Anybody filling their tires with nitrogen?

[CStockton]

Drivers try another gas to save gasoline

By DAVID SHARP, Associated Press Writer

Mon Jul 31, 2:22 PM ET



Many motorists seeking to improve their mileage as gas prices soar this summer are examining everything — right down to the air in their tires. And for a growing number, plain old air isn't good enough.



George Bourque of Fairfield is one of those who's driving around on tires filled with pure nitrogen, the same stuff that NASCAR racers use.



Bourque, an engineer, said he has seen a 1 to 1. 5 mile-per-gallon increase since he began filling his tires with nitrogen, which is touted as maintaining tire pressure longer and resisting heat buildup on hot summer days.



"I analyze everything," he said.



Nitrogen has been used for years in the tires of race cars, large commercial trucks, aircraft and even the space shuttle.



But it is finding its way into the mainstream at a growing number of tire dealers — including Costco Wholesale Corp.



Nationwide, fewer than 10 percent of tire dealers offer nitrogen, but the number is growing, said Bob Ulrich, editor of Modern Tire Dealer magazine in Akron, Ohio. Most dealers charge $2 to $5 per tire for the nitrogen fill-up, he said. The dealers generally offer free lifetime refills.



Bourque got his tires — filled with nitrogen — in Waterville, Maine at Tire Warehouse, which has 50 tire dealerships across New England. The nitrogen was part of an installation package when Bourque bought a set of tires.



Skeptics will question how much can be gained by filling tires with pure nitrogen when the air we breathe is 78 percent nitrogen.



The differences are subtle, but important, said Steve McGrath, Tire Warehouse's vice president of marketing in Keene, N. H.



Nitrogen molecules are bigger than oxygen molecules, so nitrogen seeps out more slowly from tires than air; nitrogen resists heat buildup better than air, which contains moisture; and nitrogen reduces oxidation, which can damage the tire from the inside out, proponents say. Nitrogen is an inert gas, so there are no safety or environmental issues.



Those advantages are important in vehicles equipped with tire pressure monitoring systems, which are sensitive to changes in tire pressure, McGrath said.



With or without nitrogen, proper inflation is the key to improving gas mileage. Motorists can improve gas mileage by 3. 3 percent simply by keeping their tires properly inflated, according to the U. S. Department of Energy.



In the real world, though, only 1 in 5 motorists check tire pressure regularly, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association. Nitrogen, therefore, could have an advantage for those who don't check their tire pressure regularly.



The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has no opinion on nitrogen, but it does encourage motorists to keep their tires properly inflated, both for safety and to boost gas mileage, said spokesman Rae Tyson. Severely underinflated tires are dangerous, especially for sport utility vehicles and light trucks, Tyson noted.



Tire experts at Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports magazine, neither endorse nor object to the use of nitrogen in tires.



"Nitrogen is certainly safe to use in tires, and theoretically it does offer some benefits," spokesman Douglas Love said from Yonkers, N. Y.



For Bourque, his tire pressure remains constant — 40 pounds for his fully loaded truck — even on hot days when tire pressure normally fluctuates.



His gas mileage was about 19 mpg when he purchased his five-cylinder 2005 Chevrolet Colorado. Now, with the engine broken in and new tires filled with nitrogen, he gets 20. 5 to 22 mpg depending on whether he runs the air conditioner, he said.



For tire dealers, the nitrogen generator and associated equipment typically runs between $3,000 and $12,000, Ulrich said.



Marty Mailhot, manager of the Tire Warehouse in Topsham, said the idea is catching on with consumers, who are purchasing nitrogen for tires for cars, trucks, motor homes and lawn tractors. He has even tried it on footballs and inflatable tubes pulled behind boats.



He has a retort for those who pooh-pooh the notion of paying for nitrogen when there's plenty of free air for the taking.



"I say, 'Why are you drinking that bottled water when there's a pond out back?'" he said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060731...l8BIwBv24cA;_ylu=X3oDMTA3MXN1bHE0BHNlYwN0bWE-

 

[HGreen]

Yes, but not the Dodge, I had it done on my Miata last fall at a local Costco. Yes the tires don't loose air pressure like air filled ones. But, I haven't seen any gains in mileage (already average over 30 and I drive it like the car it is) or performance. In a vehicle where I run empty most of the time and air up for towing and hauling, it looses its appeal.

