Nitrogen or air!!

[Tbaynham]

I have just had two new Goodyear Wranglers fitted to my Freebie. The fitter extolled the virtues of inflating them with pure nitrogen which he said would do the following.

1. Maintain the correct pressure for longer. (12 Months at least)
2. Improve fuel consumption and miles per gallon.
3. Lessen tyre wear.

Now is he talking buncum or is there a case for using pure nitrogen? I believe our atmosphere is 87% nitrogen in any event, but he was adamant that the advantages are there. He wanted to charge a pound per tyre, which if the claims are true seems a small price to pay. :eek:

[si_guru]

Nitrogen has larger atoms then air, so does not leak from the tyre as readily. Also it maintains a more constant pressure over variation in altitude.

Most lorries use Nitrogen.. all planes use nitrogen.

Nitrogen is very cheap as it is a by product of other gas production.

[spikes]

Hi,
IF you do not deflate tyres when going off-road and then re-inflate using a 12volt compressor you might notice a more constant pressure reading(if you allways use the very same gauge at the same altitude and atmospheric pressure). I would not pay for the N. Does no harm and is more stable than normal air. No oxygen as Bernie said. But at R13.00/tyre (RSA currency) it is a scam.
Spikes

[Noel Johnson]

The atmosphere is essentially 79% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. Nitrogen is used in tyres as it maintains a more constant tyre temperature - please see your favorite Formula one teams website.

I personally would stick to air and keep the tyres topped up every week. That's certainly what I do.

HTH

Noel

[fergie2035]

I agree totally with what they say about it on this webpage.

http://www.buyrite-tyres.co.uk/tyrecare-source.html

Also consider this: If the oxygen molecules do migrate through the rubber of the tyre three times faster than nitrogen then gradually the amount of oxygen in the tyre will reduce. If a litre of oxygen has escaped you'll top it up again with a litre of air but since only 1/5 of that is oxygen and 4/5ths nitrogen, the proportion of oxygen your adding is only 1/5 of what has escaped. If you follow.... So, over time, the amount of oxygen in your tyre will gradully reduce and you'll end up with mainly nitrogen in there.