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

[Larry E.]

We all know that at this time of year when the temps outside are getting cooler that the air pressures in the various tires lose some air pressure.
This includes everything from auto's, riding lawn mowers, scooters, and etc. I noticed that my new Silverado (bought in June) seems to be holding
the air pressure better then all my other "toys". In fact I have not added any air to the tires since I bought it. Just wondering if GM is using something else to fill their tires at the plants other then pure air?? Comments Please; thanks in advance--Larry

[Ken R.]

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

Usually up to the dealer to do the nitrogen fill. Nitrogen filled tires still change with temperature.

[William L.]

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

My 2014 came with nitrogen in the tires.

[Michael W.]

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

Nitrogen changes pressure with temperature no differently than air. It amazes me how repair shops and dealers manage to perpetuate this scam, including putting up gobbledygook adverting:

[Kurt G.]

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

Nitrogen is an inert gas, meaning it contains no moisture and is less prone to freezing and large pressure swings. It does cause the tires to run slightly cooler, but the still loose pressure with temp changes. It is used almost exclusively in aircraft components, such as tires as it contains no moisture and hence nothing to freeze at -75C air temps at 41,000'.

As for cars, if you want spend the money do it on a portable compressor for the trunk or garage.

[Michael W.]

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

It does cause the tires to run slightly cooler,

Sorry, no. If two tires, one filled with air and the other filled with nitrogen, are inflated to the same pressure when cold both will increase to the same 'hot' pressure. If one tire has been inadvertently inflated with contaminated air, that's a different story. How often does that happen?

One gaping hole in the logic of the sales pitch is that if nitrogen actually expanded less than air, the tire would never reach it's designed pressure when at normal operating temp. We all know the dangers of under-inflated tires.

The reasons that aircraft use nitrogen really don't apply to cars.

[Edward J.]

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

Here in the Northeast Corvettes rarely see winters, So temp. swing don't really apply to those cars, in the south Nitrogen will be constant, The good thing about Nitrogen is that its great for those that rarely check pressure in there tires, Sometimes woman and business professionals cannot find time, nor gas stations with air pumps these days. So it does have its good points, as we all know how much the price of gas is these days and low tire pressure attributes to bad fuel economy and unevan wear on those tires. which are not cheap either.

[Duke W.]

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

Water in the vapor state behaves as an ideal gas, just like nitrogen and oxygen, but clearly the industry is engaging in false advertising that the FTC should do something about.

If air temperature in the tire drops below the dew point, the water vapor can condense to liquid water and even freeze if the temperature is below freezing, which will drop pressure, but the ice or water will likely go back to the vapor state when the tire warms up from driving.

Commercial nitrogen is very dry, so there is less water vapor in the tire than can condense or freeze, and a tire explosion is less likely to cause a fire (in an aircraft) because there is less available oxygen for combustion.

If you have your own compression, it is best to have a good drier on it, and check tires when the dew point is low. In the fall in Southern Califoria we sometimes get what is called a "Santa Ana" condition, where the wind blows out of the east. It can be hot, but the dew point can drop to below zero, which is much colder that any ambient temperature we will ever experience near the coast.

During these conditions, I have been known to "change the air in my tires" by supporting each end of the car with a jack, removing the valve stem core to allow all the air to escape, and then refilling with the very dry air.

I've tried to explain this to my neighbors, but they think I'm crazy.

For those of you who live in cold winter climates, the dew point can often drop below zero during the winter, so that's a good time to change the air in your tires to ensure that's it's very dry for the warmer weather driving season.

Duke

[Mike M.]

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

good point duke. mike

[Michael W.]

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

Here in the Northeast Corvettes rarely see winters, So temp. swing don't really apply to those cars, in the south Nitrogen will be constant, The good thing about Nitrogen is that its great for those that rarely check pressure in there tires, Sometimes woman and business professionals cannot find time, nor gas stations with air pumps these days. So it does have its good points, as we all know how much the price of gas is these days and low tire pressure attributes to bad fuel economy and unevan wear on those tires. which are not cheap either.

There's no evidence, either scientific theory or real world proof, that nitrogen leaks out of tires at lower rate than air. This is just more hocus-pocus from the marketeers.

[Domenic T.]

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

Maybe a different slant, but air will oxidize, nitrogen to my knowledge does not. I seal my voltage regulators with nitrogen to keep the insides from oxidation. I also seal my paint cans with nitrogen inside! What about the rot on tires exposed to air vs nitrogen. My guess would be that it would lessen tire rot from the inside out??
Just a thought!!

Dom

[Michael W.]

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

What about the rot on tires exposed to air vs nitrogen. My guess would be that it would lessen tire rot from the inside out??
Just a thought!!

Dom

What about 'rotting' from the outside in?

[Domenic T.]

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

Michael,
As you know the inside is built differently than the out side. I have thrown the entire thread off a tire and made it on the cords.
This is a TRUE STORY that happened in my living room! I have 2 Indian motorcycles on display in my living room. I take them out and ride them occasionally. One nite my wife & I heard air escaping somewhere and it was the rear tube on one that gave way, rotted. The tires were repo's that I could only get from China, so I used their tube also. The tube had cracks as if it rotted in the Sun when I took it out. I have nitrogen at the shop and use it in the bikes now.
I blame this on the rubber but a little nitrogen instead of air might help?

Dom

[Larry E.]

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

[Joe R.]

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

Larry,

Read #3 carefully!

JR