Nitrogen in Tires (^MPG?)

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Old 11-27-2011 | 11:29 PM
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Nitrogen in Tires (^MPG?)

Anybody currently have *NITROGEN filled in their tires? I'm in Maryland now away from my native Texas. I've heard that filling tires with hydrogen allows them to stay constantly under the required pressure regardless of temperature change and thus improving gas mileage? Can anybody confirm this?
 

Last edited by SWIMTEXAN; 11-28-2011 at 12:58 AM.
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Old 11-28-2011 | 12:34 AM
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Originally Posted by SWIMTEXAN
Anybody currently have hydrogen filled in their tires? I'm in Maryland now away from my native Texas. I've heard that filling tires with hydrogen allows them to stay constantly under the required pressure regardless of temperature change and thus improving gas mileage? Can anybody confirm this?
I hear that is the case with Nitrogen. Hydrogen gas is highly combustible, and I would assume it could be dangerous when used in a tire application.
 
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Old 11-28-2011 | 12:37 AM
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BTW. I just use regular air from my compressor, it's around 78% Nitrogen if I recall what my chemistry teacher told me back in high school.
 
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Old 11-28-2011 | 12:49 AM
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This has been discussed before and I believe the general consensus is that the gains are so minimal its not worth the cost or trouble. It was like .0007% mileage increase or something with pure nitrogen. That would come out to about one hundredth of a mile more per gallon or so
 
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Old 11-28-2011 | 01:00 AM
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Originally Posted by rednoved
I hear that is the case with Nitrogen. Hydrogen gas is highly combustible, and I would assume it could be dangerous when used in a tire application.
My mistake, Nitrogen was what I had heard as well.
 
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Old 11-28-2011 | 03:56 PM
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I wouldn't go out of my way for this Nitrogen craze. Trying to explain like you said the minimal benefits to someone who swears by it too is not worth the air. Besides, in a situation where you have low air, you can still fill up with regular air so what's the difference really.
 
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Old 11-28-2011 | 04:24 PM
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Id say it would be beneficial if it were a racecar on the track, but not a daily driver
 
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Old 11-28-2011 | 04:28 PM
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unless you can get it done for free, not really helping much.

the idea is Nitrogen molecule is bigger then Oxygen so it will take a bigger hole for it to leak out of. But as mentioned the "air" we breath is around 70% oxygen already, so putting 99% N2 isnt getting you a big gain



I went ahead and edited your title for you as well
 
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Old 11-28-2011 | 06:19 PM
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hydrogen is what the zeppelin was filled with....makes a great fuel but very flammable (explosive)

The nitrogen sales job right now, well comes from the racing circuit.....its pressure stays consistant regardless of tire/air temp, whereas air changes 1 psi for every 10 degrees temp change.

Now the the chemistry class...atmospheric air is comprised of...
78% nitrogen
20.9% oxygen
1.1% Carbon, Chlorine, Flourine, Bromine & Iodine.

for typical street use....nothing more than a sales gimmick
 
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Old 11-28-2011 | 08:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Patman
unless you can get it done for free, not really helping much.

the idea is Nitrogen molecule is bigger then Oxygen so it will take a bigger hole for it to leak out of. But as mentioned the "air" we breath is around 70% oxygen already, so putting 99% N2 isnt getting you a big gain

I went ahead and edited your title for you as well
Thanks! I was kicking my self for putting O2...

Originally Posted by BLUE20004X4
I wouldn't go out of my way for this Nitrogen craze. Trying to explain like you said the minimal benefits to someone who swears by it too is not worth the air. Besides, in a situation where you have low air, you can still fill up with regular air so what's the difference really.
Exaclty, I check the pressure every time I fill up for gas. I had heard it kept constant pressure regardless of temperature for 6 months but compressed air does the job as well.
 
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Old 11-29-2011 | 01:27 PM
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Ive had nitrogen in my tires for over a year, not really a difference between it and regular air. But I will say I havent had any problems with low pressure in my tires or them leaking. They also come with cool chrome valve stem caps with a green bubble on top
 
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Old 11-29-2011 | 03:51 PM
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I'd say the biggest benefit is that it keeps moisture out. A nitrogen blanket is commonly used in transformers for that reason.
 
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Old 11-29-2011 | 03:58 PM
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i think like have some said its creates more consistency and keeps moisture out.....have you ever filled up at a gas station with one of those quarter machines and seen the mist that comes out of those things yikes
 
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Old 11-29-2011 | 04:46 PM
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thats to keep the rubber from dry rot
 
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Old 11-29-2011 | 05:39 PM
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there was a bunch of us just talking about this at the shop the other day. we all seemed to agree it doesnt improve your fuel economy, it keeps it from getting worse by your tires slowly deflating over time from just normal air.

next craze will be helium, thinking its ability to make a balloon rise will translate to a vehicle floating off its tires a bit thus putting less weight and drag on the car improving your mileage by 5 mpg lol
 



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