A local tire chain is pushing the "NitroNize" your tire.(Fill your tires with a Nitrogen gas, though I am not sure what the mixture is). Similar to what the NASCAR boys have been doing. Well, I do a good amount of business with this company and they have offered a special price for me to do it. I am just curious what anyone has heard about using this stuff and if the claims of saving tire wear and better gas mileage are legitament.

Wassail!
Fenrir

http://www.belletire.com/ Then you will see their add for "Nitro-Nize"

 

I've heard of the benifits of Nitrogen in your tires but I have never tried it myself. I don't know if any place around here offers it.

 

It's worth an extra 50hp. Go for it!

 

Actually, I run Nitrogen in my tires...

A local shop that I do a lot of business with hooks me up with it, free of charge. Their pitch basically states that because there's much less water-vapor in a nitrogen filled tire, vs air filled, that the expansion rates are much more predictable. In a very low profile tire there is much less volume than the norm, and therefore the expansion would affect this type of tire much more than a stock one.

Ok, that's entirely true, however...

The benefits aren't really noticable, unless your name is Shumacher or Andretti. And you're driving 200mph. On a track. And your car has a Mclaren or Ferrari badge on it somewhere.

 

What Tokyo said. Also, having managed 5 different Tire Stores, I can tell you first-hand that most of the "water vapor" in air-filled tires evaporates as soon as the tires heat up. The only reason people find water inside, is due to the fact that some shops don't drain their compressors often, or use proper water traps.

It is a great marketing gimmick though!

Read more amazing! and wonderful stuff about nitrogen in your tires HERE

 

I have also heard that the nitrogen molecule is larger than reg air. Meaning it is less likely to escape from the tire leaving you with low pressure.

 

The Tire Place near me puts out these brochures.

Why all tires should be inflated with Nitrogen:

Maintains tire pressures:oxygen escapes from a tire 3-4 times faster than nitrogen

Lower fuel concumption: Better air pressures improve rolling resistance and reduce the risk of running tires under-inflated

Cooler running tires: Tires inflated with nitrogen run cooler that tires with regular air.

Eliminate Oxidation: With nitrogen there is no more oxidation of inner tire liners, belt packages or air pressure monitoring devices.

Eliminates rim rust: Nitrogen is dry. Condensation is eliminated.

 

so what is the going rate for Nitro filling ? I would think on a long road trip it might be worth it if your MPG would go up...yes ? no ?

 

....it's basically a "gross builder" for the company with the equipment. Just like alot of these places that change oil and sell customers complete "wallet flush" jobs.

 

The only gas for tire inflation that will actually improve performance is what I use in mine... helium!!

Why, you ask? Helium has a much lower density than oxygen or nitrogen, which is why it is used in balloons. By filling my tires with helium, my HHR weighs 143 lbs. less. We all know that less weight means faster accelleration. That's why my HHR is so-o-o-o fast!!

Disclaimer: The above is almost as much BS as some tire store claims.

The atmosphere is 79% nitrogen, 20% oxygen already. Nitrogen expands at a slightly lower rate when heated than oxygen, but not enough to be a factor for car tires. Oxygen is also more reactive, but again, not enough difference. As for "deterioration", when is the last time you had a tire "rot" from the inside??

Bottom line... A profitable ripoff for the tire store!

In race cars, pure and dry nitrogen is more predictable for minute pressure gains at the temps they run. Also, race tires can get hot enough for steam to form, creating a real pressure mess! That'll never happen on the street.

Also, what Mike said about water and places not draining compressor condensation!! A few years ago I had a flat fixed. I then had an annoying balance problem and took it back. It was funny watching the tire guy trying to balance it... He'd get the numbers, put weights on, check it again and the machine would show weight needed somewhere else. After a few attempts, they dismounted the tire, only to find about two cups of water (moveable weight!) inside!!