Nitrogen in Auto tires???

[Beltane]

We went to have snow tires put on one of our vehicles the other day and the service folks asked if we wanted to fill the tires with nitrogen for an extra $4 per tire. We said no, but then did a Google search when we got home and found out that this has been around for a while. Has anyone tried this???

[tomstractormag]

It is used in Race Car tires. More even pressure through heating and cooling cycles.

[scott]

my guess is they are about 76-78% nitrogen filled now ... when i raced cars way back when ...we used nitrogen 1) cause that's what was handy and 2) it did provide a more controllable pressure expansion when the tires got some heat in them ... since i doubt your going thru a set of 4 every 1-1/2 hours ...don't fall for the hype...save your money and giggle knowingly to yourself when someone tries to take an extra 16 bucks out of your pocket

[tiogacounty]

Not worth spend too much for, but in these parts it's being hyped as a free added service by some of the more competitive tire dealers. It's becoming so common that the dealer I use is about to drop a few thousand on a machine for his shop. Doesn't hurt, does make an earth shattering difference either. A few billion tires across the planet are filled with plain ole' are at the moment, and doing just fine.

[FreightTrain]

unless your in a race car or aircraft, save your money and just check your pressure from time to time

[Christiaan]

Costco uses nitrogen as a regular part of their service. Still the best price around here.

[Quint]

I use to do it on hot rods. Did the same thing with some of my really large mud tires.

[Scrounger]

Nitrogen also is "dry air" compared to compressed air. Not worth $4 per tire. I about laughed in the guys face when we bought new tires and he wanted to charge me the extra cash. Suprising how many fall for it, though.

[rwinsouthla]

I got asked if I wanted it too. I said no of course, then got to thinking that when I needed to air them (or would you say nitrogen them) up would I have to spend $4 a tire again? I thought shoot, I have a hard enough time paying the 50 cents they want to air my tires up at the gas station as it is. Why would I pay $4 a tire when they needed topping off?

Just another gimmick if you ask me. The automobile industry has gone 100 some odd years using air which is 79% nitrogen already.

[Windy in Kansas]

Originally Posted by FreightTrain

unless your in a race car or aircraft, save your money and just check your pressure from time to time

That's the problem--with such trouble free cars and self service stations few people even glance and tires know what they are seeing.

It is my understanding that nitrogen filled tires will loose less pressure over an extended period of time than normally aired tires will making it ideal for those that won't/don't or can't check their tires themselves.

[quadcam79]

if you street tires heat up enough to warrant nitrogen you have bigger problems lol
it is good for racecars and airplanes though.
the reason for using it in aircraft tires, at altitude in freezing temps O2 condenses and will form moisture on the inside of the tire, landing with ice inside the tire would cause it to be off balance and make it unstable. also, non corrosive, non flammable, doesnt change density at altitude or with changing temps.

[canfossi]

I have never heard of this, no save your money. I know I hate paying the 50 cents for air also, I try to find free air. There are still some places that are free. Chris

[Alice In TX/MO]

Personally, that ranks right up there with the need to change the air in your tires when you change your oil.