LOVEMYBS

On start-up my SL rides and feels like a tank until the tires get warm and the air pressure expands; then it smooths out. Yesterday I was at a tire shop discussing replacement tires (Michelin Sport A/S for daily all weather driving) for my E55 when the subject of nitrogen came-up as a replacement for air. The dealer said he would replace the air in my SL for free (I brought him the SL, he wants my E55 busines). Upon leaving the shop I noticed the ride seemed smoother and the tires did not require the usual warm-up period i.e. it didn't feel like a tank on cold start-up. Earlier this week I also had the air replaced with nitrogen in my wife's BMW X3 at a stealership for $14.00/tire and she likes it too.

Apparently dealers are switching to a new compressed air pump that filters the oxygen molecules out and only leaves the nitrogen molecules. The dealer will remove the air from your tires via the air valve and then reinflate them with 97% nitrogen. You do not have to remove your tires and it only takes a few minutes. I'm hooked so far but time will tell if the claimed benefits (constant pressure, no warm-up etc.) are really true.

damian155

my wife also got the nitro replacement in her BMW 328i ,she was having constant air loss when is was cold out. So far so good.

rodbuster

Doesn't plain old regular air have nitrogen in it already?

RedG

Yes, approximately 78% in 'air'. The nitrogen used to inflate car tires now is 99.9% nitrogen. The problem with the 'air' is the oxygen and the moisture it inherently carries. The oxygen actually permeates through the rubber, belt package and cord body of the tire. The problem arises in that the oxygen allows for corrosion and rusting of the metal belt package, and drying of the rubber compounds in the tire.

"Dry rot", or even nearly all types of belt separations (read: tire failures) are a result of a failed belt package largely from internal degradation of the tire. Why do you think old tires can (and usually do) smell really bad on the inside after being taken off? Its like standing water becoming racid because it doesn't flow anywhere.

And not for nothing, nitrogen tire inflation is used in automobile racing applications, Airplanes, NASA, Off-The-Road mining, among other things. It is a great thing to use to fill your car tires, I would highly recommend it.

You can also go here for more information: www.getnitrogen.com

rodbuster

So when they fill the tire with nitrogen, do they first remove all the existing air with a vacuum pump to remove any impurities?

LOVEMYBS

No, not in my case. I would use a vacuum pump if I was also rotating my tires or having them rebalanced. I feel that letting the air out on the ground until the tire went completely flat was enough for now; at least it's a start. Over time nitrogen will replace all the remaining impurities during the occasional check-up.

srice

My dealer puts Nitrogen in the tires of every high-end MB at service. No charge

allenjdmb

as far as I can see. I've tried it and found no real difference. Perceived, probably. But for those of you with chrome plated wheels, the nitro fill does leavve less moisture in your air. That being the case, the loss at the valve stem is not as "wet" if you use nitrogen. A good percentage of peeling on chorme wheels is at or near the valve stem, and this would hinder or eliminate that problem. I can't see the logic in going in and re-doing your tires if they ride well and have no problems. If you're getting some new ones and want to do it, all good. And yes, nitrogen is about 80 air.

Scott E350 Saks

Interesting discussion. I've never thought of it before. Seems like all I remember hearing about is better gas mileage...

amdeutsch

Better gas milage has nothing to do with nitrogen. Keep your tires properly inflated and you will see the same results.

RedG

However since millions never actively check their tire's inflation pressures on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, the benefit of more stable inflation is immense.

NSM

I use it on my drag slicks as it keeps pressures from fluctuating as much. Also run it in my STi for track use.

rodbuster

Have any tire manufacturers conducted a scientific test or anything to substantiate the claims of nitrogen filled tires? If the cost is $56 to inflate your four tires with nitrogen, I would want to see something of substance to justify the expense.

RedG

Bridgestone

Michelin

Goodyear

http://www.getnitrogen.org/environment/

gqmagic

The advantage of Nitrogen is it keeps tires inflated longer before the air seeps out. I did 3 cars at Rusnak when they were offering it for free about 6 months ago, and just this week added some air.
I wouldn't pay $50 plus dollars for it though.

rodbuster

I went to the above website, and found their disclaimer to be very interesting : "GNI does not warrant that any product descriptions or content contained in this website is accurate, current, reliable, complete, or error-free."

This does not sound very inspiring to me.

Autoscope

We also use nitrogen in our shops. I feel you can really notice the difference on heavier vehicles!

thekopman

so far, so good

RedG

Why? They are merely relying information provided by other sources in a concise manner. And it is not unlike any other disclaimer on any other website, or for any company.

Nitrogen by default is a better way to inflate tires just be simple chemistry.

photonut

costco will inflate your tires with nitrogen at no charge, even if you are not a member!

Scruffyone

I run nitrogen in all my cars and even have my own tanks to take to the track with me. Autocross heats tires up extremely fast (seconds) and the last thing you want is over inflated tires. I start just below my target pressure and bleed after every run. I have to refill after the car sits to start the afternoon sessions, and again, bleed to the target. Nitrogen is dry and it expands a lot less than wet compressed air. At work I have all the dry compressed air I could want, but a $20,000.00 screw compressor system is a bit of a stretch for the track.

Sunir

when switching from air to nitrogen; are the pressures still the same (if they are then you could stick to the manufacturer's suggested tire pressurs)? and can the pressures be checked with a standard tire guage, like a Longacre dial with relaese valve...

LOVEMYBS

Yes and yes.