N2 or not for tires?

[Stuck4ger]

Nitrogen is a real benefit for tires, it's not a gimmick, the only real question remaining; "Is it worth the time and money to go out of your way to use it?".

I don't use it, so that tells you that it's not worth it for me.

And the benefit for tires is what exactly? Reduces the chances of:
1. Corrosion of the inner wheel surface
2. Oxidation of the tire rubber
3. Excessive PSI swing due to tire heating up at highway speeds?
4. An overheated brake causing a fire and an explosion that destroyed the vehicle?
5. What else?

I’ve never been told any of the above happened on any of the vehicles that I drive, so I don’t consider it something to worry about. I do consider dry nitrogen important in the tires of the high speed aircraft that I’ve flown.

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[TyPope]

Should I use N2 at Costco for tires?

Air is already 78% N2. All you are doing is replacing the 22% with N2. If you think that only the N2 will remain in the tires, wait until they are down 11 pounds of pressure (about 22%) and then fill them with Air again. Then, you'll have a tire that is 78% full of N2. fill it up with more air that is also 78% N2 which.... 79% + 17% = 96% N2.

Save your money. Get 96% free N2 by simply filling your tires one additional time after the oxygen leaves.

I always wondered... How does the shop doing the N2 for you remove the air that's already in there? They don't vacuum the air out because the tire would pop off its bead. But they fill it several times with nitrogen, most of the air, but not all, would be out. (See above for how easy it is to naturally get to 96% N2)

(I vote no for N2, btw.)

 

[tbuck]

This is a controversial topic already. However, there needs to be a bit of context to the conversation.

Short amswer: Do what you want - it is your vehicle, but you will not see much (if any) benefit.

Yes, pure N2 will extend the life of the inner rubber on the tire. Yes, the nitrogen should reduce moisture in the tire. Others will also say it is less susceptible to temp swings.

The truth is that many of those benefits do not translate to most of us. For example, temp swings. N2 became polular in the racing circuits due to the temp swings the tires went through during a race and the consistency in pressure made race strategy a bit easier when you change tires several times in a few hours. Most of us do drive like that.

When it comes to oxidation, 100% true. However, it does not prevent oxidation from the air outside your tire. Honestly, after 10 years, most tires can still be usable if not tread-worn, but cannot be replaced due to a 10-year safety rule due to external exposure. Sure, N2 may extend this time window, but policy would not allow tire shops to do anything different than not work on a tire 10 years old (yes, I learned this the hard way when I finally had to use my spare hanging under the bed after 12 years of ownership).

That leaves the argument of moisture. Moisture comes out of the air when it is compressed. Larger compressors will have a moisture filter to remove this (the small inflators you can buy for convenience may not). For example, my old 2 gallon pancake compressor had a drain to remove moisture that condensed in the tank after use. So, this really is not much of an argument.

So, do what you want. However, N2 in your tires will not provide you with much benefit.

 

[MyFirstElectricTesla]

Air is already 79% N2. All you are doing is replacing the 21% with N2. If you think that only the N2 will remain in the tires, wait until they are down 10 pounds of pressure (about 21%) and then fill them with Air again. Then, you'll have a tire that is 79% N2 plus 21% that is also 79% N2 which.... 79% + 16.5% = 95.5% N2.

Save your money. Get 95% free N2 by simply filling your tires if/when they get low.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

1lb OR 50lbs of compressed regular air have the same 79% of N2.

I always wondered... How does the shop doing the N2 for you remove the air that's already in there? They don't vacuum the air out because the tire would pop off its bead. But they fill it several times and eventually, most of the air would be out. (See above for how easy it is to naturally get to 95.5% N2)

(I vote no for N2, btw.)

They told me they do the same procedure as changing a new tire but not completely taking it off, just one side and put it back on then use N2 to fill it up. Don't quote me on this. I might have a proof if I have time to watch them doing it at Costco instead of getting inside shopping.

 

[TyPope]

Correct me if I'm wrong.

1lb OR 50lbs of compressed regular air have the same 79% of N2.




They told me they do the same procedure as changing a new tire but not completely taking it off, just one side and put it back on then use N2 to fill it up. Don't quote me on this. I might have a proof if I have time to watch them doing it at Costco instead of getting inside shopping.

Not necessary still. Explosive environments or events favor nitrogen or if there are huge differences in temperatures or pressures. Think airline tires going up to 20,000 feet... or NASCAR tires heating up so much they melt. But you and I? No. If you heat up your Cybertruck tires that much, you have other issues.

 

[MyFirstElectricTesla]

... or if there are huge differences in temperatures or pressures...

I'm thinking about N2 because summer is coming. It's easily +40 degrees in summer and that is huge to me.[/QUOTE]

 

[Stuck4ger]

Well luckily the CT makes it easy to check your air pressure as the seasons change. And run that PV=nRT equation to see just how much difference there is in N2 vs the 78% N2 in standard air for a given temperature change.

 

[tbuck]

I'm thinking about N2 because summer is coming. It's easily +40 degrees in summer and that is huge to me.

[/QUOTE]
But realistcally, about 120 degrees or more from being relevant - honestly.

An airliner landing will experience a temp change of over 300 degress F in a few seconds - which is why they ise N2.

An F1 racer will experience a temp change of over 150 degrees in a single lap and then cool and reheat within a few minutes - which is why they ise N2.

A 40 degree temp swing in a consumer vehcicle (even in most extreme condisitions) is well within the limits and requires no additional protection - unless you plan to place your CT in the extremes of these two industries pioneering the use of N2 for specific reasons.

This really is a marketing effort to convince people to spend money on somehing they do not need.

 

[MyFirstElectricTesla]

...This really is a marketing effort to convince people to spend money on somehing they do not need...

Again, using N2 is part of more important thing "balance and rotation". The $20 is not for N2 only. And with N2 I will feel a little better if it's not even real.

As other posted, N2 is free at Costco. People don't need a membership to use these stations.

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