I have been hearing about tires being filled with nitrogen instead of air. I was wondering why they are saying it is better than using normal air. Anyone know? Anyone have nitrogen in there tires? Does it ride differentyl?

 

Air diffuses through tires 30-40% faster than nitrogen resulting in under-inflated tires. I'm a pilot and I know we use nitro because oxygen due to moisture will freeze at -30f, nitrogen is -170f or so. not sure how it affects ride, but your gas mileage will be better if your tires are properly inflated.

 

first off they do that in racing and I would strongly suggest and recommend NOT to do it to convential tires for normal use. I say this because they replace air because under the intense pressure of heat the air will dissapate...Nitrogen will stay there in the tire during these extreme conditions. One problem, major problem, and this is why you dont put them in your normal tires is that when they explode with Nitrogen they will explode with a force large enough to take out your fender and qaurter panel. If your not racing DONT do it..

 

my grandman told me they did it when he had his tires rotated that is why i actually asked. Look at the article i found.

 

does he race?

 

Im sticking to my statement up top because i had asked a race technician from Michelen Motorports that question and the english that he knew he said not to do that...im sticking to his word

 

One of this sites sponsers... www.buywheelstoday.com has a no charge nitrogen inflation service... and they claim that the nitrogen is not a volatile gas, so it wont explode or anything. check out their site, they have a little blurb about it.

 

no he doesnt and in order to explode wouldn't u need a flame or spark? Also all the tire companies are switching to nitrogen now. Did the Hidenberg have nitrogen in it or what that hydrogen?

 

two types of explosions......pressure build up / combustion

 

which is he talking about, pressure build up would be the same and would depend on teh psi not the nitrogen or oxygen. Could be wrong but i dont think the explosion would be bigger. i will ask my chem teacher tomorrow.

quote from buywheelstoday.com
Benefits of Nitrogen Inflation:
1. Nitrogen inflated tires maintain proper pressure longer: Normal compressed air migrates through the sidewall of a tire at the rate of approximately 2 psi per month. Nitrogen molecules are much larger than oxygen molecules, which means that pure nitrogen migrates through a sidewall at a slower rate than compressed air. Proper tire pressure results in longer wearing tires and improved gas mileage.

2. Pure nitrogen does not contain moisture: Compressed air contains oxygen and therefore water vapor. The moisture causes higher tire temperatures, variances in pressure, and oxidation of the tire, wheel and valve stems. Oxidation is corrosion, which causes leaks around the valve stems and tire beads. Oxidation also leads to tire fatigue, leading to increased tire wear. Due to the lack of moisture, nitrogen inflated tires do not oxidize and run cooler, leading to longer tire life.

3. Nitrogen is safe: Nitrogen is an inert gas that is non-flammable.

Many tire dealers and other retail outlets around the country are now installing Nitrogen inflation equipment. Although it is best to always inflate with nitrogen, if necessary, tires can easily be topped off or re-inflated with compressed air anywhere without any risk. The only change is that by adding compressed air, the percentage of pure nitrogen in the tire will decrease and some of the benefits of nitrogen inflation will be lost.


Nitrogen inflation has long been used in applications such as aviation, mining, off-road equipment and car racing including NASCAR, Formula One, and CART.

added by me: (they would do it if it would explode)