Nitrogen in tires
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 55
From: Brentwood(Contra Costa County) CA
jserio: The air you and I breath is 78% nitrogen. There is no advantage in using pure nitrogen in our tires. Professional racing uses it for 2 reasons(that I know of):
1: Less pressure increase when the tires heat up under racing conditions
2: Pit crew safety....nitrogen tanks store the gas under pressures at or above 2000psi....if you tried to compress air to 2000psi the oxygen in the air would ignite and the tank would explode.
I just purchased an 04 ZO6 and the dealer tried to charge me $195 for nitrogen servicing of the tires. I basically came unglued and started to walk out after reading the charge in the contract they wanted me to sign. Only after waving this "service" fee did I move on with the deal.
I have two 42 cu ft nitrogen tanks that costs me about $18 each to fill.
N Dennis
1: Less pressure increase when the tires heat up under racing conditions
2: Pit crew safety....nitrogen tanks store the gas under pressures at or above 2000psi....if you tried to compress air to 2000psi the oxygen in the air would ignite and the tank would explode.
I just purchased an 04 ZO6 and the dealer tried to charge me $195 for nitrogen servicing of the tires. I basically came unglued and started to walk out after reading the charge in the contract they wanted me to sign. Only after waving this "service" fee did I move on with the deal.
I have two 42 cu ft nitrogen tanks that costs me about $18 each to fill.
N Dennis
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Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 307
Likes: 1
From: Saskatoon
Air explodes at 2000 psi? Come on now and think about it for a second. It will only explode if the vessel that contains the air can not support 2000psi (Scuba gear support pressures up to 4500psi). If it ruptures it will not result in an explosion because it is air, but the fact that it is under pressure. Nitrogen would do the same under such conditions. Nitrogen is a larger molecule than oxygen and as such will not pass through the matrix of the rubber as easily as the oxygen molecule, thereby maintaining the pressure in the tire longer. It also does not expand as much as air because of fluctuations in temperature. So when your tires are cold and at 30 psi, after driving on the highway and the tire warm up, they will be closer to 30 psi than a tire full of air. Moisture is another factor, I do not know a lot about this but most people are more concerned about maintaining the optimal tires pressure under different temperature conditions and therefore maximizing tire life. I believe where I am from, Nitrogen costs $30 to put in the tires, then $5 after to refill if you ever get a flat. Most shops offer this, it is not exotic by any means. That $195 charge is crazy, I would have walked out as well.
Last edited by Riley P; Sep 6, 2008 at 07:30 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Greenville South Carolina
Using dry nitrogen means you're getting only a tiny amount of moisture in your tires. Basically nothing in terms of moisture. You're not going to have anything about explosions, lol, that was a funny post. I am a chemical engineer by the way, hope I can help in any way related on these forums as the guys have helped me out in finding my first C5. 
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
The lowermoisture in Nitrogen is what reduces the pressure increase iwth heat. It also is better for the rubber and pressure sensors.
Costco uses only Nitrogen.. It's free.
If you can get it free it offers some benfits.
If you have to pay for it don't bother.
Costco uses only Nitrogen.. It's free.
If you can get it free it offers some benfits.
If you have to pay for it don't bother.
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the dealer tried to charge me $195 for nitrogen servicing of the tires. 
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2007
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Instructor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 149
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From: Twain Harte CA
For those of us who have compressors (the small Sears 2 or 3 gallon ones included!), we can improve the "quality" of the air with which we inflate our tires by putting a water separator and/or filter in the line between the compressor and the air hose. It may not be as good as using pure nitrogen, but it will reduce the moisture content in the tires.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 352
Likes: 93
From: USA
You could install a Air Dryer also into the system, As in a Refrigeration Dryer. They work very well at removing moisture from the compressed air. I used to use Nitrogen in my Motorcycle tires as you would get a big increase in Tire pressures after a long ride. Plus the added benefit of keeping the tire cooler also to some extent. I don't think it is a bad thing adding it, is it really necessary? maybe not but i won't hurt. I know they use in in Trailer tire and guys swear by it as they don't have blow outs now.
One thing that was brought up and has some merit is the wheel tire senors for pressure, As moisture could ruin them. But i think they wound have been designed to handle that?
Here is an example of a Dryer: http://www.zeks.com/Noncycle.htm
One thing you don't have to listen to is a Noisy compressor running when filling tires and other things, One standard nitrogen bottle will last a long time.
One thing that was brought up and has some merit is the wheel tire senors for pressure, As moisture could ruin them. But i think they wound have been designed to handle that?
Here is an example of a Dryer: http://www.zeks.com/Noncycle.htm
One thing you don't have to listen to is a Noisy compressor running when filling tires and other things, One standard nitrogen bottle will last a long time.
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locked due to previous threads about this topic going south.
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