Nitrogen refill for tyres?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 445
Likes: 8
From: Tucson AZ
2010 Mercedes GLK 350, 2001 BMW Z3 3.0 Roadster, 1997 Cherokee XJ
Nitrogen refill for tyres?
Presently looking at new tyres in September. Problem is the dealership is 1.5 hours away & no one local to where we reside has nitrogen for tyres. This is a major PITA as we rarely frequent where the dealership is located & yes, the tyres do need a boost once in a while or I want the capability of raising the pressure where needed for heavier loads. So I have researched the topic & it seems the solution is to have a tank of nitrogen available at the house. Welding supply shops have the equipment & the gas. It sounds like a win win to me but has anyone gone this route? All comments welcome!
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 571
Likes: 17
From: Redding, CA
'85 190D , '12 E350 BlueTec, '13 GLK 250 BlueTec
Normally the Costco tire centers use nitrogen. You should have one close by in your area.
Opinion, I've used it and have concluded its value is way overblown. I quit using it as it was easier to check my tires regularly and not worry about the increased pressure when they got hot. Besides it's able to get through the rubber much easier than compressed air and you have to check more frequently and adjust pressure loss from that.
Opinion, I've used it and have concluded its value is way overblown. I quit using it as it was easier to check my tires regularly and not worry about the increased pressure when they got hot. Besides it's able to get through the rubber much easier than compressed air and you have to check more frequently and adjust pressure loss from that.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 445
Likes: 8
From: Tucson AZ
2010 Mercedes GLK 350, 2001 BMW Z3 3.0 Roadster, 1997 Cherokee XJ
All of the big box stores are in Tucson which is a drive from where I am. Local tyre stores no longer or never did offer it. My opinion is similar to yours but I have heard it is more stable than plain O2, larger molecules etc. I have rarely had to have add N over the two years of ownership. My Z3 Roadster on the other hand has to have tyres pressure inflated with much greater frequency & it is on O2. Time for more research!
Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 193
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From: Denver
2014 CLS550 4Matic; 2010 E550, 2007 SL550
Riddle me this.... Air is 78% nitrogen.
If oxygen was able to "seep out" while nitrogen stayed in, then the tire would be a nitrogen sieve.
The nitrogen level would increase each time you added air to the tire and more o2 seeped out.
Pretty soon, only nitrogen would be left.
If oxygen was able to "seep out" while nitrogen stayed in, then the tire would be a nitrogen sieve.
The nitrogen level would increase each time you added air to the tire and more o2 seeped out.
Pretty soon, only nitrogen would be left.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 445
Likes: 8
From: Tucson AZ
2010 Mercedes GLK 350, 2001 BMW Z3 3.0 Roadster, 1997 Cherokee XJ
I found this article & especially the comments which follow informative. http://news.consumerreports.org/cars...en-tires-.html
What I glean from much reading is one advantage of N is it is dry. If extra dry air was readily available for tyres then there is little difference. However not all air in our tyres is this quality. My conclusion is if you have paid for the nitrogen then continue to use it. If the dealership wants to charge me again with the new tyres, I will say no! Do new MB's have nitrogen in their tyres from the factory? What is the Euro view on this topic?
What I glean from much reading is one advantage of N is it is dry. If extra dry air was readily available for tyres then there is little difference. However not all air in our tyres is this quality. My conclusion is if you have paid for the nitrogen then continue to use it. If the dealership wants to charge me again with the new tyres, I will say no! Do new MB's have nitrogen in their tyres from the factory? What is the Euro view on this topic?
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Super Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 861
Likes: 38
From: Philly area
350 GLK, C280
Has anyone ever had a tire long enough for it to rot?
Funny story. In the 50's working at a remote gas site in the hills of Louisiana, a couple of guys who worked for me decided to go into town about 60 miles away. They noticed that their only car had a flat. So they fixed it, but not having an air compressor, filled it with natural gas. At the first gas station they came to, they told the young attendant to "Fill er up and change the air in the tires".
The kid thought they were joking, but they said "No, the air mixing with the rubber becomes explosive". To show him, they took a lighter held it near the tire valve and let a little gas out, resulting in a long jet of flame.
Convinced he proceeded to change the air in all four tires.
As they were leaving they heard the attendant ask the next guy, "ya all want me to change the air in your tires?"
Unless you are into racing on the track, where the thermal coefficient of N2 reduces the increase in pressure as heat builds, forget the N2.
Opps, I work for a major supplier of industrial N2, forget what I said.
Funny story. In the 50's working at a remote gas site in the hills of Louisiana, a couple of guys who worked for me decided to go into town about 60 miles away. They noticed that their only car had a flat. So they fixed it, but not having an air compressor, filled it with natural gas. At the first gas station they came to, they told the young attendant to "Fill er up and change the air in the tires".
The kid thought they were joking, but they said "No, the air mixing with the rubber becomes explosive". To show him, they took a lighter held it near the tire valve and let a little gas out, resulting in a long jet of flame.
Convinced he proceeded to change the air in all four tires.
As they were leaving they heard the attendant ask the next guy, "ya all want me to change the air in your tires?"
Unless you are into racing on the track, where the thermal coefficient of N2 reduces the increase in pressure as heat builds, forget the N2.
Opps, I work for a major supplier of industrial N2, forget what I said.
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