And this situation is not just straightforward diffusion, either. Very technical discussion of permeation rates here. I'm not making any claims for its validity, though.
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Nitrogen or air?
- Thread starter JacoLesFlea
- Start date
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According to Consumer Reports, Nitrogen will effuse more slowly through the walls of tires than oxygen:
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As I understand it, this is because oxygen molecules, despite being heavier, have a smaller radius than nitrogen molecules. Therefore they will leak more.
But the difference is fairly insignificant - about one PSI or so per year. And to maintain that small advantage, you need to pay a lot of money, and continue going back to the dealer. It's just a marketing ploy.
As far as expanding or compressing due to changes in temperature, pure nitrogen gas will be more consistent than air from the gas station pump.
HOWEVER
This has little/no relevance to passenger cars. Some of us might think that because airplanes and racecars use nitrogen, that it offers some performance advantage. The reason many airplanes use nitrogen is because there is humidity in the air. When planes travel miles above the Earth, temperatures are low enough to cause the humid air in the tires to condense and even freeze - a hazard for landing. However, dry air (all water content removed) works just as well.
I would say go for it if it's free, but don't hesitate to fill your tires with air if they need it.
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As I understand it, this is because oxygen molecules, despite being heavier, have a smaller radius than nitrogen molecules. Therefore they will leak more.
But the difference is fairly insignificant - about one PSI or so per year. And to maintain that small advantage, you need to pay a lot of money, and continue going back to the dealer. It's just a marketing ploy.
As far as expanding or compressing due to changes in temperature, pure nitrogen gas will be more consistent than air from the gas station pump.
HOWEVER
This has little/no relevance to passenger cars. Some of us might think that because airplanes and racecars use nitrogen, that it offers some performance advantage. The reason many airplanes use nitrogen is because there is humidity in the air. When planes travel miles above the Earth, temperatures are low enough to cause the humid air in the tires to condense and even freeze - a hazard for landing. However, dry air (all water content removed) works just as well.
I would say go for it if it's free, but don't hesitate to fill your tires with air if they need it.
Bob Lee (QSC)
In case you missed it, I work for QSC Audio!
- Jul 3, 2001
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- Former Technical Communications Developer, QSC Audio
N2 is popular for pressurization, probably because it's such an inexpensive (i.e., cheap) and easy-to-handle gas. It's commonly used in broadcast and other RF communications for pressurizing feedlines and waveguides (very slightly, maybe a couple psi gage pressure) to help keep moisture, insects, etc., out. It's abundant, not poisonous, and doesn't promote oxidation or combustion.
I don't think there's any advantage to using it for passenger car tires, though. But for $40 I'd think you could get your own tall cylinder of N2 from a compressed gas service and have your own multi-year supply.
I don't think there's any advantage to using it for passenger car tires, though. But for $40 I'd think you could get your own tall cylinder of N2 from a compressed gas service and have your own multi-year supply.
switched from air to nitrogen at the Porsche dealer this morning...I do feel a difference..matter of fact my sister who was in the car before I even said anything said the ride of the car felt more bouyant..soft,like on a cloud but still having the steering performance around corners. Service advisor told me the service is free so I guess I'm nitrogen from now on. I am pleased so far, and if I dont have to pay for this then why not. 
switched from air to nitrogen at the Porsche dealer this morning...I do feel a difference..matter of fact my sister who was in the car before I even said anything said the ride of the car felt more bouyant..soft,like on a cloud but still having the steering performance around corners. Service advisor told me the service is free so I guess I'm nitrogen from now on. I am pleased so far, and if I dont have to pay for this then why not.
This post is a veiled attempt for you to brag about driving a porsche while I drive a crappy Honda Civic with a rusty roof and a wobbly wheel.
I don't believe that expansion/contraction over temperature is significantly
different between nitrogen and regular air.
I believe the reasoning is that, by filling the tire with an inert gas,
the gas isn't reacting with the tire material. This helps reduce tire
aging and loss of oxygen (which reduces tire pressure) through reactions
with the tire material.
different between nitrogen and regular air.
I believe the reasoning is that, by filling the tire with an inert gas,
the gas isn't reacting with the tire material. This helps reduce tire
aging and loss of oxygen (which reduces tire pressure) through reactions
with the tire material.
This post is a veiled attempt for you to brag about driving a porsche while I drive a crappy Honda Civic with a rusty roof and a wobbly wheel.
And this is a veiled attempt at saying that even though you drive a crappy Civic, you're better than him at spotting veiled attempts.
