Nitrogen Filled Tires

[Mark Linkous]

Hello All,While taking my car in for an oil change, the advisor recommended nitrogen for the OEM Pilots. I realize this is a somewhat controversial procedure so I would greatly appreciate any and all thoughts. The dealer (Coast Infiniti) charges $40.00 to do it.Cheers,ML

[crashingsucks9]

i have known some people that have done it and the plus is that at some places its free air fill for life time of the car along with some other different perks and its also "better for the environment" i dont see how but thats what they say

[marlin29311]

Hello All,While taking my car in for an oil change, the advisor recommended nitrogen for the OEM Pilots. I realize this is a somewhat controversial procedure so I would greatly appreciate any and all thoughts. The dealer (Coast Infiniti) charges $40.00 to do it.Cheers,ML

$40 seems too high for what I've seen - most places charge about $5 a tire to do it - unless of course the $40 included a new balancing.

The use of nitrogen has been around for a while, and the claims that it bring are somewhat disputed. Air is already 78% nitrogen, so some people say that what's the extra 20% or so going to do?

Nitrogen (or at least the type that they put in the tires) is a larger molecule than regular air, meaning your tires won't leak air as easily, which is a good thing from a maintence standpoint. One could also argue that by having this, you will get better gas mileage because of the fact that your tires are always inflated properly.

In my opinion, if you perform the routine maintnence that you should perform, nitrogen really doesn't add all that much value. If you get it for free, there's no harm in having it. Just my .02...

[Mark Linkous]

Hello,Thanks for the replies. Since I ended up needing the rear brakes replaced, they ended up doing it for free. I was tempted to do it, but, had decided not to.I will be interested to see if it helps or if it is simply a placebo effect. While G loaners are swell, I really miss my car.Cheers,ML

[crashingsucks9]

check with the dealer and ask them what they give you with it if its nothing in the long run dont do it, i know at chevy its lifetime alignment and balancing and other things like that so its worth it in the long run if you get everything done at the dealership but if not then no

[szh]

Folks,

Nitrogen is the same whether it is in plain air or used "more pure" when filling your tires from a tank. "Regular air" is a mixture of about 78% Nitrogen, 19 to 20% Oxygen and the rest is other gasses.

There have been some claims about Nitrogen that have not been totally proven one way or another.

Just keep the following in mind:

1. Some places (look at Consumer Reports for an example) have tested and seen lower week-to-week drops in pressure when using Nitrogen from a tank rather than air. The effect is relatively minute though.

2. Your tire does not start out with a vacuum when you mount the tires - there is "regular air" in there at 14 psi. So, by adding Nitrogen as the filler, you are only increasing the proportion of Nitrogen in there. It does not miraculously become pure Nitrogen inside the tire!

3. One of the reasons that some people (racers for example) use Nitrogen is that the Oxygen in plain air probably affects the rubber inside the tires (particularly when the tire is hot in race conditions) more than Nitrogen would.

My bottom line (as mentioned by others too): If it is free, do it ... it cannot hurt. For example, Costco fills with Nitrogen on new tire purchases.

But, would I pay for it? No.

Since I find the pressure in my tires goes down a psi or so every other week (this is normal), going to find a place to refill with Nitrogen would be a pain. I simply use a good air compressor and a good gauge every weekend or two - at home. Plus, since I have to change tires every 20k miles (about a year and a half) due to tread wear, the "extra" damage of Oxygen from regular air inside my tires is not a big deal.

Z

[maxnix]

Costco does it for free with tires you buy there. They evacuate the mounted tire to reduce atmospheric gases adn most importatntly, moisture.

The main advantage is the lack of moisture and the thermal stability of the mostly N2 fill.

[Mark Linkous]

Hello,Manix, thanx for the reply. Since they offered to do it for free, I had it done. As has been pointed out here, it cannot hurt. Also, again your posts about Mobil 0W-40 were very informative and led me to switching from Mobil 1 0W-30, which I had used since it is the factory recommended weight. Also, what are your thoughts on Royal Purple synthetic? Since Mobil 1 has skyrocketed in price, there is only a one dollar difference between the two.Cheers,ML

[maxnix]

M1 0W-40 is one of the best oils out there and may still be PAO.

I've used RP for gear lube, never engine lube. It worked fine as a gear lube. Look at Valvoline, Red Line adn Amsoil synthetics if you really want to change.

[szh]

I regularly use Mobil 1 Full Synthetic 0W-40 in my cars ...

Z

[zoomie]

I did it when I had a 350Z and found that it did improve my mileage by about 10%. The tires were topped off every time at took it for an oil change at the dealer (for free) but I can see where it might be hard to find a distributor.

$40 is too high but I wouldn't be afraid to do it again if I were to change my tires. It's a "nice to have" but not a "gotta have."