nitrogen filled tires pros and cons

[olishooter]

Nitrogen inflation can provide some benefit by reducing gas (pressure loss) through the tire structure. We have seen that the inflation pressure loss of tires can be up to 5% a month. Nitrogen molecules are larger than oxygen molecules and, therefore, are less prone to a small leak through the tire casing. The actual obtainable benefits of nitrogen vary, based on the physical construction and the materials used in the manufacturing of the tire being inflated.



Another potential benefit of nitrogen is the reduced oxidation of tire components. it has been demonstrated that oxygen consumed in the oxidation process of the tire primarily comes from the inflation media. furthermore it is reasonable to assume that oxidation of tire components can be reduced if the tire is inflated with pure nitrogen. However, only very small amounts of oxygen are required to begin the normal oxidation process. Even slight contamination of the tire inflation gas with compressed atmospheric air during normal inflation pressure maintenance, may negate the benefits of using nitrogen. I have yet to see the postive aspect of this break through in tire inflation. It doesnt add up for the added cost for all four tires. How hard is it really to check all tires pressures. This is just another way to draw more money out of the customers. cheers Any questions call me at Master Mechanic 905-455-8888 (steve)

[Archngel]

Pros:

Well as a benifit, Nitrogen doesnt expand or retract under different temperature variance, its a stable gas. Here in quebec during winter time and with most car now equip with tpm, below -20 you tire pressure light will come ON notifying you that your pressure is low if you only have regular air into it. Once you drive 10 or 15 miles tire heats up and pressure return to normal, and pressure light shuts down. It was happening to me when I got my first H3 in 2006 every second day in winter had to check tire pressure to make sure.



The second advantage on this would be since there is no change in pressure, the wear on your tire is more even. they dont run over inflated wearing excessively the center of the ( dont know the word for it) sole of the tire, nor run under inflated to wear done excessively the tire shoulder.. result = tire last longer. With good care, ,religious rotation at every 5000k ive put over 180000km on my H3 -06 with barrely 25% wear on my stock tires. Did use Nitrogen with my winter tire also and still have my original winter tire from my 06 with still 75% to go after 4 yrs.



Cons.

I guess for someone that do off road often and deflate their tire and reinflate as the trail goes,, once back at home,, 20$ to have them reinflate with Nitrogen every time,, its getting expensive.



But for me, One set of tire mounted on rims for summer, one set of winter tire on rims, they are already inflated with Nitrogen doesnt cost me anything anymore. Paid once and thats it. So unless I have a puncture and need repair, I dont have to get them reinflated. My tires wear evenly, last longer and I dont have that anoying ding and light for low pressure every time it get below -20

[Sugarphreak]

[quote name='olishooter' timestamp='1286983082' post='21845']

Nitrogen inflation can provide some benefit by reducing gas (pressure loss) through the tire structure. We have seen that the inflation pressure loss of tires can be up to 5% a month. Nitrogen molecules are larger than oxygen molecules and, therefore, are less prone to a small leak through the tire casing. The actual obtainable benefits of nitrogen vary, based on the physical construction and the materials used in the manufacturing of the tire being inflated.



Another potential benefit of nitrogen is the reduced oxidation of tire components. it has been demonstrated that oxygen consumed in the oxidation process of the tire primarily comes from the inflation media. furthermore it is reasonable to assume that oxidation of tire components can be reduced if the tire is inflated with pure nitrogen. However, only very small amounts of oxygen are required to begin the normal oxidation process. Even slight contamination of the tire inflation gas with compressed atmospheric air during normal inflation pressure maintenance, may negate the benefits of using nitrogen. I have yet to see the postive aspect of this break through in tire inflation. It doesnt add up for the added cost for all four tires. How hard is it really to check all tires pressures. This is just another way to draw more money out of the customers. cheers

[/quote]



Except for the pro's mentioned by Archngel about the pressure being more stable in different temps, Nitrogen filled tires is pretty much snake oil.



Think of it this way, if the air you breathe is already 78% Nitrogen right... so when you fill your tires, if you believed that oxygen is more likely to seep out, flash forward to when you refilled it to the correct pressure to account for the lost oxygen; you would then be filling the 22% missing air with another 78% Nitrogen, correct? That means your tires are now at just over 95% Nitrogen... and again if that 5% seeped out and you filled it one more time with normal air the content would increase to 99% Nitrogen... which is atually a higher percentage than the specialty Nitrogen you can get from the shop for a premium price (usually only 95-98%).



But, lets face facts... that isn't how it works anyway. The whole story that your tire loses more oxygen than nitrogen because of the molecule size is pretty much snake oil to begin with.



Personally I don't buy the reduced oxidation statement myself either... most tires I see on the inside show little or no signs of oxidation. The biggest factor for tires to expire is temperature and humidity, not oxygen levels. For instance leaving your summer tires out in freezing weather is the fastest way to ruin them. With specialty tires like R-compounds... if you freeze them outside by accident, they are worthless come spring.



To really understand why Nitrogen has become so popular, you have to look to things like NASCAR and other racing events. People think because they use it, it must have huge benifits. Reality is that for something like NASCAR, they need to keep the tires in a perfect pressure zone for traction under extreme heat from running at high speeds so long... we are talking within probably a 1/2 PSI for the sweet spot. They use every tiny trick they can think of, naturally they use Nitrogen beause it is cheap to distill and does have better properties than regular air to keep the pressures in that sweet spot. Now it isn't a magical trouble free trick by any means, they adjust those tire pressures every change they get... your average joe is not going to be jumping out at every stop light to check to see how much his tires have heated up... and that is what would make a real difference, not using Nitrogen.



I personally do Autocross as well, I try to keep my tires usually within about 1 psi of the sweet spot when I do events... never used Nitrogen because it isn't worth it. I am constantly adjusting the pressures between runs, then pumping up over lunch, then re-adjusting them as they heat up again. I suppose if I had millions of dollars and sponsors like NASCAR I might make the switch to Nitrogen...



Anyway, that is my thoughts on it. My truck came with "free nitrogen for life" and I can't be bothered to even entertain the gimmick.