Nitrogen Filled Tires

Is anybody running Nitrogen? Anybody have and use their own bottle to fill? Thoughts?

My truck came with it, and has been a pain to get filled/topped off ever since I bought it. In fact, in over a month of trying, still haven't gotten any Nitrogen. There is a Nitrogen filling service at several shops/dealerships within 20 miles, but none can fill mine due to the way the valve stems mount in the rims.

I'm waiting on an air chuck, to make an adapter so I can get it done at one of these shops, but for either $30 for 1 year contract, or $40 for a lifetime contract, I'm not sure it's worth the trouble.

I've also thought about buying my own Nitrogen gas bottle from a welding supply and filling them my self. It seems that would make everything much easier. I could also then convert my motorcycle and wife's car to Nitrogen. The bottle costs about $250, and refills are about $30. Only converting over uses a lot of gas, so once done, I won't go through much gas.

 

Valvolines carry Nitrogen and will check them and fill them up if low for free. There's not much of a noticeable difference though, you might as well just add normal air to them if they're low.

 

may i ask what are the benefits of nitrogen filled tires?

 

Thanks for the info!
I haven't seen a Valvoline oil change shop in a while, and if there is one around, it's farther away. I should be able to get then filled at 4 Wheel Parts, since that's supposed to be where they were bought. Not sure if they charge, but again it's farther than other shops.

 

I don't see the great benefit to using nitrogen in tires. I've had vehicles since 1983..... all those tires were filled with air.... no problems encountered.

 

Regular air is already 80% nitrogen. You're wasting time and money trying to find a way to fill up with pure nitrogen.

 

No moisture in the tire/tube.

 

Supposed to be better mileage and tire life, due to holding correct pressure for longer. This is due to larger molecules not permeating the tire as easily as O2.

 

Speaking only for myself, the touted advantages aren't worth the effort. Not to mention one cut down valve stem or nail pick up and you are back to square one.

 

I forgot the moisture part and that it's an inert gas and can't fuel an explosion.

 

Yeah, I understand. Have never had Nitrogen before either. So far, nothing but a PITA.

 

Nitrogen is not fully inert, just mostly.

 

I'll bet the salesman would be much happier than you if you buy the bottle for your tires.

 

That's where the contracts come into play. Initial fill after flat repair, is air, then you take it to your filling location and they other and refill.

 

At what conditions is it not? I'm guessing pretty far outside our realm. Air planes and race cars use it.

 

How do they get all of the regular air they put in back out? If they just pull the valve stem theres still gonna be plenty of air in there when they fill it back up with nitrogen and you'll end up with a tire that still has oxygen in it.

 

You could always install the pretty green 'I have nitrogen' stem caps and let all your friends think you do..........

Lot's of wheels and tires have worked just fine for me on regular old air, with no issues caused by said air.

 

Spiffy racer wheels like these http://949racing.com/15x7.5-6UL.aspx have dual valve stems for just what you suggest.

Most of us don't have that, making your question a great one. Truth is there will be some air still in place. Just more nitrogen.

 

Nitrogen is NOT inert, and is certainly not a noble gas. Unstable nitrogen bonds are the primary active component of modern explosive, nitroglycerin, trinitrotoluene (TNT), and can't forget our cyclohexane nitrates (RDX, HMX) or even the potassium nitrate in gun powder, or nitrocellulose in smokeless powder, a triple bonded carbon to a nitrogen is a cyanide and azides are triple bonded nitrogen.

I use 80% nitrogen in my tires, from my very own compressor. And liquid nitrogen is CHEAP...

Howard

 

Air is 78% nitrogen. 21% oxygen.

Theory is, nitrogen doesn't migrate (leak) like oxygen.

Race car, it may have benefit. Street vehicle, probably not.