Nitrogen for my tires. Good idea or snake oil?

[largeorangedrink]

I plan to run 40psi in the tires of our new fit. Would it be worth the price to put nitrogen in them or is this service just bullcaca.

[IBJanky]

I just put whatever air is most convenient.

myke

[jzerocsk]

Unless by "new fit" you mean "new commercial airplane," there's little benefit to paying for extracted nitrogen when air is free.

Actually Cecil has a few benefits...
The Straight Dope: Is it better to fill your tires with nitrogen instead of air?

[spreadhead]

I use an 80% nitrogen mixture in my tires. It's called compressed air.

[largeorangedrink]

Thank you for the quick response. So far I take it the answer is no.

[stevet47]

Originally Posted by spreadhead

I use an 80% nitrogen mixture in my tires. It's called compressed air.

Exactly, most people forget this fact.

[niko3257]

don't even bother it's a complete waste.

[Ein]

Only if it's free and have easy access to.

[BakedCookies]

complete snake oil.

[Scratch&Dent]

Actually, it's not completely worthless. The real benefits of filling with pure N2 are that the gas is 100% humidity-free, and that it's oxygen-free. Water and oxygen corrode anything they can. You usually won't develop a puddle inside right away, but filling with humid air every single time, you might get a good bit of water in there after a year or so.

Now, tires and rims usually don't mind water and oxygen, but the little bit of corrosion that does happen can sometimes lead to developing leaks sooner than normal. Also, TPMS sensors are not the kind of thing that likes sitting in water.

So, to summarize: If you live in a dry area, the biggest reason for nitrogen fill-ups doesn't apply to you. If you live in a humid area, the biggest factor is how much extra it costs for N2. (I can get N2 fill-ups for free, or nearly so, at Costco.)

[kenchan]

high perf cars use nitrogen as the expansion contraction ratio is lower vs regular air.

but on a car like ours, just use regular air and just keep checking tire pressure once every 2-3wks. you can visually check every morning too before leaving for work.

[Black3sr]

I have the wife inflate mine.

[Texas Coyote]

Originally Posted by Black3sr

I have the wife inflate mine.

You old dirty dog.... In one of your post you said your girlfriend wanted to know why you were driving like an old man.... BUSTED!

[Black3sr]

Originally Posted by Texas Coyote

You old dirty dog.... In one of your post you said your girlfriend wanted to know why you were driving like an old man.... BUSTED!

You are mistaken - The GF is too ugly to put in the Fit.

[Texas Coyote]

You need to train your girlfriend where to place her ugly old head where it isn't seen by anyone.... I even teach the pretty ones that, if they don't already know..... Oh yeah, board track racing bicycles run over 140 PSI of helium in their tires but it is able to seep through the rubber and leaks out pretty quick.

[Black3sr]

That was in the good old days in the Plymouth torpedo back. Back seat was like a chesterfield.

[SportMTNavi]

We use nitrogen in the airplanes because at altitude the moisture in the tire will definitely freeze. Then when you land on it, you have shattered ice in the tire.

In the car, no problem. Snake oil.

Cheers.

[largeorangedrink]

'72 Olds Cutlass coupe, 350 Rocket with A/T and bench seats for me. Hijack away guys, I'm along for the ride.

[rosswond]

Originally Posted by kenchan

high perf cars use nitrogen as the expansion contraction ratio is lower vs regular air.

Only marginally true, and related to the presence of water vapour.

PV=nRT is the same law for all gases.

The water vapour will condense and/or freeze if it gets cold enough. This will never be an issue in a car tyre, especially if you fill your tyres when they are cold . This is only a problem in an airplane tyre which goes through extremes of temperature and pressure, and only gets used briefly after a long period at freezing temperatures. In your car, just use air.

[Mr. Reliability]

Originally Posted by rosswond

PV=nRT is the same law for all gases.

PV=nRT is the same law for all ideal gases. Whether a gas can be treated as ideal is issue, and humidity does affect that.