Nitrogen vs Air

Lost.Solitaire · Oct 16, 2009, 11:28 PM

So I've been reading up on some facts about having Nitrogen in your tires vs air. From what I understand the TPMS will not act up during colder weather (which is a concern for Vancouver, but not as great of a concern compared to Calgary or a snowier area); also the Nitrogen filled tire will not lose pressure as fast as an Air filled tire because Nitrogen molecules (sp) are bigger.

With that in mind, for an average driver is it worth the swtich?
Im highly considering it however I have a few questions...

I've heard that the on average you can save $300 dollars on gas because of the benifits nitrogen can have on your mileage... is this true? Has anyone noticed or experienced this?

Also is the Mitsubishi dealership the best place to go to do this? Or are there more cost effective places? I spoke to Mitsubishi breifly on the phone, didnt really get a price point but from what I understand there is an option of getting it with a one year warrenty in where if you get a nail in your tire, or any rock puncture, as well as if by some chance you bend your wheel on a pothole they can fix or replace the damage. Does this seem reasonable?

Feedback please!

jer301 · Oct 17, 2009, 08:44 AM

I won't say it is a bad idea, but think about this. Every three to four days I check my tire pressure and adjust it accordingly (no more than 5 min to do). You can buy a good enough portable air compressor at the autoparts store or shopping mart for $50-$150 dollars and it will pay for itself. I think in the long run good tire maintenance will save you the gas + the cost of the nitrogen. If nitrogen will prevent TPMS from acting up then that may be a benefit, but I would probably just deal with the annoying alarm in the winter than pay to have nitrogen put in my tires.

mguerrero · Oct 22, 2009, 06:59 PM

Seems pretty good to me

03chi-town0Z · Oct 22, 2009, 09:37 PM

go to an auto parts store and pick up a 2 dollar tire gauge at the front counter by the register and keep it in your glove box. check your pressures every time you get gas and if they are low, spend the 25 cents or whatever (some stations have free air for customers) and adjust the pressures accordingly. the majority of the benefits you would receive from the nitrogen would then become irrelevant. with the whole tpms thing, just keep your tires at 35 psi and you will not have any low tire issues unless you experience a 60 degree drop in temperature (roughly 1 psi drop per 10 degrees F). sorry for my american use of farenheit, but you should get the general idea

xRoguex · Oct 22, 2009, 11:34 PM

Simply put - nitrogen does exactly what it says it does. It even changes the ride. If they are inflated properly.

You need to remove the valve core and put the core on the lowest point. Allow ALL air to be removed from the tire. Now begin filling the tire with nitrogen. after about 15 psi. Stop. and remove the chuck blowing all the nitrogen back out - and the remaining air.

Just before it stops hissing at you - reinstall core and inflate to intended pressure.

Never check tires again.. haha. I checked mine ONCE in 12 months. They lost 2 psi.

I consider it a blessing. I got improved gas mileage and MUCH better wear on tires..

Sorry for the crummy post - i am in a hurry and i just figured youd be interested in some quick details now. I can reply back later with more info and answer questions later.

mguerrero · Oct 23, 2009, 05:48 AM

Wow thats awesome i didnt know it would give you those results.

Lost.Solitaire · Oct 24, 2009, 11:07 AM

i have a tire pressure gauge pen,i guess ill brea it out a bit more see how that goes. However it sounds like a lot less hassel to use nitrogen.

Ive got decisons to make.

Thanks for all your help!

dxbtune · Oct 24, 2009, 11:17 AM

Whoever tracks cars prefer nitrogen so they can set the car to the preferred pressure.
Nitrogen doesn't expand like air at high temperatures theoretically.
Go round a track a few times and see a difference of like 5 psi and on nitrogen the changes are next to none.

MasterAK · Oct 24, 2009, 04:54 PM

It's not worth it on a daily driven car. However, I can see the appeal on a race car where little things matter. Just check the tire pressure periodically and adjust if needed.
PROTIP: Air is 70% nitrogen.

xRoguex · Oct 24, 2009, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MasterAK

PROTIP: Air is 70% nitrogen.

This is true. However that other 30% is what makes the difference between my tires changing pressure during 50 degree changes in temp .. and not changing at all.

All of my tires are filled with nitrogen. I get them checked ever 6 or so months at the shop that filled them - and I would guess about every other or every 3rd visit.. do they add any...

Mitsutech56 · Oct 24, 2009, 07:28 PM

We put nitrogen in every new car on our dealerships lot. When ever a customer asks me about nitrogen I explain what the real benefit is. Don't think of it as adding nitrogen. Think of it as removing oxygen and moisture. We vacuum the tires which actually boils the moisture out. Then we pump in the nitrogen. The biggest benefit is the lack of oxygen. No oxygen = no oxidation (internal tire dry rot)= longer tire life.

I run it in my tires. I feel the difference in ride quality.

RobinHood · Nov 2, 2009, 10:02 AM

On my truck I have nitrogen. I lose about a psi a month, so roughly the same as air. The only reason I have nitrogen is because I get it free from work...