Nitrogen in Tires
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 220
Likes: 1
Nitrogen in Tires
A friend of mine said in one of their vehicles they put nitrogen in all the tires (non-Corvette car). The pressure stayed constant at the same psi in hot or cold, driving or sitting still unlike air which fluxuates when driving and sitting in hot and cold weather. Is there any truth to this? Can I use nitrogen in my tires for my C5 instead of air and will it stay constant as I was told and if so will it harm my tps?
Many thanks,
Bill
Many thanks,
Bill
Racer
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 412
Likes: 1
From: CT
I've heard that nitrogen is less likely to leak out of the tires (nitrogen atoms are larger than oxygen atoms) and won't promote corrosion like air which contains oxygen. Both of these things make sense to me.
I've never heard that the tire pressure won't fluctuate. I'd have to think about that one for a while... but I don't immediately see why that would be. The heat generated when driving is what causes the gas to expand and the pressure to increase. I don't know if Nitrogen expands more or less than "regular" air.
I've never heard that the tire pressure won't fluctuate. I'd have to think about that one for a while... but I don't immediately see why that would be. The heat generated when driving is what causes the gas to expand and the pressure to increase. I don't know if Nitrogen expands more or less than "regular" air.
Last edited by brucemoose2; Oct 6, 2006 at 10:40 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,992
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From: Pleasanton CA
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12, '14-'17,'21, '25
I just had my run flats replaced with GS-D3's and they "supposedly" put nitrogen in them. Just like with the run flats the new tires gain 2-3 psi on a highway run according to the dic per the tire pressure sensors
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 30
From: San Rafael CA
Racers use Nitrogen mainly because they buy Industrial Nitrogen in cylinders which is VERY dry (almost zero water in it). Regular air that we breath is about 78 percent Nitrogen, but it also has a varying water content. Some days are humid, some days are dry. The water in the air changes the amount of expansion of the gas in the tires. When you're a NASCAR crew chief calculating a 1/2 pound change, you don't want the added variable of the water content of the air.
ANY gas expands when heated, and contracts when cooled .... remember PV=nRT from Chemistry class kids ??
ANY gas expands when heated, and contracts when cooled .... remember PV=nRT from Chemistry class kids ??
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
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From: Buy USA products! Check the label! Employ Americans
It works for road racers. Problem is I doubt at Costco they fill and purge the tire 3-4 times to get most of the air out. I am betting they give it one fill and out the door you go with a load of air still inside. instead of going up 8-9 lbs in pressure they will move a couple of pounds or less. You can rent a huge cylinder for about 25 per year from a welding supply house I have a small one buy was leary taking it to the track with DOT regulations. I was going to rent the big one and have it at the house and smaller one at track to ajust pressure or fill a tire there if required.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 993
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From: PA
Originally Posted by brucemoose2
I've heard that nitrogen is less likely to leak out of the tires (nitrogen atoms are larger than oxygen atoms) and won't promote corrosion like air which contains oxygen. Both of these things make sense to me.
I've never heard that the tire pressure won't fluctuate. I'd have to think about that one for a while... but I don't immediately see why that would be. The heat generated when driving is what causes the gas to expand and the pressure to increase. I don't know if Nitrogen expands more or less than "regular" air.
I've never heard that the tire pressure won't fluctuate. I'd have to think about that one for a while... but I don't immediately see why that would be. The heat generated when driving is what causes the gas to expand and the pressure to increase. I don't know if Nitrogen expands more or less than "regular" air.
You guys are killing me!!The difference in 'size' between O and N is the size of 1 proton, or 1/1800 the size of an electron, all to minute to promote less 'leaking'. And Nitrogen is inert, so you're right there, it won't promote oxidation (rust / corrosion) because there is no O2 available for chemical oxidation.
DRY N2 will expand less in a tire than atmospheric air due to less moisture. H2O molecules are a major reason for tire pressure fluctuation, not the sole, but a major.
So, should you use N2 or 'air' to fill your tires? If you have access to DRY N2 and you don't mind the couple of cents extra, go for it! But like a lot of things we do to our Vettes, if you are not tracking the car, the benefit is fairly insignificant.
As always, if it feels good, do it. N2 will not promote tire rubber life, get extra mpg, etc. It only offers pressure stability under high heat loads.
Now if you use Helium...
Last edited by Silver98; Oct 7, 2006 at 08:09 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,762
Likes: 2
From: Murphy TX
AGAIN?! How many times does this come up per month?!
Oxidation: tires are oxidizing from the outside regardless of what you put in them
Rust: Al wheels, I wouldn't worry
Expansion: it's all about the water. Air is 79% N2 already. Dry "air" would achieve the same effect.
Diffusion rates through Rubber or Al: http://www.google.com - show me data and I'll believe. Even Air Liquide's site has anectode and no data (looked this up looooong ago)
Oxidation: tires are oxidizing from the outside regardless of what you put in them
Rust: Al wheels, I wouldn't worry
Expansion: it's all about the water. Air is 79% N2 already. Dry "air" would achieve the same effect.
Diffusion rates through Rubber or Al: http://www.google.com - show me data and I'll believe. Even Air Liquide's site has anectode and no data (looked this up looooong ago)
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 4
From: Slidell La
Originally Posted by dndrsn
You are breathing 75% nitrogen right now.
WARNING WE ARE BREATHING NITROGENMany people are going for nitrogen in your tires. If you want to go ahead won't hurt anything but your wallet.
If you don't just check your tires every 90 days or so,, which really isn't a bad thing to do anyway. 99 Nassau Blue
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,837
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From: . Kona, HI. Orem, UT. PSL, FL
Originally Posted by David426
I fill mine with helium. It takes about 300 lbs off the total weight of the car
and combined with the "performance" hood seal its enough to run 11's in an otherwise stock coupe
Pro
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 664
Likes: 24
From: Farmingville NY
I purchased tires for my Blazer over a year ago at COSTCO. Had nitrogen in the tires have not replaced the air in the tires since then. I was losing more air checking them, thru several seasons so just stopped, and the pressure never changed hot or cold weather.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 8,506
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From: West Michigan crew Mich
CI 7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07-'08 & '12
Originally Posted by David426
I fill mine with helium. It takes about 300 lbs off the total weight of the car
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,474
Likes: 4
From: Tracy CA
even more dangerous is dihydrogen monoxide! It can be found in your system at this very moment! For more info see http://www.dhmo.org/
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,284
Likes: 3
From: Southwest Florida
I produce hydrogen by dropping aluminum foil into muriatic acid and then bubbling the gases through a water filter. Hydrogen in the tires can make for an interesting day at the track if you should heat the tires up a bit too much. 
Mike
Mike