Are Tires Nitrogen-Filled?

I guarantee that your tires contain at least 78% nitrogen!

 

Green caps are standard for "nitronized" tires. It's a gimmick. Fill them as you would any normal tire.

Tom

 

My understanding is the 'nitrogen filled tires' only help those who do not pay attention to maintain proper tire inflation. I think the idea is from the nitrogen molecule being fairly large so it exits the tire at a rate slower than the air you'd usually pump into your tires. Like qbee42 said, it's a gimmick. I just cannot see how a little nitrogen can lighten the wheels/tires enough to see any appreciable difference.

 

Green caps are used to signify nitrogen but I wouldn't pay to have them filled, ambient air is usually 78% nitrogen

 

That's one of the claims, but it's not true. The diffusion rate of nitrogen is very close to that of air.

Tom

 

In CR's nitrogen test, starting with 30 psi, over a 1 year period the N2 tires lost 2.2, while air-filled lost 3.5 psi. So the difference is a little over 0.1 psi per month

In most locations you have to adjust inflation for seasonal variation so it has minimal value. If you really care about mileage you check more frequently.

 

I know of a bridge made entirely out of Monster Cable........

 

Nitrogen filled tires are not primarily for either of those purposes (lightening or slowing deflation).

Nitrogen is a cheap inert gas. Replacing the oxygen content of air in a wheel & tire assembly with nitrogen prevents slow oxidation (corrosion & rot) of the elements and compounds used in wheel and tire construction. Nitrogen filled tires being oxygen free, also will not support fire (rapid oxidation) in the event of a collision or a tire failure.

The benefits of nitrogen filled tires on automobiles are minimal due to the speeds and pressures involved. In a high speed jumbo jet weighing 350 tons, touching down at 200 MPH with its wheels at zero rpm, and tires inflated to 275psi mounted on magnesium wheels, directly below 300,000 pounds of jet fuel - nitrogen inflation is very important.

MrBill

 

I wouldn't read much into that small of a variation, given CR's typical testing methods. It's probably not statistically significant.

Tom

 

Honestly now. How many tires have rotted out on you because they were not filled with 100% nitrogen. Furthermore, how many tires (inside) have rotted out on you period? Then I would like to know how many have exploded into ball of fire?

 

My wheels regular rot out

In fairness he was pointing out I think the theoretical benefits, or those in different applications than a passenger car, not affirming the belief that it's a worthwhile practice.

The joke above about monster cable is very apropos.

 

Nitrogen filled tires are total BS and I am telling you this not because I love you or care about you but because I HATE bs scammer/marketers. Check your tire pressure every 3 months, if you give an F or when your car notifies you they are under-inflated. I check my about every 3 months, on average, with my own gauge. Don't trust the inflator at the gas station or car wash, they are off. Spend less than $10 on a good gauge with a deflator valve. I overfill at the imprecise inflators and air down with a good gauge. I run 40 to 45 psi as long as it doesn't exceed the max psi on the tire. I use to run higher but its a pretty rough ride.

 

42/40.........nitrogen or not.

 

1. Go get yourself some black stem caps, and replace the lime green ones that are currently installed. They don't work any better than the green ones do, but it will keep the casual observer from thinking that you got scammed.
2. Buy a decent tire gauge, if you don't already own one.
3. Check your tire pressure regularly...like when you check your oil level, or whatever interval works for you.
4. Repeat step #3.

Enjoy your new car!

 

Well, only if the atmosphere on the outside the tire is oxygen free as well.

So, pretty useful on those lunar shuttles.

 

As a chemist, I've heard all kinds of claims on this (go to a motorcycle forum and they will go into ridiculous details). All things considered, if you want to pay for it, fine, it won't hurt anything. The same can be said about the copper bracelets that golfer wear that supposedly harness their chi and make them sink putts. The absolute best thing you can do is put DRY air in your tires. Spend $20 on an attachment for your compressor and drain your compressor after you use it. AND, check your tires once a week. I do both and when I have had my tires changed after a few years, the interior was nice and pretty.

 

If you know of any unguarded bridges made of spider wire...

And it's oil we motorcyclists go nuts over. Go to a forum now and ask what's the best oil. In two hours it will be littered with broken bottle glass and spent casings.

 

Oh I know, motorcyclists are obsessive about every minutiae. You can get some excellent advice on tweaking a machine to perfection.

Doesn't change the science of reality though.

 

I was browsing a lot in Austin, Tx., yesterday and found the dealer had, in addition to the B.S. multi-hundred dollar add-on for 'lusterizing' the paint, a $99 addition for nitrogen in the tires!

Can you say, "No Thanks"?