Nitrogen Tires??? It never cease's to amaze

[Jim S.]

me on the knowledge and intelligence of members on this board. Since I reside at the lower end of the "Intelligence Bell Curve", I have no idea what Duke and others are talking about but it sounds pretty good. I'll take my advice from them before a late night comedian.
Thanks guys

[Rick S.]

Re: Nitrogen Tires??? It never cease's to amaze

I would venture a guess a large portion of the member on this board would agree with you.

[Kevin M.]

Re: Nitrogen Tires??? It never cease's to amaze

They've been selling Nitrogen to my 82 year old mother at the car wash for years. I heard about it from her first. LOL

Kevin

[Terry F.]

Re: Nitrogen Tires??? It never cease's to amaze

The argument they gave me is that it leaks out of the tire more slowly than air and it has a more stable tire pressure. In general, they feel the tire will last longer because it will stay properly inflated longer and you will get better gas millage for having properly inflated tires. I guess a tire that is under inflated can cause a significan loss in gass millage. Please don't kill the messenger. TErry

[Rick S.]

Re: Nitrogen Tires??? It never cease's to amaze

Kevin,
Her lungs must not have rusted out from too much moisture because she used Nitrogen? Or is she from a drier climate? I don't care about the theory, just let me know it will work when I need it. Reminds me of 1966 when I pulled the trigger on my M-16, I didn't care how or why it worked, along as the the SOB in my sights went down.

Rick

[Gary Schisler]

Re: Nitrogen Tires??? It never cease's to amaze

I have to agree with some of your statements. There is a valid arguement that N leaks out more slowly than air and typically is drier and more stable. However, if the tire pressure fluctuation is due to changes in temperature, then a nitrogen filled tire will fluctuate just as much as an air filled tire. Boyle's Law is the governing rule here, if I remember my (ancient) physics here.

Fwiw, one of the reasons that commercial and military aircraft use nitrogen is the lower leakage rate. The other BIG reason is that nitrogen is inert and will not support combustion. Of course, a tire rolling down the runway at 160 mph can generate tons of heat if there is a malfunction internally or a brake malfunction. I doubt that cars will ever need nitrogen soley due to its inert function. Oth, the leakage of air can be an issue. I routinely check my tire pressures but I wonder how many typical car owners do?

Gary

[Terry F.]

Re: Nitrogen Tires??? It never cease's to amaze

I think the single biggest reason is fuel efficency. I think that statistically the air pressure in the average persons car varies considerably in a short period of time. Most people don't take care of the air pressure on a month by month basis or yearly basis. If the tire looks low, they check it and deal with it then. Nationally, the fuel thing can be significant. Terry

[Kevin M.]

Re: Nitrogen Tires??? It never cease's to amaze

Gary,

You hit the nail. Nitrogen has lower thermal properties than air so the tire runs cooler with less expansion. I'm pretty sure that's what I heard from the local motorman show.

Kevin