Nitrogen for tires?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Lawrenceville, GA
2003 E500
Nitrogen for tires?
Just replaced my Contis with Michelin Pilot Sport PS2s after reading the high praise on this forum. Purchased and installed them at the dealer. They offered nitrogen fill up in lieu of standard air for the tires claiming that nitrogen is more stable and consistent at varying temperatures than air in terms of pressure. Also said that nitrogen molecules are physically larger than standard air and tires become less prone to leak. OK, I bought it...$40 for lifetime nitrogen.
Question: am I a sucker or was this a wise purchase?
Question: am I a sucker or was this a wise purchase?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,017
Likes: 16
From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
$40.00 for a Nitrogen fill is always a rip-off, but $40.00 for a tire "lifetime" of fill-ups is a good deal. So you did OK. Everything he told you about the advantages of Nitrogen in tires is true, and the fact that they will lose "air" more slowly is convenient for you, but other than that, the benefits of Nitrogen in car tires is still being debated as to its benefits VS cost (commercial Jets tires are filled with Nitrogen)... again, in your case you got a good deal at $40.00 ...many MB Dealers charge $40.00 to $50.00 per 4 tire check & fill-up.
I like the $40.00 lifetime deal.
I like the $40.00 lifetime deal.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Lawrenceville, GA
2003 E500
Barry thanks for the response. Ha, I remember when I first bought the car and joined the forum, you were one of the posters I first started to follow and read your posts. That was in June 2006, I believe. Time flies when you're having fun.
I'd like to buy a newer MB, but just haven't needed one yet!
I'd like to buy a newer MB, but just haven't needed one yet!
Banned
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 4,957
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I guess if you are close to the dealer for refills it's ok. Most people get a 100% Nitrogen fill and then start mixing in atmospheric Nitrogen and away goes the advantage. Just make sure you keep going into the dealer on a regular basis for refills.
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Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 96
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From: San Diego
2009 E350 Arctic White AMG Sport package W/ P2 option, 2002 C230 kompressor Coupe
If you shop at Costco, you can top off your tires with Nitrogen for free. I also think nitrogen in the tires adds peace of mind. Since the tire does not lose the nitrogen as quickly as air, your low profile tires and rims are safer.
Last edited by rsmith7; Apr 17, 2011 at 01:01 PM. Reason: additional information.
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Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 26
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From: san diego
w211 e500
LOL anyone that pays for nitrogen air is a sucker... The only advantage of nitrogen air is for Aircraft tires due to the fact of excessive heat from landing and take off... nitrogen air is been around aircraft industry for decades it does nothing to cars lol other than if you are drag racing or professional racing!!! take it from an aircraft mechanic..... do not be fool by dealers and tire shops!!!
Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
2008 E350 2013 Tahoe 2007 Mustang GT Conv.
I'm not sold on the claimed benefits of nitrogen filled tires for use in our cars. Yes, nitrogen is beneficial for aircraft and racing applications, just not for our daily drivers that would never see the driving conditions where nitrogen would be a benefit. The only benefit I see would be nitrogen's larger molecule would keep the pressure longer in the tires. How hard is it to check the pressure in the tires and add air if needed???
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,017
Likes: 16
From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
And those tankless "compressors" you plug into your lighter socket in the trunk? Almost as bad. Tire shops? No outside air.
Up North, every gas station had an "air station" on their lot connected to their big shop compressor. Pleanty of air, take your time, do it right... but you had fo freeze your *** off. Here while you can't put air in your tires, you can look at loosely dressed people Palm trees, people dining al Fresco as you drive on your underinflated tires.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65
Likes: 1
2015 E350-4M SPORT
Or, you can pull into the "FULL SERVICE" island at a gas station and have them do it for you.
I have one of those $49 Sears electric, tankless compressors. It works just fine. Not as cool as a real tank compressor, but it does the job and it only takes about 10 minutes for all 5 (yes, I check the spare too) tires. Just over fill them a bit and use a quality gauge to bleed down to proper pressure levels.
Unless you own a commercial grade aircraft, you are wasting money, if you pay to have your tires on anything else, filled with nitrogen.
I have one of those $49 Sears electric, tankless compressors. It works just fine. Not as cool as a real tank compressor, but it does the job and it only takes about 10 minutes for all 5 (yes, I check the spare too) tires. Just over fill them a bit and use a quality gauge to bleed down to proper pressure levels.
Unless you own a commercial grade aircraft, you are wasting money, if you pay to have your tires on anything else, filled with nitrogen.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 685
Likes: 121
From: Palm Coast, Florida
2019 E-450 Wagon
here in FL in the apartment building w/ common garage space, darn near impossible.
You can use the compressor at my house anytime.
