Nitrogen in tires?
07-01-2005, 09:56 PM
#53
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Guys, nitrogen is not a gimmick but the reason you use it is easily misunderstood. It isn't the nitrogen gas itself--it's the lack of any moisture in that gas. You could use compressed air to achieve the same effect--provided that air was completely dry. Most air compressors accumulate water in the tank which then gets into the tire. When the tire heats up the water turns to vapor and expands dramatically--with a corresponding spike in tire pressure. Eliminate that moisture and you eliminate fluctuating tire pressures.
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Last edited by PUR NRG; 05-01-2011 at 06:26 AM.
07-02-2005, 02:51 PM
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Originally Posted by PUR NRG
Guys, nitrogen is not a gimmick but the reason you use it is easily misunderstood. It isn't the nitrogen gas itself--it's the lack of any moisture in that gas. You could use compressed air to achieve the same effect--provided that air was completely dry. Most air compressors accumulate water in the tank which then gets into the tire. When the tire heats up the water turns to vapor and expands dramatically--with a corresponding spike in tire pressure. Eliminate that moisture and you eliminate fluctuating tire pressures.
06-06-2007, 12:58 AM
#62
Nitrogen in Tires?
Sorry if this is a repost but I read that nitrogen in tires give the car better performance. Is this true? If it is, how many of RX8er here do it?
My brother drives a G35 coupe and he regularly visits this site and so I stumbled upon this article.
It was pretty interesting. Check out these Enkei wheels that let's you insert nitrogen while bleeding out air. Dual valves! Sick!
My brother drives a G35 coupe and he regularly visits this site and so I stumbled upon this article.
"Many race car teams use nitrogen instead of air in their tires because nitrogen has a much more consistent rate of expansion and contraction compared to the usual air. Often, a half pound of pressure will radically affect traction and handling. With track and tire temperatures varying over the duration of a race, the consistency of nitrogen is needed.
Nitrogen pressure is more consistent than normal air pressure, because air typically contains varying amounts of moisture due to changes in the relative humidity on race day. Water causes air to be inconsistent in its rate of expansion and contraction. So, a humid race in the southeast United States or a dry race in the desert western United States could make for unpredictable tire pressures if "dry" nitrogen were not used. Nitrogen is also used in the high-pressure tires on large and small aircraft. "
other info http://www.popularmechanics.com/auto...tml?page=2&c=y
http://www.techcentralstation.com/111604D.html
http://www.tirelast.com/id5.html"
Nitrogen pressure is more consistent than normal air pressure, because air typically contains varying amounts of moisture due to changes in the relative humidity on race day. Water causes air to be inconsistent in its rate of expansion and contraction. So, a humid race in the southeast United States or a dry race in the desert western United States could make for unpredictable tire pressures if "dry" nitrogen were not used. Nitrogen is also used in the high-pressure tires on large and small aircraft. "
other info http://www.popularmechanics.com/auto...tml?page=2&c=y
http://www.techcentralstation.com/111604D.html
http://www.tirelast.com/id5.html"
06-06-2007, 02:19 AM
#64
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nitrogen will stay in the tire longer.
when there are temp changes from cold to hot, tires with air will loose pressure
tires with nitrogen will keep a steady psi no matter what
when there are temp changes from cold to hot, tires with air will loose pressure
tires with nitrogen will keep a steady psi no matter what
06-06-2007, 10:57 AM
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i know at least one bmw dealer out here has installed nitrogen "pumps" for their service center they sent out a flyer advertising the benefits of using nitrogen and that they had one installed.
06-06-2007, 06:27 PM
#67
it's simply a marketing gimmick to separate $$$ from uninformed motorists, you're not driving an Indy car 
it's of no consequence for the pressure to fluctuate on the typical street car tire
the atmosphere is already 75% nitrogen, the difference between oxygen and nitrogen is small and only a small portion of the remaining air composition, and most leaks are not osmonic in nature, not to mention that you should be checking your pressure on a regular basis anyways because you can't foresee small cuts, picking up a nail, etc. ....
it's of no consequence for the pressure to fluctuate on the typical street car tirethe atmosphere is already 75% nitrogen, the difference between oxygen and nitrogen is small and only a small portion of the remaining air composition, and most leaks are not osmonic in nature, not to mention that you should be checking your pressure on a regular basis anyways because you can't foresee small cuts, picking up a nail, etc. ....
Last edited by TeamRX8; 06-06-2007 at 06:34 PM.
06-06-2007, 06:44 PM
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it's simply a marketing gimmick to separate $$$ from uninformed motorists, you're not driving an Indy car it's of no consequence for the pressure to fluctuate on the typical street car tire
the atmosphere is already 75% nitrogen, the difference between oxygen and nitrogen is small and only a small portion of the remaining air composition, and most leaks are not osmonic in nature, not to mention that you should be checking your pressure on a regular basis anyways because you can't foresee small cuts, picking up a nail, etc. ....
it's of no consequence for the pressure to fluctuate on the typical street car tirethe atmosphere is already 75% nitrogen, the difference between oxygen and nitrogen is small and only a small portion of the remaining air composition, and most leaks are not osmonic in nature, not to mention that you should be checking your pressure on a regular basis anyways because you can't foresee small cuts, picking up a nail, etc. ....
