Does GM use Nitrogen or ? in their new Corvettes and other new vehicles tires?

[Barry H.]

Re: Does GM use Nitrogen or ? in their new Corvettes and other new vehicles tires?

Larry, My new 2014 has nitrogen in tires from Bowling Green, & I think my 2010 Grand Sport also had it from GM. Barry Holmes

[Leif A.]

Re: Does GM use Nitrogen or ? in their new Corvettes and other new vehicles tires?

Sooooo, what happened to the General's former stance on this subject...

"GM's Position on the Use of Nitrogen Gas in TiresGeneral Motors does not oppose the use of purified nitrogen as an inflation gas for tires. We expect the theoretical benefits to be reduced in practical use due to the lack of an existing infrastructure to continuously facilitate inflating tires with nearly pure nitrogen. Even occasional inflation with compressed atmospheric air will negate many of the theoretical benefits. Given those theoretical benefits, practical limitations, and the robust design of GM original equipment TPC tires, the realized benefits to our customer of inflating their tires with purified nitrogen are expected to be minimal"

[Bob H.]

Re: Does GM use Nitrogen or ? in their new Corvettes and other new vehicles tires?

put it on the dealer option list under paint and fabric lifetime protection. I know someone that just purchased a 2014 Vette and was proud of the fact he will never have to wax the car

[Joe C.]

Re: Does GM use Nitrogen or ? in their new Corvettes and other new vehicles tires?

What's the big deal here.
We all know that most NCRS faggits don't drive on tires older than, what, 5-6 years per manufacturers suggestions.
So who the hell needs nitrogen?
I have another 10 or so years before dementia begins to affect me.

[Jeffrey B.]

Re: Does GM use Nitrogen or ? in their new Corvettes and other new vehicles tires?

Maybe somebody already touched on this, but I have heard that nitrogen should be used in tires that have an air pressure sensing device because it is drier and less corrosive than air which would be better for the life of the pressure sensor. Believe I saw this on the automotive TV show Motor Week.
Jeff

[Michael W.]

Re: Does GM use Nitrogen or ? in their new Corvettes and other new vehicles tires?

Maybe somebody already touched on this, but I have heard that nitrogen should be used in tires that have an air pressure sensing device because it is drier and less corrosive than air which would be better for the life of the pressure sensor. Believe I saw this on the automotive TV show Motor Week.
Jeff

Is there a known problem that needs to be fixed or just somebody's idea of a solution in search of a problem?

[Jeffrey B.]

Re: Does GM use Nitrogen or ? in their new Corvettes and other new vehicles tires?

Hope that comment wasn't directed at me personally. I thought this forum was intended for constructive conversation among Corvette enthusiast.

[Michael W.]

Re: Does GM use Nitrogen or ? in their new Corvettes and other new vehicles tires?

Hope that comment wasn't directed at me personally. I thought this forum was intended for constructive conversation among Corvette enthusiast.

No, not at you, it was aimed at 'Motor Week' which at one time was a credible source. There's lots of sky-is-falling information on the interweebs -sometimes from unlikely sources.

[Terry M.]

Re: Does GM use Nitrogen or ? in their new Corvettes and other new vehicles tires?

OK; all well and good on the above responses. Now please if anybody knows: Answer my question--What does GM use now at their assembly plants?? Plain Air or??
Larry

Larry,

Bowling Green doesn't put anything into the Corvette tires. A contractor mounts, inflates and balances the wheel/tire assemblies and they are shipped to Bowling Green tagged for a specific Corvette.

When my 2008 was built it was equipped with Goodyear tires, but the contractor that did the mounting, inflation and balancing was Firestone. I wasn't the only person to see the irony in this. Oh, and my tires were/are inflated with 78% Nitrogen.

I cannot tell you how other GM Vehicle Assembly plants handle the wheels and tires. I can only share my knowledge of the practices at Bowling Green.

[John D.]

Re: Does GM use Nitrogen or ? in their new Corvettes and other new vehicles tires?

Don't think GM's position has changed....here's the latest.

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#05-03-10-020E: Use of Nitrogen Gas in Tires - (Feb 18, 2014)

Subject:	Use of Nitrogen Gas in Tires
Models:	2015 and Prior GM Passenger Cars and Trucks

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This bulletin has been revised to add the 2014-2015 model years. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 05-03-10-020D.