 

[Yo Hoot]

Guess I can just fill from my train horn tank :--)





#ad

 

[cyborg]

I only use a "performance" blend of 79% nitrogen :-laf

 

[Badunit]

I use helium. Tires never wear, they don't even touch the ground. Helium might have an interesting effect on that train horn, too.



Here's another thought. Air is 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. Oxygen leaks out of the tire faster than nitrogen (one of the stated advantages of nitrogen). So, over time, the percentage of nitrogen in the tire will increase on its own, even with periodic top-offs. Theoretically it would get to nearly 100% given enough time.



Seriously, though, it does sound like there are some benefits. But it also sounds like using dry air would provide many of the same benefits. The required device is simply a jar of silica gel that you put in-line with your air hose. You could easily add the correct fittings so you can carry it in your car and use it for air fillups at any gas station.

 

[MartyK]

I run nitrogen in my tires. It is true, they do not lose pressure. My pressure has been very consistant. I have 11,000 miles on the tires and they look fine, but I can't tell you if that's from the nitrogen or that's just how they wear. I put them on when the truck was new so I can't compare fuel milage.

 

[hemic67]

I also run it in my 35" Pro-Comps. Very consistent pressure. Lifetime refill. Mileage is probably minimum-heavy right foot! Doesn't stop the rubber from coming off the rear tires. Larger molecules=piece of mind?

 

[brods]

ROFL this whole nitrogen thing has gotten so out of control! The Dodge dealer had a marketing card on the service counter about filling your tires with nitrogen. They used the term "harmful" when speaking about air! GET REAL!



As for the rocket scientist in the article, if you noticed, he got nitrogen with NEW TIRES!

Bourque got his tires — filled with nitrogen — in Waterville, Maine at Tire Warehouse, which has 50 tire dealerships across New England. The nitrogen was part of an installation package when Bourque bought a set of tires.

Ummm…. maybe the mpg gain was from the new tires and had nothing to do with what gas was inside them!



If you are too lazy to ever check your tire pressure or you drive so few miles a year that your tires fail long before the tread wears out, by all means spend the $5 per tire for this wondrous gas. Otherwise don’t waste your money. If its free, great, but I would not go out of my way to get it.



BTW do they fill the tire with nitrogen and then deflate it several times to purge all the "harmful" air that remains behind in a deflated tire?





Badunit, they have such devices already, primarily for those running the tire balancing powders which tend to clump up with excessive moisture.

 

[Badunit]

Badunit, they have such devices already, primarily for those running the tire balancing powders which tend to clump up with excessive moisture.

I'm not surprised. I have a drier on my air compressor and it just looked like an easy thing to retrofit for mobile use. It would, however, be overkill as it will dry a continuous stream of air for several hours (more in the winter, less in the summer) before I have to heat the silica and dry it back out.

 

[CDegner]

Only one problem with the whole "nitrogen is a larger molecule" statement. It's not. Nitrogen (N2) has a molecular weight of 28. Oxygen (O2) has a MW of 32.



And the "nitrogen reduces oxidation, which can damage the tire from the inside out" ... What about the oxidation from the outside?



Carl

 

[bagd99dak]

i got you all beat. im just gonna fill my tires with water. hahahaha

 

[RMalone]

I think propane would be an awesome inflation gas for exciting burnouts. :-laf

 

[BillDriscoll]

Where can I find ULSD Nitrogen along the Gulf Coast??



BiLLD

 

[Badunit]

Only one problem with the whole "nitrogen is a larger molecule" statement. It's not. Nitrogen (N2) has a molecular weight of 28. Oxygen (O2) has a MW of 32.



And the "nitrogen reduces oxidation, which can damage the tire from the inside out" ... What about the oxidation from the outside?



Carl

Nitrogen has a lower molecular weight but is larger in atomic radius than oxygen. I imagine that holds for N2 and O2 as well.

 

[J&LRam]

I refuel at two different truck stops , about 40 miles apart, and see more commercial/hotshot folks that say they are using it now. As others say I air up and down a lot so its not practicle for me.

 

[David Pendleton]

Edited to be nice.

 

[Badunit]

Not a pleasant thought. I'd hate to be the one who changes your tires.