Nitrogen for my tires. Good idea or snake oil?
#3
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?
Actually Cecil has a few benefits...
The Straight Dope: Is it better to fill your tires with nitrogen instead of air?
#10
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.)
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.)
Last edited by Scratch&Dent; 07-29-2009 at 03:25 PM. Reason: Added apostrophe
#11
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.
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.
#13
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!
#15
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.
#19
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.