Over $200 ??? That's insane!

 

LOL - I'm gonna put acetelene in mine, should make for some explosive performance.

On a lighter (pun intended) note, I noticed my valve stem caps say "Nitrogen N2" on them. All were filled to 'zackly 34 psi. I didn't pay for this, nor did they mention it during the close. (I also got a buncha stuff like a sport grill, carpet mats, cargo mat and organizer for free, by accident I think).

I wouldn't have paid for nitrogen, I don't run track or autocross, so the performance benefits in my case are dubious, at best.

 

They didn't charge me anything. The salesman kind of mentioned it as we were getting ready to leave with the car.

 

Here's the dirty on nitrogen in the tires. If it's free, it's definitely worth it. Now I'm glad I have my Costco membership.

 

haha this made me think of top gear
i was watching one and the new Ferrari put nitrogen in the tires

 

Okay, now that my TPMS light has gone off and I need to put some kind of gas in my tire(s), there are no tire dealers in my vicinity that have nitrogen.

I am glad I did not pay any extra for this. It's much easier with air.

 

One thing the article did not mention is that the air pumped into a tire contains a certain amount of water vapor directly related to the humidity level. Moisture in the tires can promote corrosion causing rim sealing problems. Another plus for nitrogen.

 

Nitrogen has a few nice characteristics. Airplanes as well as race teams have used nitrogen for years.

The #1 benefit is the best benefit by far though.

#1. Nitrogen filled tires won't see the increase in psi as the tire heats that compressed air does, this means you don't have to estimate out as much for hot temps vs cold temps. (Some rise will occur but its MUCH less)

#2. The rubber in the tires won't oxidize being that the oxygen has been removed from the equation, the air is also cleaner as it's been filtered and won't have moisture and such which can damage tires and rims to at least some degree.

#3 Tires don't have to be refilled as often. (I'm assuming this is because nitrogen is by nature a larger molecule and can't escape as easily through rubber which is somewhat porous) Seems to me that they leak about 60% less (don't quote me here).

#4 MPG, however this claim is made only assuming that a person doesn't refill a typical tire often enough and it runs low where a Nitrogen tire wouldn't have gone low as quick.

 

^^^ Good point on #2. Didn't even think about rubber oxidation.

 

Is this a problem?

 

I think its effects are negligible. It won't make any difference by the time you replace your tires.

On the other hand, the outside of the tires sees way more oxidation (and UV degradation).

 

I got lucky, there was a car wash around the corner from work that topped them off with nitrogen for free.

 

Nice. Some gas stations here are starting to charge 50¢ for air... coin-op air pump that runs on a timer.

 

SO...my question becomes this....if my car came w/ nitrogen in the tires and they lower a few psi's(they have).....can I top it off with regular air or must it be helium only??

I wished we had a Costco around here...Sam's club/Wal-mart suck!

 

No Problem! You dont have 100% nitrogen anyway unless they were filled in a vacuum chamber or outer space.

Lets say real world your nitrogen fill gave you 95% nitrogen.
Topping up a few pounds with a regular compressor MAY drop your nitrogen down to 94%....so no big deal in any way.

 

i use nitrogen, and I believe in its benefits. I also get it for free at my shop.

 

hydrogen ftw my car feels so much liughter

 

we could just experiment with a plethora of gases

however, i think we'd wanna stick with molecules bigger than oxygen.
i think that eliminates argon...

gaseous iodine maybe?