06-06-2007, 06:50 PM
#70
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When I got my new tires installed and balanced they filled with nitrogen. No charge. Good
The Chrysler dealer wanted $60 for nitrogen fill! Bad...
Any difference with nitrogen? Not that I've noticed.
The Chrysler dealer wanted $60 for nitrogen fill! Bad...
Any difference with nitrogen? Not that I've noticed.
06-06-2007, 07:07 PM
#71
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Somebody hasn't learned about the gas laws.
Short story, any gas that changes temperature in a fixed volume will change pressure. The type of gas really only affects the degree to which a change in pressure, volume or amount of gas affects the rest of the equation (calulations are usually adjusted by Van der Waals constants).
Short story, any gas that changes temperature in a fixed volume will change pressure. The type of gas really only affects the degree to which a change in pressure, volume or amount of gas affects the rest of the equation (calulations are usually adjusted by Van der Waals constants).
06-07-2007, 07:22 AM
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Nitrogen makes NO difference on a street car. It's actually worse because you're paying for it and regular air is basically free. The only potential value I see is if you're storing tires long term and trying to prevent dry rot.
The only reason racers use it is that it's much easier to exactly calculate the change in pressure due to change in temperature. You can still be pretty close with regular air, just not as exact because of humidity changes, elevation changes, etc.
Unless you are skilled enough to be at the top tier of professional racing and are driving a race car where there are major changes in tire temperature it's dumb to fill your street cars tires with nitrogen.
The only reason racers use it is that it's much easier to exactly calculate the change in pressure due to change in temperature. You can still be pretty close with regular air, just not as exact because of humidity changes, elevation changes, etc.
Unless you are skilled enough to be at the top tier of professional racing and are driving a race car where there are major changes in tire temperature it's dumb to fill your street cars tires with nitrogen.
08-22-2007, 11:38 AM
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Nitrogen filled tires
Does any have any input on this? The local dealer says it increases tire life around %35 if I remember right and gas mileage 1 or 2 mpg. I've been looking around and seem to get mixed reviews. What happens if your tire pressure is low? Do I have to get to the dealer again and pay another $25 to correct the pressure? Say if you were on a road trip and needed air can you add air to the nitrogen or would I have to go to a supplier?
What about fix a flat, can you still use it? Not that I would unless I was stranded but it could happen.
Anyway any thoughts or ideas would be helpful.
Btw new to the board. Just pick up my 04 rx8 last week. So far I love it! Miss the turbo my FD had but that can be taken care of
O one more this had the emmisions recall done and there saying there was a misfire code and I need new plugs and wires. If I read right shouldn't they have replaced the plugs when doing the recall?
What about fix a flat, can you still use it? Not that I would unless I was stranded but it could happen.
Anyway any thoughts or ideas would be helpful.
Btw new to the board. Just pick up my 04 rx8 last week. So far I love it! Miss the turbo my FD had but that can be taken care of
O one more this had the emmisions recall done and there saying there was a misfire code and I need new plugs and wires. If I read right shouldn't they have replaced the plugs when doing the recall?
08-22-2007, 12:07 PM
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well a little back ground first... Nitrogen is the new sales tool in tires.
78.08% of all air (at 1000ft above sea level) is Nitrogen, so bumping it up to 98% (the average when a tire is filled) is not a big jump as basic air is mostly Nitrogen.
The idea, is that pure nitrogen leaks less through the rubber of the tire, so tires stay inflated to the set pressure much longer. Also since most tires are filled either by a tank or Nitrogen generator (or more accurately a scrubber) there is the potential for less moisture to be placed into the tire, in combination with less Oxygen, means reduced possibility of internal degradation of the tire and rubber.
So if less air leaks from the tire, and tires stay at set pressure longer, that is where they are claiming increased tire life and increased mileage. If you stay on top and check your tire pressure regularly then using nitrogen will really make no difference.
As far as adding tire life from lack of Oxygen. Since you generally are using performance tires on a RX-8, the tire life is usually less than 5 years anyway. If you are long term storing the car, then the extra life of nitrogen will help.
You can top off nitrogen filled tires with regular air, since again, regular air is mostly nitrogen anyway.
And if they are charging you $25 for nitrogen in the tires, they are ripping you off.
78.08% of all air (at 1000ft above sea level) is Nitrogen, so bumping it up to 98% (the average when a tire is filled) is not a big jump as basic air is mostly Nitrogen.
The idea, is that pure nitrogen leaks less through the rubber of the tire, so tires stay inflated to the set pressure much longer. Also since most tires are filled either by a tank or Nitrogen generator (or more accurately a scrubber) there is the potential for less moisture to be placed into the tire, in combination with less Oxygen, means reduced possibility of internal degradation of the tire and rubber.
So if less air leaks from the tire, and tires stay at set pressure longer, that is where they are claiming increased tire life and increased mileage. If you stay on top and check your tire pressure regularly then using nitrogen will really make no difference.
As far as adding tire life from lack of Oxygen. Since you generally are using performance tires on a RX-8, the tire life is usually less than 5 years anyway. If you are long term storing the car, then the extra life of nitrogen will help.
You can top off nitrogen filled tires with regular air, since again, regular air is mostly nitrogen anyway.
And if they are charging you $25 for nitrogen in the tires, they are ripping you off.