ppmv (0.000179%)
Krypton (Kr) 1.14 ppmv (0.000114%)
Hydrogen (H2) 0.55 ppmv (0.000055%)
Nitrous oxide (N2O) 0.3 ppmv (0.00003%)
Xenon (Xe) 0.09 ppmv (9 × 10−6%)
Ozone (O3) 0.0 to 0.07 ppmv (0% to 7 × 10−6%)
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) 0.02 ppmv (2 × 10−6%)
Iodine (I) 0.01 ppmv (1 × 10−6%)
Carbon monoxide (CO) 0.1 ppmv (0.00001%)
Ammonia (NH3) trace

[Push370zzz]

Originally Posted by dszombiex

^^^ Check that link.

Btw composition of the earth's atmosphere:

Nitrogen (N2) 780,840 ppmv (78.084%)
Oxygen (O2) 209,460 ppmv (20.946%)
Argon (Ar) 9,340 ppmv (0.9340%)
Carbon dioxide (CO2) 387 ppmv (0.0387%)
Neon (Ne) 18.18 ppmv (0.001818%)
Helium (He) 5.24 ppmv (0.000524%)
Methane (CH4) 1.79 ppmv (0.000179%)
Krypton (Kr) 1.14 ppmv (0.000114%)
Hydrogen (H2) 0.55 ppmv (0.000055%)
Nitrous oxide (N2O) 0.3 ppmv (0.00003%)
Xenon (Xe) 0.09 ppmv (9 × 10−6%)
Ozone (O3) 0.0 to 0.07 ppmv (0% to 7 × 10−6%)
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) 0.02 ppmv (2 × 10−6%)
Iodine (I) 0.01 ppmv (1 × 10−6%)
Carbon monoxide (CO) 0.1 ppmv (0.00001%)
Ammonia (NH3) trace

Haha was just going to point this out. Air is mostly N2 anyways...why pay more for it!!

[JACKPAC]

Not worth the extra cost.

[ChrisSlicks]

The only real advantage is that it leaks slightly less slowly. But because it leaks more slowly that leads you to be lazy in checking your tire pressure. Pressure change in response to ambient temperature is roughly the same. Interior oxidation is a non-issue, exterior UV is far more harmful than O2.

Just check your pressures once a month or more and you'll be fine. Wish they had left the tire pressure display screen, even a $20K Chevy has that now.

[kenchan]

nitrogen is more stable under different temps... i dont use it though.

[ChrisSlicks]

Originally Posted by kenchan

nitrogen is more stable under different temps... i dont use it though.

Stable how? As in less likely to burst into flames?

[pbs370z]

Originally Posted by kenchan

nitrogen is more stable under different temps... i dont use it though.

I don't know what people mean when they say N is more stable.

Remembering high school physics: P1T1 = P2T2. (Correction? P1/T1 = P2/T2). In other words, you heat a gas up a certain amount then the pressure goes up a certain amount. Doesn't matter what gas you're talking about. Maybe they mean no Oxygen is safer and better (uh, less oxidation). Ya, I'll buy that.

Anyways, I just bought a Coupe w/Sport pkg today (yahoo!), and it has green caps on the valve stems. Does that mean they put Nitrogen in the tires, or are they just pretty green caps?

[didymus]

Originally Posted by pbs370z

I don't know what people mean when they say N is more stable.

Remembering high school physics: P1T1 = P2T2. In other words, you heat a gas up a certain amount then the pressure goes up a certain amount. Doesn't matter what gas you're talking about. Maybe they mean no Oxygen is safer and better (uh, less oxidation). Ya, I'll buy that.

Anyways, I just bought a Coupe w/Sport pkg today (yahoo!), and it has green caps on the valve stems. Does that mean they put Nitrogen in the tires, or are they just pretty green caps?

Well your physics is off a bit but you're right about it not nattering what gas it is. An stability is quite a vague statement. Although I have no experience with nitrogen in tires, it does seem like a bunch of hype..

[pbs370z]

Ya, it was late last night. I believe the equation is P1/T1 = P2/T2. Corrections welcome!

[Red__Zed]

Originally Posted by pbs370z

Ya, it was late last night. I believe the equation is P1/T1 = P2/T2. Corrections welcome!

those equations assume the same gas on both sides of the equations....

Think PV=nRT...


n2 is ever so slightly more stable. No reason to pay extra for it. Costco does n2 for free though!

[Liquid_G]

Scam scam scam.. Whats awesome is the "Discount Tire" and tire chain stores charge you for it..

oh and hahaha.. that .pdf you attached is painful to read..

"Nitrogen dissipates heat, reducing rolling resistance and therefore enhancing fuel economy."

What a crock..

[ChrisSlicks]

Well, any time you have your tires properly inflated you will have reduced rolling resistance, I guess that is the point. But how it magically makes heat disappear (something the laws of physics says is impossible) I have no idea.