Where in town are ya?
I am within walking distance of Old Heidelberg, German restaurant and Deli.
http://www.oldheidelbergdeli.com/
Quite convenient for us kraut-car drivers..
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,017
Likes: 16
From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
Aha, you moved to Fort Lauderdale...?
You can use the compressor at my house anytime.
Where in town are ya?
I am within walking distance of Old Heidelberg, German restaurant and Deli.
http://www.oldheidelbergdeli.com/
Quite convenient for us kraut-car drivers..
You can use the compressor at my house anytime.
Where in town are ya?
I am within walking distance of Old Heidelberg, German restaurant and Deli.
http://www.oldheidelbergdeli.com/
Quite convenient for us kraut-car drivers..
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 267
Likes: 0
Mercedes E55 AMG (2006), Mercedes 560 SEL (1991)
Just replaced my Contis with Michelin Pilot Sport PS2s after reading the high praise on this forum. Purchased and installed them at the dealer. They offered nitrogen fill up in lieu of standard air for the tires claiming that nitrogen is more stable and consistent at varying temperatures than air in terms of pressure. Also said that nitrogen molecules are physically larger than standard air and tires become less prone to leak. OK, I bought it...$40 for lifetime nitrogen.
Question: am I a sucker or was this a wise purchase?
Question: am I a sucker or was this a wise purchase?
Brgds
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65
Likes: 1
2015 E350-4M SPORT
I love SoFL. Been trying to convince her to move to Key Biscayne for years.
A couple more winters like this past one and my Benz will be basking in the sun
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 685
Likes: 121
From: Palm Coast, Florida
2019 E-450 Wagon
Any chance you could convince my wife - LOL
Had to beg and bribe her to Florida 13 years ago, now she loves it and don't want to be anywhere else.
I am here for sailing,diving, the proximity to the Bahamas and having lived in Norway and Alaska, I don't need no stinking seasons..
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,017
Likes: 16
From: Ft. Lauderdale Area, USA
2015 ML 350
Summer its HOT, but not as hot as a NY winter was cold... and the real heat lasts only about a month in July.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 451
Likes: 44
2007 E350; 2018 GLE350
Not entirely convinced by their arguments. We started using nitrogen on aircraft tyres because of fire concerns. Aircraft brake units sit inside the wheel hubs and generate very high temperatures. Heat fuses are incorporated in the hubs to let out the air in the tyres if temps rise to critical levels, and cool things down. This cooling is obviously effective if oxygen is excluded! Which is why nitrogen is used mandatorily for aircraft tyres...
Brgds
Brgds
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1
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From: Birmingham, AL
2010 C-300 Sport
nitrogen
For what its worth, I just took my wife's Lexus IS 250 in for service at the dealer and asked about the nitrogen for her tires. Lexus had all dealers take Nitrogen out of their shops. The benefits don't make up for the cost. And, precisely because of the molecular properties, they said, the TPMS doesn't work properly. I'm not a chemist or engineer, but that is what Lexus has said, and they do build a quality automobile. However, I have also read several other sites which make the same statement about the costs not balancing with the benefits. N is harder to get, and doesn't help in any appreciable way.
Current ride 2010 C-300
Current ride 2010 C-300
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,745
Likes: 880
From: In the Shadow of the Tetons
2013 ML350 Bluetec
I use the same specialized mixture we breathe. As the smaller air molecules leak out, I replace it with more of that same mix. Eventually, the concentration of nitrogen molecules gets higher, and as those bigger molecules replace all the small ones that leak out the tire leaks less and less, requiring less "air". Soon my tires will be filled with 99% pure nitrogen, and I'll not have spent any more $$$ than for the power to run my compressor.
An added benefit is not having to run to the Mercedes dealer when my tires are low; the closest one is about 300 miles away.
Nitrogen by attrition. Works for me.
An added benefit is not having to run to the Mercedes dealer when my tires are low; the closest one is about 300 miles away.
Nitrogen by attrition. Works for me.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 55
Likes: 4
From: Mid-Atlantic
W211 - 2003
Now's the time... Real Estate prices are LOW & bargains abound. But be advised, the job market is different here, "no" big employers, and salaries are lower... but it costs less to live here and its the "quality of life" factor must be added into the equation. Not to mention only 2 real seasons of clothing to buy, and depending on where you live Gasoline is at least 20 cents a gallon cheaper here, not to mention electric... and in SoFla, no heating costs.
Summer its HOT, but not as hot as a NY winter was cold... and the real heat lasts only about a month in July.
Summer its HOT, but not as hot as a NY winter was cold... and the real heat lasts only about a month in July.
If I could get the same job down there that I have here, we'd move in a second!
Consider me jealous!
