CJHYBRID

Just wonder if anyone runs nitrogen instead of air in their tyres.

A couple of the big tyre suppliers in the UK offer Nitro fill and just wonderedmif anyone has done this . They claim pressures are maintained better and the ride is improved and better tyre wear.

Charge about £10

Thinking of trying it but would prefer to make an informed decision

Chris

JohnLB

I think it's kind of like cold fusion. Most experts say there's nothing to it; has a few die hard supporters. I think the bottom line is that it has little real effect, from everything I've read.

katzjamr

Costco tires in the us supplies new purchases with nitrogen at no extra charge. my understanding is that it does not bleed through the tires , ie does not lose pressure and is more stable in heat and cold, this is used in race vehicles as far as I know, it is 18% oxygen so u can fill with that if u have to...I have it on my car and I like it

Weighit

Don't waste your money, you will not feel any difference and the tire won't last any longer. It was sold as a money maker for the tire industry unlike the need for aircraft tires or race car tires. You don't gain anything by having it in your tires.

CJHYBRID

Thanks for the replies I was in two minds what to do then after a bit more research found this and also that my local Kwik Fit tyre dealer would replace the air in all 4 tyres for £5.60 and would check them every month and top up if required free of charge.
Q
Nearly all Formula 1 teams uses NITROGEN for filling tyres. The tyres are filled with a special nitrogen rich, moisture free gas to make sure the pressure will not alter depending on where it was inflated (this gas does not expand when hot) and NITROGEN holds tyre pressure for longer than air.A 20% Tyre pressure drop reduces tyre life by 15%.
UQ

Best regards
Chris

RX330inFL

That last deal sounds a lot better. Once filled, you want to stick with having them topped off with N2 gas as necessary instead of regular pump air. Would defeat the purpose otherwise. Be sure to check the tire pressures yourself while the tires are cold. That is when you are supposed to measure tire pressure. Driving to the shop, even a short trip, will still increase tire pressures if even just a little bit.

BTW, N2 gas does expand. Ideal Gas Law. What are they teaching you kids in school these days? Here are a couple of other tidbits... First, while the N atom is smaller than the O atom (check any periodic table), N2 is actually a slightly larger molecule than O2 -- but only very slightly. If this was as big a deal as reported, why not use a highly stable large gas molecule? Next, remember that O wants to connect to most anything it can find and will gladly break its bonds to do so -- think oxidation (e.g. rust, fire...) The N2 molecule is a bit more stable. So, there "may" be some upside to using N2 gas in your tires. With tires now lasting 60K to 100K miles it is something to consider to help them age more graceful. However, only with time, testing and empirical data will we know with more certainty.

One other item you mentioned is probably more important in that this source is moisture free -- or at least as much as it can be. When you live in an environment where it is constantly raining or humid it is hard to find a quality source of dry air. Most shops do have a moisture trap on there compressors, however, there is still a good amount of moisture in there. If you live in the Western US where the humidity regularly runs 15% in many areas this is not a problem.

Race teams use N2 tanks to fill tires as it is a consistent source of quality. Should they just use pump air from whatever region the race is located they would get varying amounts of moisture and even pollutants in with the mix. During a race as tire temperatures increase the different gases and compounds would expand at different rates and would be somewhat unpredictable. This prohibits the ability to take testing data from track-to-track. If you can control the quality of what goes to inflate the tires you have a better baseline from which to work from.

So, there is a bit of hype in the story of using N in car tires. However, what you are getting is a better, cleaner, dryer source of air. If that is important to you then go ahead for the peace of mind. Regardless, still check your tire pressures on a regular basis.

CJHYBRID

For under £6 and top ups included and living in a Country where moisture is present most of the time including July I am going to use Nitro . Thanks to all for your commemts and insight.

Best regards
Chris

katzjamr

while we are talking about moisture in inflating tires, the small, noisy, underpowered pumps at the self serve stations in the US are some of the worst offenders for that, aside from the cost they are not worth it. I would go to les schwab or a similar store to have tires inflated.

CJHYBRID

Yes agree think gas stations have poor quality equipment specialist tyre centres are best

Chris