Nitrogen air leaking?

[joe603]

I made the mistake of paying $40 to have nitrogen filled tires from the dealer and now I've had to re-fill the tires due to the low pressure sensor alarming. There isn't a Infiniti dealer close by, so I just used "normal" air.

Anyone else have similar problems with nitrogen filled tires? I though it was supposed to last longer than regular air?

[Poyzinous]

Well Joe, remember that pure nitrogen is a little lighter than the mixed air that normally goes into the tire, and because there is no oxygen or carbon dioxide mixed with it, it doesn't hold up to high heat as well. You may want to replace the tiny rubber grommets in the tire pressure monitors, as they actually do wear a little bit, and if you want the part number its 40702-CD001. Theys cheap. like $2. I personally don't know anyone with nitrogen in their tires though.

[joe603]

I thought nitrogen in tires would help keep the air in the tires longer? As for the grommets, they replaced 'em when I replaced the tires a few months ago.

[Poyzinous]

yes, it is to help them stay in tires longer, but not dramatically. If nitrogen was super amazing, everyone would do it, no exceptions. But its just a step up from regular ol air. I have the habit of setting my tire pressure every month. It should be checked biweekly.

[zozoka1212]

Joe,

I have Nitrogen in my tires. I did not pay for it they gave me that for free. Mine held up well all the way probably 8 months before I had to put some air in. First when cold came my wife's car needed air mine did not not sure because of the nitrogen or what. Than when the second cold wave came mine wenrt down to 31 psi all around. I just put some air in it like you did. No issue since that was 2 months ago. I need new tires really soon so I did not bother going to the dealer to refill. I am lucky though my dealer is 2 minutes from work. 12 minutes from my house.

[SVTCOBRA]

I believe that I read in CR that nitrogen was a waste of money.....It's in the 08 we got. Will have to monitor.I'm sure you know that PSI drops 1 per 10 degrees...I keep a compressor in all of my cars....try to check them weekly.

[zozoka1212]

Rich you are right with temperature drops the pressure drops too. "Supposedly" the nitrogen a little more stable however my second cold wave pressure dropped from 35 to 31.

When I was buying my car they offered me the nitrogen. I told them I don't need it. Than at delivery I've seen they charged me so I told the sales guys no no to it. He's like well we already put it in bla bla bla. I'm like I really don't care you can take it out. LOL He's like fine we leave it in for you for free. LOL

[joe603]

oh well...live and learn. I should have also avoided the tire and wheel protection package that got tacked on when I bought the car...that was a more expensive mistake.

[colburs]

Though I didn't pay for it (nor was I epxpecting it) there was a slip of paper with dealer installed options tucked into my owners manual pack. It listed a $695 package that included Nitrogen filled tires, pinstriping, and door edge guards. I laughed because filling tire with Nitrogen is a low cost item.

Nitrogen is good because it's dry and slows the rot of tires from inside out. I suspect that our 330hp beauties will never suffer from tire rot.

Nitrogen is used in race cars because the lack of water also means that it expands less under heat and you can more accurately predict what your hot temps will be. I don't think it makes any difference at normal ambient temps. The tires will still lose pressure in the winter and gain in the summer.

Nitrogen is really only worth considering if you have ready access to Nitrogen. Everytime you add normal air you dilute the Nitrogen and it's benefits.

[awdjdmtalon]

I have an entire thread on this in the tire/suspension section.

I have had it in my tires for a year now. I think I have had to add it once.

The place that did the nitrogen should do free top offs if the tires get low for some reason.

Have you checked for a nail in a tire.

Here are a few industries that use nitorgen in their tires and other systems.

NascarNasaUS MilitaryAviation

[joe603]

...I'm sure I could take it back to the dealer to refill...but they are about 20 miles away. Not worth the time.

[awdjdmtalon]

Also the GTR's come with nitrogen filled tires from the factory. I doubt Nissan wouldn't put it in the tires if there wasn't a benifit.

With "regular shop air" tires will lose approx. 1 psi a month with regular air.A drop of 10 deg. F. will drop 1 psi of tire pressure.

So if you checked your tire pressure this July on a 90 deg day, and haven't checked it until today at 40 deg day, you have lost 10psi of pressure.

I put nre tires on my car last Sept. and filled them with nitrogen. I played with the tire pressure ove the next few months to get even wear out of them. I think it was in Nov that I settled on 34 psi. I have checked the tire pressure @ every 2 months. The tire pressure stayed at 34 psi +/- 1 psi over the last 13 months. I have never had to add to it in that time.

[terrycs]

I have never seen evidence that nitrogen filled street tires make a difference. Air is already almost 80% nitrogen.

"Dry air contains roughly (by volume) 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 0.93% argon, 0.038% carbon dioxide, and small amounts of other gases. Air also contains a variable amount of water vapor, on average around 1%."

[zozoka1212]

I have never seen evidence that nitrogen filled street tires make a difference. Air is already almost 80% nitrogen.

"Dry air contains roughly (by volume) 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 0.93% argon, 0.038% carbon dioxide, and small amounts of other gases. Air also contains a variable amount of water vapor, on average around 1%."

"Dry". The problem is some places you don't know if it is dry or not.

Not sure if you have any experience with industrial airlines. I've been in some shop we recently bought where they had issue with part rusting. They had no idea why. They were blowing parts with airgun to finish. We went there opened the airgund and it was spitting out water. This is an issue with lots of places even with installed water separator. Especially when you depending on the outside weather(humid/dry/cold/hot). Once the water is in the tire it won't go away.

I trhink it is important where and when you pump air in the tires.

[joe603]

Found the nail in the tire today....

[CrackaLackin]

Found the nail in the tire today....

was it at least a nitrogen nail?

[zozoka1212]

Found the nail in the tire today....

Crap. I haven't had nail in my tires for so long. Maybe 10 years. Sorry Joe. Hope it is not on the side or where they can't put a plug in it. That would suck.

[Poyzinous]

Was it big or small? I plugged a nail puncture in my rear tire about 2 weeks ago...

[terrycs]

I always here it is better to patch a hole rather than use a plug?

[truckmtr240]

Nitrogen filled tires is one big scam!!

[joe603]

Just got it plugged...they don't have to take it off the rim. Construction at work...sucks.