Nitrogen in tires?

cranky18 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 05:19 PM

Did anyone get nitrogen in their tires as an option? It was listed on mine, but they did not charge me. It's supposed to increase the life of your tire and increase milage.

Guess I need a "Nitrogen Generator: now,

mole177 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 05:28 PM

bah... not that big of deal.

the air we breathe has 75% nitrogen anyway.

i'll keep sticking to free air.

if they decide to charge you for 100% nitrogen, say no!

cranky18 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mole177

bah... not that big of deal.

the air we breathe has 75% nitrogen anyway.

i'll keep sticking to free air.

if they decide to charge you for 100% nitrogen, say no!

Yes, and theoretically, the oxygen in the air would be more likely to leak out first, so the concentration of nitrogen should increase over time.

CBR2200 · #4 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 06:33 PM

Nitrogen is used primarily to reduce changes in tire pressure from ambient and tire temperature changes. The nitrogen has less moisture in it so it is less susceptible to expansion/contraction.

It will increase your tire life and mileage over someone who doesn't regularly check their tire pressure but if you properly maintain your tires then there is no increase in anything.

If its free then take it. If you have to pay for it, forget it.

Juliane · #5 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 07:56 PM

One of the dealers I frequented while looking for my Fit offered free nitrogen in the tires for the life of the car. Of course you had to go to this dealer, and probably if they needed to top up your tires they'd find some other thing to check and replace...I thought it was a stupid perk.

mahout · #6 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cranky18

Did anyone get nitrogen in their tires as an option? It was listed on mine, but they did not charge me. It's supposed to increase the life of your tire and increase milage.

Guess I need a "Nitrogen Generator: now,

The only advantage for nitrogen pressurizing your tires is slower leakdown and less pressure buildup from heat because the nitrogen molecule is much larger than the oxygen molecule. Air is 80% nitrogen. For the street nitrogen doesn't have much use.

FiveFreshFish · #7 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 09:53 PM

Good to have in the garage.

mole177 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FiveFreshFish

Good to have in the garage.

Helium??????

Virtual · #9 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 11:04 PM

If they put nitrogen in the tires, who would check if it actually was so?

pinballlooking · #10 (**permalink**) 10-02-2008, 11:16 PM

The dealer put nitrogen in my tires and a lifetime power train warranty no extra cost. I think it might ride rougher.

niko3257 · #11 (**permalink**) 10-03-2008, 02:07 AM

that stuff is a bunch of bull.
i would never get it. waste of time and money.
and the tires will never be 100% nitrogen.

now if we are talking Helium. then give me some.
other wise forget it.

lostfit · #12 (**permalink**) 10-03-2008, 11:03 AM

helium

Mr. Moose · #13 (**permalink**) 10-03-2008, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mole177

Helium??????

It says Nitrogen on the cylinder, so I'll assume that it's filled with Nitrogen.

HONDAMATIC · #14 (**permalink**) 10-04-2008, 01:00 AM

theres something about it in the new issue of sport compact car. read it and you can decide

MudPuppy · #15 (**permalink**) 10-04-2008, 01:22 AM

When I spoke with the Honda dealer down the street, he had already agreed to waive the $185 "appearance package," but I was going to come in to discuss my concern over the $499 "customer service fee."

When he showed me the car he pointed out that there were blue caps on the tires' air nozzle thingies. This, he informed me, meant that there was a nitrogen tire option inadvertantly added to the car at a value of $279 (perhaps a bit different, but definitely in the $200's). I guess this was his bid to get me to purchase the car at the inflated price since I was getting such a deal on the waived appearance package, now worth ~$400+ due to their error.

I was still insistant that they lower their fee but they wouldn't budge so I walked. Managed to find the same car for $450 less at another dealer. Alas, without the nitrogen. I still don't know too much about the true value of the nitrogen but for some reason, I'm not regretting my decision to keep the cash instead.

martymcfly · #16 (**permalink**) 10-04-2008, 02:29 AM

Costco switched to 100% Nitrogen a year back. All tires from them are filled with Nitrogen; there is no other option. The valve cap color changed to light green to indicate that it is Nitrogen filled tire.

What I don't understand is that I don't know how to keep it 100% Nitrogen when I need to refill. Maybe it is a more of a marketing gimme.

Jimmy101 · #17 (**permalink**) 10-04-2008, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martymcfly

Costco switched to 100% Nitrogen a year back. All tires from them are filled with Nitrogen; there is no other option. The valve cap color changed to light green to indicate that it is Nitrogen filled tire.

What I don't understand is that I don't know how to keep it 100% Nitrogen when I need to refill. Maybe it is a more of a marketing gimme.

Costco will give you free refills.

martymcfly · #18 (**permalink**) 10-04-2008, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimmy101

Costco will give you free refills.

Yeah, but I don't want to drop off the car and wait at Costco to do that while I can't do that at home or stop by at the gas station.

Flyboybob · #19 (**permalink**) 10-04-2008, 06:50 PM

All aviation tires, and struts are filled with nitrogen for all of the reasons given above. Of course you can add air if the tire pressure gets low. It won't hurt a thing.

cranky18 · #20 (**permalink**) 10-04-2008, 07:38 PM

Well, at least you get these cool valvestems. When I go to the dealer I am going to ask about free nitrogen.
We have argon at work, I wonder what that will do