Nitrogen filled tires...

[GeorgeG.]

What is the benefit of nitrogen filled tires? The wife's car can get free nitrogen from the dealer but I'm beginning to think it's over rated. I'm in the process of buying two tires from Discount Tire with the free air and I just don't know if taking it to the dealer for nitrogen is worth the hassle. I mean, we've been running free air for decades...what does nitrogen do different?

[Lone Star Performance]

Nitrogen is not supposed to deflate the tires with weather like air does.

[lowthreeohz]

Yeah, its more stable throughout temp ranges and I believe the molecules are larger so less susceptible to leaking

[helosailor]

It's great when you're at cruising altitude.

[Ruffdaddy]

Only worth it for a race car. The minor benefit you get for a road car is only a convenience thing...and going to a nitrogen fill station is pretty inconvenient. Its also gotta be dry or the benefits are nearly gone.

[BP]

78% of the atmosphere is nitrogen already. Pressure variations are normal and if your tires are leaking "regular air" it's because they have a problem and they'll also leak nitrogen. By that selling point eventually if it made a difference all the other gasses would leak and you'd have 100% nitrogen anyway without visiting a dealer.

[racrguy]

Only worth it for a race car. The minor benefit you get for a road car is only a convenience thing...and going to a nitrogen fill station is pretty inconvenient. Its also gotta be dry or the benefits are nearly gone.

78% of the atmosphere is nitrogen already. Pressure variations are normal and if your tires are leaking "regular air" it's because they have a problem and they'll also leak nitrogen. By that selling point eventually if it made a difference all the other gasses would leak and you'd have 100% nitrogen anyway without visiting a dealer.

Both of these. Even for a race car it isn't worth it unless you're on the ragged edge.

[svauto-erotic855]

There is supposed to be zero moisture in nitrogen vs the high moisture content in air coming from a normal compressor not equipped with a dryer. The moisture in the air inside of a tire raises the measured gauge pressure of the tire much more then dry air will. Basically it flattens the tires pressure curve across its normal temperature operating range. Dirt track racers see the largest benefits because of their tires large volume; check with Racrguy about how important tire pressure is to him.

Ninja edit: Racrguy; you posted before I finished typing and had a chance to read your post.

[Ruffdaddy]

78% of the atmosphere is nitrogen already. Pressure variations are normal and if your tires are leaking "regular air" it's because they have a problem and they'll also leak nitrogen. By that selling point eventually if it made a difference all the other gasses would leak and you'd have 100% nitrogen anyway without visiting a dealer.

All tires will lose small amounts of pressure from thermal cycling. Nitrogen is just slightly better, I would guess any real benefit is closely related to the tire being properly purged and dry.

[Ruffdaddy]

Both of these. Even for a race car it isn't worth it unless you're on the ragged edge.

Yes it is...it's easier to control getting your tires to temp without cooking them off after 1 lap. I'm also not talking dirt track.

[lincolnboy]

E=mc2

[svauto-erotic855]

E=mc2

That doen't apply in this case.

This equation does P x 1/V.

[racrguy]

Yes it is...it's easier to control getting your tires to temp without cooking them off after 1 lap. I'm also not talking dirt track.

I'm also not limiting my statement to dirt racing.

[racrguy]

There is supposed to be zero moisture in nitrogen vs the high moisture content in air coming from a normal compressor not equipped with a dryer. The moisture in the air inside of a tire raises the measured gauge pressure of the tire much more then dry air will. Basically it flattens the tires pressure curve across its normal temperature operating range. Dirt track racers see the largest benefits because of their tires large volume; check with Racrguy about how important tire pressure is to him.

Ninja edit: Racrguy; you posted before I finished typing and had a chance to read your post.

The pressures are important to us, but we run tire bleeders typically. The rules I'm under outlaw them, but most every other sprint car sanctioning body allows them, negating the need for nitrogen.

[slow99]

That doen't apply in this case.

This equation does P x 1/V.

=IF(LSAT>=172,Texas Wesleyan,Harvard)