, in tires anyway
Tire Preasure
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: East Texas
2004 Volvo XC70; 2012 GLK 350 4matic
Apparently MB dealer prep doesn't do much (of course, it costs them time and money)...my car was also delivered with the 46/48 pounds of pressure...they never checked it. They also didn't get a great score on prep because they hadn't clayed the front windshield so the wipers chattered on the shipping protection.
One I had them adjust the tires to the pressure on the gas lid (not on the door), there was a tremendous improvement in the ride.
I still get the occasional "check tire pressure" message on the dash...no idea where that comes from since it often shows the exact pressure on the gas cover...I just ignore it.
One I had them adjust the tires to the pressure on the gas lid (not on the door), there was a tremendous improvement in the ride.
I still get the occasional "check tire pressure" message on the dash...no idea where that comes from since it often shows the exact pressure on the gas cover...I just ignore it.
Wayne
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 764
Likes: 10
From: North Carolina
2010 E350, 2015 S550
The nitrogen was free. I have an air bottle I use to top all vehicle tires and Costco offered to fill it with either regular air or nitrogen. All I can tell is that the nitrogen pressures do not fluctuate with air temps like plain old air.
Granted I am not racing this car, just mentioning that nitrogen is easily available if you have a friendly Costco near by
Granted I am not racing this car, just mentioning that nitrogen is easily available if you have a friendly Costco near by
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,800
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
Because 'pure' nitrogen has no discernible advance over ''mostly nitrogen" for any consumer application. At best, you'll lose that time based 1psi every 6 weeks instead of every four. Temperature affects it just like normal air and while the inside of your tire may oxidized slower, the outside will still be subjected to all of the harmful UV rays as always. When did you last see a tire dry rot from the inside out? Tires dry rot because of outside environmental impacts, not because they oxidized on the inside.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2009
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
Here is an experiment that a gas station owner should do.
Put up a sign that says "free air."Under that, put another sign that says "78% nitrogen - all the benefits of that expensive tire store nitrogen for only $1" add a dummy push button labeled 78% nitrogen to your air pump and see how many people buy that stuff.
Put up a sign that says "free air."Under that, put another sign that says "78% nitrogen - all the benefits of that expensive tire store nitrogen for only $1" add a dummy push button labeled 78% nitrogen to your air pump and see how many people buy that stuff.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Halifax NS
E550 4matic Tenorite (Steel) Grey
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,800
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 764
Likes: 10
From: North Carolina
2010 E350, 2015 S550
Why is nitrogen used in aviation tires? Care to offer an opinion on that?
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 764
Likes: 10
From: North Carolina
2010 E350, 2015 S550
Here is an experiment that a gas station owner should do.
Put up a sign that says "free air."Under that, put another sign that says "78% nitrogen - all the benefits of that expensive tire store nitrogen for only $1" add a dummy push button labeled 78% nitrogen to your air pump and see how many people buy that stuff.
Put up a sign that says "free air."Under that, put another sign that says "78% nitrogen - all the benefits of that expensive tire store nitrogen for only $1" add a dummy push button labeled 78% nitrogen to your air pump and see how many people buy that stuff.
I just recently used nitrogen in my motorcycle tires. In a motorcycle I can tell the difference in handling between a couple of lbs of pressure. I am sure I could not tell in a car. I was curious how nitrogen would affect the handling as the tires heated up. That was really my only point in the first place.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
...I just recently used nitrogen in my motorcycle tires. In a motorcycle I can tell the difference in handling between a couple of lbs of pressure. I am sure I could not tell in a car. I was curious how nitrogen would affect the handling as the tires heated up. That was really my only point in the first place.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2009
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory...light=87-08-09
If you regularly subject your to the same stresses as aircraft, then I would suggest that you use pure nitrogen. If you don't, then you will have zero benefit from using nitrogen.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 764
Likes: 10
From: North Carolina
2010 E350, 2015 S550
Be glad to. It has less to do with the nitrogen content than with the oxygen content.
http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory...light=87-08-09
If you regularly subject your to the same stresses as aircraft, then I would suggest that you use pure nitrogen. If you don't, then you will have zero benefit from using nitrogen.
http://www.airweb.faa.gov/Regulatory...light=87-08-09
If you regularly subject your to the same stresses as aircraft, then I would suggest that you use pure nitrogen. If you don't, then you will have zero benefit from using nitrogen.
So I can assume I did not harm the tires by using nitrogen? You did not comment on that CEB.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2009
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
That makes sense. You have convinced me. There is no point in using free nitrogen in my motorcycle tires vs. free air in my tires. Wonder why Costco bothered to offer it to me in the first place. I was only interested in filling my air bottle with air.
So I can assume I did not harm the tires by using nitrogen? You did not comment on that CEB.
So I can assume I did not harm the tires by using nitrogen? You did not comment on that CEB.
Nitrogen will do no harm and free nitrogen gets you those cool green valve stem caps.
Remember that to actually get "pure" nitrogen into your tires, you'd need to purge the air several times first - something the COSTCO guys probably don't do.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 764
Likes: 10
From: North Carolina
2010 E350, 2015 S550
Not annoyed at all.
I learned a lot from this post. But, I did not get those nifty green caps. They only filled my air bottle for me. I reinflated the tires myself.
It occurred to me why it is offered. Perhaps the gear heads that like to do burn outs need the nitrogen to prevent tire fires. I could not think of any other reason.
