Tire Trivia: Nitrogen in tires?
07-06-2012, 01:33 PM
#1
Melting Slicks
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Tire Trivia: Nitrogen in tires?
Getting new tires today and putting in Nitrogen. Tire shop said less of a swing with pressures, any thoughts? have you used it? thnx.
Am thinking maybe the tire warm up might be a little quicker.
Am thinking maybe the tire warm up might be a little quicker.
07-06-2012, 01:48 PM
#3
Most tire shops (at least around here) put in nitrogen inflation anyway free of charge, when you buy new tires from them. It seems that nitrogen does last longer as it doesn't expand and contract as much as regular air.
07-06-2012, 01:54 PM
#4
Team Owner
Oh, wow, have we ever discussed this before? 
1. Most places charge for nitrogen if you need more.
2. Nitrogen is not that easy to find - not every corner service station has it.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...-nitrogen.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...for-tires.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...-in-tires.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...our-tires.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...eir-tires.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2107673
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2104186
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2043592
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...light=nitrogen
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...light=nitrogen
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...light=nitrogen
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...light=nitrogen
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...light=nitrogen
1. Most places charge for nitrogen if you need more.
2. Nitrogen is not that easy to find - not every corner service station has it.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...-nitrogen.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...for-tires.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...-in-tires.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...our-tires.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...eir-tires.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2107673
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2104186
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2043592
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...light=nitrogen
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...light=nitrogen
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...light=nitrogen
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...light=nitrogen
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...light=nitrogen
07-06-2012, 01:57 PM
#5
The Consigliere
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The answer to your question is yes. Largely due to fact that Nitrogen is dryer, and less moisture has a smaller pressure swing on temp differences.
Whether it's worth it to you to get it if you have to pay for it is your call.
07-06-2012, 02:34 PM
#6
Le Mans Master
Yes nitrogen molecules are larger the oxygen molecule.
So, yes less slow leakage.
Discussion link http://www.getnitrogen.org/pdf/graham.pdf
Nitrogen contains less H2O molecules.
Less water in the nitro gas fill system than an air compressor.
So yes less swing on temperature.
One must purge the old air out of a tire before filling a tire w/ nitro to get the benefit. Most shops do not do that, either vacuum out the OEM (ya OEM) air or drain and refill w/ nitro multiple times.
Some say nitro degrades rubber slower than regular air.
If for free, why not?
If for cost, benefit is negligible IMHO.
Don't think warm up time is quicker w/ nitro.
So, yes less slow leakage.
Discussion link http://www.getnitrogen.org/pdf/graham.pdf
Nitrogen contains less H2O molecules.
Less water in the nitro gas fill system than an air compressor.
So yes less swing on temperature.
One must purge the old air out of a tire before filling a tire w/ nitro to get the benefit. Most shops do not do that, either vacuum out the OEM (ya OEM) air or drain and refill w/ nitro multiple times.
Some say nitro degrades rubber slower than regular air.
If for free, why not?
If for cost, benefit is negligible IMHO.
Don't think warm up time is quicker w/ nitro.
Last edited by Kenny94945; 07-06-2012 at 09:18 PM. Reason: Spelling & Link
07-06-2012, 02:41 PM
#7
Melting Slicks
AGAIN???? It's like selling ice to eskimos, no advantage whatsoever regardless of what anyone says. Read up on it, the air we breath is 75% nitrogen ... h-e-l-l-o, earth to moon base ...
07-06-2012, 02:43 PM
#8
Melting Slicks
Yes nitrogen molecules are larger the oxygen molecule.
So, less slow leakage.
Nitrogen contains less H2O molecules.
So let less swing on temperature.
One must purge the old air out of a tire before filling a tire w/ nitro to get the benefit. Most shops do not do that, either vacuum out the OEM (ya OEM) air or drain and refill w/ nitro multiple times.
Some say nitro degrades rubber slower than regular air.
If for free, why not?
If for cost, benefit is negligable IMHO.
Don't think warm up time is quicker w/ nitro.
So, less slow leakage.
Nitrogen contains less H2O molecules.
So let less swing on temperature.
One must purge the old air out of a tire before filling a tire w/ nitro to get the benefit. Most shops do not do that, either vacuum out the OEM (ya OEM) air or drain and refill w/ nitro multiple times.
Some say nitro degrades rubber slower than regular air.
If for free, why not?
If for cost, benefit is negligable IMHO.
Don't think warm up time is quicker w/ nitro.
That pretty much covers it. FYI, the stuff is free at Costco if you are a member. They purged my OEM C6 tires and replaced with nitrogen, and give me regular topoffs. Free.
07-06-2012, 02:48 PM
#9
Burning Brakes
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07-06-2012, 02:48 PM
#10
Melting Slicks
to the OP - how about testing it for us -- I recently did a long road trip and set the cold temps at 32f/30r and they leveled off at 37/35 after driving a about 50 miles and staying there for 600 miles on a hot day (Firestone WideOval RFT)... post your pressures with Nitrogen if you get a chance ...it would be interesting to see the comparison in pressure gain.
07-06-2012, 03:29 PM
#13
Team Owner
Oh, wow, have we ever discussed this before?
1. Most places charge for nitrogen if you need more.
2. Nitrogen is not that easy to find - not every corner service station has it.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...-nitrogen.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...for-tires.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...-in-tires.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...our-tires.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...eir-tires.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2107673
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2104186
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2043592
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...light=nitrogen
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...light=nitrogen
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...light=nitrogen
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...light=nitrogen
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...light=nitrogen
1. Most places charge for nitrogen if you need more.
2. Nitrogen is not that easy to find - not every corner service station has it.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...-nitrogen.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...for-tires.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...-in-tires.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...our-tires.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-c...eir-tires.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2107673
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2104186
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2043592
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...light=nitrogen
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...light=nitrogen
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...light=nitrogen
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...light=nitrogen
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...light=nitrogen
07-06-2012, 03:32 PM
#14
☠☣☢ Semper Ebrius ☢☣☠
I've actually posted about this before:
First, an N2 molecule is almost exactly the same size as an O2 molecule, at ~300 picometers versus ~292 picometers in length (if you simply calculate based on covalent radii.) If you use the covalent radius for N2 with a triple bond, then you wind up with a length of about 216 picometers, and with a covalent radius for O2 with a double bond, you wind up with a length of about 228 picometers, meaning that O2 is actually larger.
Somehow I doubt that a mounted tire has a problem with one leaking out but not the other.
N2 is used in aviation, but that's because aircraft tires encounter much greater changes in temperature and pressure.
Water vapor in your tire can result in larger pressure fluctuations as it heats up, but that's easily counteracted by simply filling your tire up with dry air. As any A/C unit dries the air, if you find yourself in a humid environment and care that much, simply air up your tire inside your house, or with your air compressor drawing air from inside your car while the A/C is running and the air is dry.
Somehow I doubt that a mounted tire has a problem with one leaking out but not the other.
N2 is used in aviation, but that's because aircraft tires encounter much greater changes in temperature and pressure.
Water vapor in your tire can result in larger pressure fluctuations as it heats up, but that's easily counteracted by simply filling your tire up with dry air. As any A/C unit dries the air, if you find yourself in a humid environment and care that much, simply air up your tire inside your house, or with your air compressor drawing air from inside your car while the A/C is running and the air is dry.
07-06-2012, 04:02 PM
#15
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To echo everyone else here, as long as you are aware that the earth's atmosphere is 78.09% nitrogen to begin with, you have to decide if the extra 20% is worth it.
07-06-2012, 04:06 PM
#16
Le Mans Master
As mentioned, the air we breath is almost 80% nitrogen anyway, but can see the moisture free advantages. While generally not much a problem, to much moisture tends to corrode insides of wheels, and freeze valve stems in the winter. Believe it or not, bottled dry nitrogen, may actually be cheaper for the servicing shop, as a well set up/maintained dry compressed air system, isn't exactly cheap.
07-06-2012, 04:10 PM
#17
Team Owner
07-06-2012, 04:11 PM
#18
The Consigliere
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07-06-2012, 04:30 PM
#19
Safety Car
I am constantly amazed that people believe nitrogen is somehow immune from the physics of the ideal gas law.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gas_laws
Given a constant volume, the pressure of the gas is proportional to the absolute temperature. Doesn't matter if it's N2, O2, or a mix like ambient air.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gas_laws
Given a constant volume, the pressure of the gas is proportional to the absolute temperature. Doesn't matter if it's N2, O2, or a mix like ambient air.
07-06-2012, 04:33 PM
#20
Team Owner
I have no problems when I had tires from Costco of getting Nitrogen put in as I live in between two Costcos. But that is sort of like trying to buy a Corvette size tire off the shelf as the tires stores have to order those sizes as they don't keep em in stock.