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GM's Position on the Use of Nitrogen Gas in Tires General Motors does not oppose the use of purified nitrogen as an inflation gas for tires. We expect the theoretical benefits to be reduced in practical use due to the lack of an existing infrastructure to continuously facilitate inflating tires with nearly pure nitrogen. Even occasional inflation with compressed atmospheric air will negate many of the theoretical benefits. Given those theoretical benefits, practical limitations, and the robust design of GM original equipment TPC tires, the realized benefits to our customer of inflating their tires with purified nitrogen are expected to be minimal.
The Promise of Nitrogen: Under Controlled Conditions Recently, nitrogen gas (for use in inflating tires) has become available to the general consumer through some retailers. The use of nitrogen gas to inflate tires is a technology used in automobile racing. The following benefits under controlled conditions are attributed to nitrogen gas and its unique properties:

• A reduction in the expected loss of Tire Pressure over time.
• A reduction in the variance of Tire Pressures with temperature changes due to reduction of water vapor concentration.
• A reduction of long term rubber degradation due to a decrease in oxygen concentrations. Important: These are obtainable performance improvements when relatively pure nitrogen gas is used to inflate tires under controlled conditions.

The Promise of Nitrogen: Real World UseGM Tire Quality, Technology and Focus of Importance Since 1972, General Motors has designed tires under the TPC (Tire Performance Criteria) specification system, which includes specific requirements that ensure robust tire performance under normal usage. General Motors works with tire suppliers to design and manufacture original equipment tires for GM vehicles. The GM TPC addresses required performance with respect to both inflation pressure retention, and endurance properties for original equipment tires. The inflation pressure retention requirements address availability of oxygen and oxidation concerns, while endurance requirements ensure the mechanical structure of the tire has sufficient strength. This combination has provided our customers with tires that maintain their structural integrity throughout their useful treadlife under normal operating conditions.
Regardless of the inflation media for tires (atmospheric air or nitrogen), inflation pressure maintenance of tires is critical for overall tire, and ultimately, vehicle performance. Maintaining the correct inflation pressure allows the tire to perform as intended by the vehicle manufacturer in many areas, including comfort, fuel economy, stopping distance, cornering, traction, treadwear, and noise. Since the load carrying capability of a tire is related to inflation pressure, proper inflation pressure maintenance is necessary for the tire to support the load imposed by the vehicle without excessive structural degradation.
Important: Regardless of the inflation media for tires (atmospheric air or nitrogen), inflation pressure maintenance of tires is critical for overall tire, and ultimately, vehicle performance.

[Michael W.]

Re: Does GM use Nitrogen or ? in their new Corvettes and other new vehicles tires?

Thanks John.

The fact that it is impossible to completely purge air from inside a tire while mounting and inflating it pretty well eliminates even theoretical benfits.

If there was truth to the 'nitrogen leaks less' premise, a tire filled with plain air would eventually purge itself of the oxygen while retaining the nitrogen. Eventually it wouldn't need any top ups. This doesn't seem to occur in real life.

[Bruce B.]

Re: Does GM use Nitrogen or ? in their new Corvettes and other new vehicles tires?

As noted, since air is about 78% Nitrogen, we are all reaping 78% of the Nitrogen benefits..............
Based on "gas laws" PVT =PVT" we are in good shape.
I have 4 early Corvettes with both bias and radial tires and commonly available air has worked fine for years and I drive my cars a lot.

[Michael G.]

Re: Does GM use Nitrogen or ? in their new Corvettes and other new vehicles tires?

This is so much bull.

While it is true that the nitrogen gas molecule is infinitesimally larger than the oxygen gas molecule, the difference is so slight that you'd have to demonstrate that the gaps between the rubber matrix in a tire are so small and so consistent that the smaller oxygen could fit through, while the larger nitrogen wouldn't. There is no such data, because it's a ludicrous assumption.

And even if it were true, (its not) air is 78 percent nitrogen anyway. So, if you believe this malarkey, just take the free air hose and overfill your tires with air by 22%. The oxygen will quickly leak out through the rubber, leaving almost pure nitrogen at the correct air pressure (with bit of inert argon and a few anther trace elements).

Don't blame me if next August you're still waiting for all the oxygen to leak out...

You don't have to pay nuttin' for that advice...

[Bruce B.]

Re: Does GM use Nitrogen or ? in their new Corvettes and other new vehicles tires?

Mike,
Very good advice.
Bruce B

[Rob M.]

Re: Does GM use Nitrogen or ? in their new Corvettes and other new vehicles tires?

so, how are we going to judge the content of the tires in 12+ years to determine of proper level of nitrogen is indeed in the tires as delivered per Bowling Greens specifications today?