sclaxton

I have had my car for a bout a month now and found that I lost a couple of pounds of pressure. I went back and asked the dealer if there was nitrogen in the tires or just Air. They told me it was just air and they would not put nitrogen in the run flats because it will mess with the TPMS.
I had cars before with nitrogen and TPMS, has anyone else heard of this or had issues by putting nitrogen in the run flat tires?( I have the original run flat tires still on the car).

Maslo

Nitrogen is inert, which would be much more beneficial to TPMS functionality than the Oxygen, other trace molecules, and moisture in air.

I'm staying out of any performance arguments with Nitrogen vs Air though.

Rooster OG

Thats one of the dumbest things I've heard on here. I'd go to a different dealership.

fltsfshr

You're almost there already. Watch your tire temp and pressures on your info screen. Let us know if you see any difference in what you see between the two.

fltsfshr

Widgeon5

Nitrogen is anything but inert. The Oklahoma City bombing was done with nitrate fertilizer. Having said that, it will have much less, if any, effect on rubber compared to the oxygen percentage in air.

JerryU

Hmm, dry Nitrogen worse than 78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen and 0.9% Argon and the next highest percentage gas CO2, is only 0.037% ? (Funny try to find that carbon dioxide number as a percentage and you have to search! That's all it is but many references don't want to show that small percentage! )

In fact depending on the humidity in the air and the compressor used, water vapor can be a significant percentage-just ask Drag Racers, especially those with NA engines, who measure grains of moisture since it reduces the needed oxygen percentage! Amazing what BS you can get from a dealer.

That all said Nitrogen in a car tire has no significant benefit. If running a fleet of 18 wheels where tire carcasses are retreaded and can last well over 100,000 miles it is worth tire life. Some race cars use cylinders of Nitrogen because they are easier to carry to the track than a compressor and the gas is dry.

sclaxton

The statement sounded stupid to me too at the time. Figured I would have them fill the tires to 35 (since they were warm at the time). I figured if I have this issue again, I will go back and revisit the discussion.

Widgeon5

For what it's worth, airlines use dry nitrogen in the tires of their jets. Not sure what their reasoning is, but they wouldn't be spending the money unless they perceived a benefit.




That all said Nitrogen in a car tire has no significant benefit. If running a fleet of 18 wheels where tire carcasses are retreaded and can last well over 100,000 miles it is worth tire life. Some race cars use cylinders of Nitrogen because they are easy to carry that a compressor and the gas is dry.

Steve_R

Nitrogen is used in aircraft tires because it is dry, not because it's nitrogen. At high altitude where air pressure is very low and below-freezing temps moisture can cause problems. Aircraft tires are also subjected to repeated and very fast changes in temperatures and air pressure during ascent and descent, which is not an issue with cars.

As others have said there is not enough upside to using nitrogen in car tires if you have to pay anything for it. It's a scam perpetuated by some auto dealers and many tire dealers.

OnPoint

I use a special blend in mine, exclusively running about 78% nitrogen.

And it's free.

alexsoo

If you have a Costco they will let you fill your tires up with nitrogen for free. I fill all my spares there for free.

mschuyler

Nitrogen = N = an inert gas, most common substance in the Universe
Nitrate = NO3 = a salt

Two different animals. Your tires won't blow up if you fill them with Nitrogen. Comparing Nitrogen gas to nitrate fertilizer is just silly.

JerryU

FWIW, here is another reason, follow the money.

The President of a gas apparatus mfg company told me some years ago about the device he sells to airlines. They fill the gas shock absorbers on the landing gear with high pressure Nitrogen. As I recall it's over 2000 psi. There are 5000 psi high pressure cylinders sold (rented) BUT when the gas pressure is under the required ~2000 psi (or whatever high pressure is required) the gas in the cylinder is useless for that purpose! Therefore rather than just return to the gas supply distributor to be filled with the higher pressure they use what is left to fill tires! Note, most high pressure gas cylinders have a maximum of 2500 psi, making them essentially useless for that application.

No doubt the low moisture content is a factor since the main pressure swings occur when the water vapor freezes into ice while in the cold air. Now for our Canadian Vette owners perhaps more of a benefit, eh!?

springer-

If I can't blow up my tires with Nitrogen why would I use it?

JerryU

Hmm, your comment provided a thought! For those always worried about a few pounds of weight, if you fill with Helium you'll reduce the amount of gas from ~6 pounds of air or Nitrogen in 4 tires at 35 psi to under a half pound. In addition, even at 35 psi the density is less than air so you'll get additional weight reduction from lift!

However be prepared to fill frequently since that small molecule permeates thru rubber rapidly! Even a pure Nitrogen fill will try to reach equilibrium with the outside air and the Oxygen and Water Vapor outside will do the same getting thru the tire wall to the inside! FWIW!

rmorin1249

Good one!

owc6

Well, technically, you can blow them up. You just fill and fill and fill and fill, and eventually they will go KABLOOEY!!!!

JonMN

What the REALLY mean is we don't feel like having a N2 tank around, and think it's kind of a waste anyway, but we need an excuse . . .

lancekl

That's the exact blend I use in my tires

spinkick

I use helium for lower unsprung weight.