Just wandering if anyone is using nitrogen to air up your tires. I know a guy who said he gained 2 mpg doing this, plus the tire wear is supposed to be better.

 

what would that do exactly

 

I'm really not sure. A local tire shop is charging $30.00 per tire to have this done. I don't understand how it would increase mileage.

 

Gained 2mpg eh? Maybe because he was running on low tires before.. in which case adding any air to the tires would have given him 2mpg. Otherwise he's imagining it.

Plain ol air is already 78% nitrogen.

Using pure nitrogen in tires is mainly to keep moisture out, and nitrogen is more stable across a wider temperature range. So the tires don't 'grow' as much when they heat up. This is why racecars use it.. if they set a tire at a certain pressure, they want it to stay as close to that as possible.

I have also heard that nitrogen molecules are larger, so tires hold pressure longer. BUt that's no excuse not to check your tire pressure.

Unless you have a nitrogen tank at home, it's most likely more bother than it's worth to only have a tire shop top off your tires. I've even heard of some people PAYING to have tire shop 'change the air' in their tires. That's just silly. If the tire shop fills up your new tires with nitrogen, and it's not problem to have them top them off once in a while, then great, you'll get a few benefits, and maybe a few extra miles out of your tires.

 

Here is a link that gives some reasons for using nitrogen in your tires.

http://www.eescc.org/Forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=219

 

It can't hurt to try it if it is free at Costco. Let all try it and do a mileage check to see if it works. I can see why aircraft would use it because they could take off from Phoenix at 115% and land in Iceland at 40%. It would help maintain tire pressure.

 

I see some benefits from nitrogen but not MPG. If your tires are properly inflated if does not matter if it is nitrogen or good ole' air from my compressor!!

 

Had it done a while back. Only cost me $30.00 for all 6 tires. Observations:

No pressure loss in over 3 months of running.

Other than that I can't say much more. My mileage has been consistantly good, ever before the Nitrogen. I run 75 psi in the front, 70 rear. My fiver has a pin weight of about 3k lbs.

This is what the shop told me:

Nitrogen = no mosture, which ldecreases corrosion, and stabilizes tire pressures in hot conditions
Nitrogen molecules are smaller than Oxygen, so they tend to not be able to pass through rubber, so pressures are more consistant.

 

I believe it is that the nitrogen molecules are larger than oxygen...

 

I stand corrected... Nitrogen = larger molecules...

 

Im going with Helium. I should get at least 30mpg with a lighter truck....ah yea......

Folks the military uses nit for aircraft tires because Nitrogen is an Inert Gas. Nit will do nothing for your mileage.

 

Propane works good too

I change the pressure in my tires too much to pay for Nitrogen. I keep the rears at 40psi unloaded but up it to 50psi when towing. I used to keep the rears up at 50 but the tires were wearing more in the center.

 

As stated earlier the reasons nitrogen are used are mostly beneficial in racing situations.

And the main reason is becuase it's DRY. Most compressors add moisture and that will affect pressure. This is compounded in humid environments.

Any gas that is dry would have the same effect.

 

I use it. I have had my truck done. The main reason is because of heat. Oxygen molecules will more easily get excited when hot causing the pressure to rise. Works great if you pull heavy in the heat and worth it. Ever notice the alligators on the road in the summer months. 18 wheelers have a heck of a time keeping tires on their trucks in the summer around here. Do what you want but I like it. Costed me $25.

 

Here's a good website


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitroge...n_applications

but to the main point of all this,...your run of the mill family truck is not going to get better fuel mileage, IMHO