I learned a lot from this post. But, I did not get those nifty green caps. They only filled my air bottle for me. I reinflated the tires myself. It occurred to me why it is offered. Perhaps the gear heads that like to do burn outs need the nitrogen to prevent tire fires. I could not think of any other reason.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2009
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
Not annoyed at all. I learned a lot from this post. But, I did not get those nifty green caps. They only filled my air bottle for me. I reinflated the tires myself.
It occurred to me why it is offered. Perhaps the gear heads that like to do burn outs need the nitrogen to prevent tire fires. I could not think of any other reason.
I learned a lot from this post. But, I did not get those nifty green caps. They only filled my air bottle for me. I reinflated the tires myself. It occurred to me why it is offered. Perhaps the gear heads that like to do burn outs need the nitrogen to prevent tire fires. I could not think of any other reason.
It really is great marketing hype. The $10 a tire is an easy sell once you tout the advantages ("better fuel economy, your wheels won't rust") so it is even better for COSTCO to hype that they'll give it away. It costs them nothing, there is no way for you to check how much nitrogen is in your tires
There is no advantage for using nitrogen for any consumer - even if they are a "hot rod" driver.
I got sucked into the hype in Europe in the 90's too until I did the research and realized that the claims made little sense.
Remember to go back to COSTCO though for your green caps.
.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2009
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1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
"We conducted a year long test of the effects of nitrogen in tires and the results show nitrogen does reduce pressure loss over time, but the reduction is only a 1.3 psi difference from air-filled tires. The average loss of air-filled tires was just 3.5 psi from the initial 30 pressure setting. Nitrogen-filled tires lost an average of 2.2 psi from the initial 30 psi setting. More important, all tires lost pressure regardless of the inflation medium, so consumers should check their tires' air pressure routinely. If you decide to have your tires filled with nitrogen, be sure to have them refilled with nitrogen routlinely. Like air, nitrogen filled tire pressure will drop as seasonal temperatures fall. No evaluation was done to assess the aging claim."
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 280
Likes: 8
From: Sarasota FL
2020 E450 Wagon
nitorgen
Even thought Daimler Benz has issued a statement that they do not think that nitrogen use in tires offer much in financial benefits, our local Mercedes dealer continues to offer-strong arm really, $220.00 nitrogen tire fill packages with lifetime refill. Like you want to go to your dealer every time your tire has lost a little pressure.
Among the touted benefits is little tire pressure change due to temperature variation (TRUE). And less air loss (NOT IN MY EXPERIENCE).
Costco is probably offering nitrogen because people have heard the hype and asked for it. And it's not free to Costco, they either have to buy a fairly expensive nitrogen generator or rent tanks from a supplier like oxygen and acetylene.
When we first started seeing customer cars with nitrogen filled tires during services, I looked into nitrogen machines and supposed benefits. Other than being a great profit center for the dealer, it's basically a waste of time and money.
The tire pressure numbers on the driver's door jam are there by Federal Law, Mercedes recommendation is indeed on the fuel tank flap. My two cents worth is any tire should have at least 34lbs for maximum tire life.
So if the flap sticker states 30 Front & 34 Rear, I recommend something like 34 Front & 38 Rear.
Those of you who state that the dealer left the tire pressures too high....do you have the already mentioned green caps on the valve stems?
If so keep in mind that as nitrogen filled tires do not increase in pressure with temperature, you should add about 4lbs over what Mercedes recommends as a cold pressure spec. That is what our local dealer does.
Among the touted benefits is little tire pressure change due to temperature variation (TRUE). And less air loss (NOT IN MY EXPERIENCE).
Costco is probably offering nitrogen because people have heard the hype and asked for it. And it's not free to Costco, they either have to buy a fairly expensive nitrogen generator or rent tanks from a supplier like oxygen and acetylene.
When we first started seeing customer cars with nitrogen filled tires during services, I looked into nitrogen machines and supposed benefits. Other than being a great profit center for the dealer, it's basically a waste of time and money.
The tire pressure numbers on the driver's door jam are there by Federal Law, Mercedes recommendation is indeed on the fuel tank flap. My two cents worth is any tire should have at least 34lbs for maximum tire life.
So if the flap sticker states 30 Front & 34 Rear, I recommend something like 34 Front & 38 Rear.
Those of you who state that the dealer left the tire pressures too high....do you have the already mentioned green caps on the valve stems?
If so keep in mind that as nitrogen filled tires do not increase in pressure with temperature, you should add about 4lbs over what Mercedes recommends as a cold pressure spec. That is what our local dealer does.
Last edited by GermanCars; Jan 21, 2012 at 10:04 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 280
Likes: 8
From: Sarasota FL
2020 E450 Wagon
"Like air, nitrogen filled tire pressure will drop as seasonal temperatures fall."
Regardless of Consumer Reports, there is a significant reduction in tire pressure growth due to increase in tire temperature with nitrogen filled tires. Any roundy-round racer can tell you that. It's just of very questionable value on the street.
I do not use it and do not recommend it to my customers.
Regardless of Consumer Reports, there is a significant reduction in tire pressure growth due to increase in tire temperature with nitrogen filled tires. Any roundy-round racer can tell you that. It's just of very questionable value on the street.
I do not use it and do not recommend it to my customers.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,365
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From: Orange County, CA
GMC - Miata - Trek - P-Car
Those green caps are indeed a misguided status symbol for Costco Camry and Accord folk.
Don’t have them on my Michelin Pilot Super Sports’ valve stems though. :nix:
Don’t have them on my Michelin Pilot Super Sports’ valve stems though. :nix:
