CE750

I just paid $35 to my dealer for a "life time" Nitrogen fill on my CDI.. Being a pilot (at least part time).. I know in Aviation we use No for the air in tires due to the lower moisture and less likely to leak out (especially at high PSI's)..

But is there really any benefit on my 40psi CDI? or is this just a placebo for me!

Here in Phoenix, the outside air temp is regularly over 100 degrees in summer so I figured it couldn't hurt to have cooler air in the tires. And the lack of moisture will do less harm to the rims over a long period of time.

Kestas

I'm aware of the N2 fill for aircraft tires. Keep in mind the temperature swings these tires see just in the course of a day!.... Take off from Toronto in February, then land in Aruba 6 hours later!

I think for the average driver that this practise is a "solution in search of a problem". I don't think it's worth it. Someday I'll have to crack open my CRC Handbook and look at the numbers to see what is the science behind this practise.

Practically speaking, the initial 14.7 psi is ambient air, unless thay go through great efforts to get the ambient air out, which I don't see happening. The extra 30 psi is N2. So only 2/3 of the air charge in the tire is N2.

CE750

I could be wrong, but they insisted that they "purged" the O2 out... the question is how? I should ask them.

Chappy

I just went through this recently on my 300CE. Decided against it for the following reasons:

(1) I don't track the car, or drive at high speed for any length of time.
(2) I am good with keeping up with the air pressure in my tires (weekly)
(3) Convenience (have to go back to the tire shop for changes/fills)

azmoto

Costco fills all tires they sell now with NITROGEN, as indicated by the green valve stems. Got new tires there, only thing is you cannot put regular air them unless you go quickly and have the tire air replaced. BTW Costco does all this for free I live in AZ and it seems to keep the pressure more regular than just air.

CE750

I called the Glendale store and they confirmed that they use No but only for tires they sell. I'll be getting a new set of 17's soon, and take them into Phoenix Motor for No fill. I think with the temps we have out here, the stability alone is worth it.

Kanji

yes azmoto is right about costco, they use Nitrogen to fill the tires. BTW if you don't specify what tire preasure, they will only fill the tires @ 36psi unless you specify to put to or close to max psi before they start work on your tires. ITS FREE!!!

Kestas

Did Costco change their policy? The last I checked a few months ago, they cherged $3 per tire for this service.

Luke@tirerack

normal air is 78% nitrogen already ...

you will not see any noticable benefit from nitrogen in your car tires

CE750

not to debate with the expert.. I wouldn't dare.. but there's a lot of data that says it better to have 100% No than (78% No 22% O2) for a few reasons, not the least of which is the corrosive nature of the O2 and it's effects on the RIM/Stem, as well as No's ability to remain inside the tire better, over a longer period of time.

It simply can't hurt to use No, and the Aviation, and Trucking industry uses it extensively.

But, you guys and Discount tire both aren't using it... wonder why?

BTW.. if you google Nitrogen fill, you'll find 1/2 a dozen companies selling the equipment, which is not cheap mind you (there must be a good market for this stuff).

It's a bit like the debate over whether to synth oil or dino oil... both work well, and if changed inside their normal interval will cause no harm to your motor, but synth is just a little better over all...

I belong to the school shat says don't sweat the small expenses, if they help your car over the long run.. Preserving the rim/stem by it's self makes No better than O2 for me.

Kestas

I just changed six tires this year on my home tire changer. I had to sand blast each one at the bead because of corrosion at the bead sealing surface. I doubt it was from the oxygen in the tire, but from crevice corrosion of salt working its way in the interface. There was no other corrosion on the inside of the tires.

CE750

The O2 in the air assists that reaction is what I'm told..

CE750

Clearly this is not a cut and dry issue, pardon the pun.. but for $35... it's not the end of the world for me either way.

Luke@tirerack

for extreme application there are definite benefits from nitrogen but, a street car is far from an extreme application ....

aircraft = good
race car = good
street car = not worth the added $$$

CE750

point well taken.. thanks.