Nitrogen in tires?

[DemonGT]

I thought the nitrogen in the tires from factory kept the tires at the same PSI regardless of temp? My tires after sitting for winter are showing low on the Fordpass app.

How many people keep nitrogen in the tires?

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[KingKona]

The Fordpass ap??? What pressures is it showing?

What does the car read them at???

 

[Chef jpd]

From AAA


Myth: Nitrogen does not leak from tires as quickly as compressed air, and therefore maintains proper tire pressure for a longer time.

Fact: Tires naturally lose small amounts of pressure over time whether they are filled with compressed air (oxygen) or nitrogen. If a tire has a major leak, air is likely escaping through the valve or punctures in the rubber, or from where the tire mounts to the wheel. In these cases, both oxygen and nitrogen escape at the same rate.

Myth: Nitrogen is not affected by temperature changes, and therefore maintains proper tire pressure regardless of climate.

Fact: Tires filled with nitrogen maintain inflation pressure longer than compressed air-filled tires in fluctuating temperatures. This is why nitrogen is used to fill airplane tires, as temperatures can change dramatically between takeoff and landing. Since nitrogen does not completely eliminate temperature-related pressure changes under normal driving conditions, it is of little benefit to vehicle owners who properly maintain their tires.

Myth: Using nitrogen in tires makes them “maintenance free” so there is no longer any need to check the tire pressures.

Fact: The opposite is true. Even tires filled with nitrogen still require regular pressure checks to identify slow leaks. It is also a good practice to visually inspect tires for cuts, tears, bulges and tread wear, or other signs of impending tire trouble.

Myth: The lack of oxygen and moisture in a tire filled with nitrogen reduces the potential for chemical deterioration of the tire liner, and limits the possibility of rust and corrosion on the wheel.

Fact: Compressed air systems at most tire shops have moisture separators that limit the amount of water vapor in the compressed air supply. Limiting water vapor protects the tires and wheels as well as a shop's expensive air-powered tire mounting and installation tools. In relation to the number of vehicles on the road and the total number of tires sold annually, the occurrence of tire and wheel damage caused by moisture is not sufficiently widespread to justify any special concern.

 

[dpAtlanta]

I thought the nitrogen in the tires from factory kept the tires at the same PSI regardless of temp?

Nope… PV=nRT

 

[sk47]

Hello; Let me add this. The air we breathe is something over 70% nitrogen to begin with so regular air get you most of the way to nitrogen filled. Also when a tire is mounted the interior volume of the wheel/tire assembly has regular air to begin with. So unless the shop pulls a vacuum there will be an amount of ordinary air.

 

[dbtgt]

and Fact: Air is composed of 78.08% Nitrogen anyway...
Not much different than Nitrogen filled tires which do not really ever achieve 100% Nitrogen fill.

 

[DemonGT]

The app was showing 25psi. Iv seen dealers charge for nitrogen but never knew if there was much benefit.

 

[dbtgt]

You beat me to it sk47...

 

[dbtgt]

Especially when they list $350.00 for the "Nitrogen Package" on their ADM window sticker...

 

[KingKona]

The app was showing 25psi. Iv seen dealers charge for nitrogen but never knew if there was much benefit.

Unless it's 2 degrees there, the ap is wrong.

Or, the tires were at 25PSI when you parked it.

 

[sk47]

The app was showing 25psi. Iv seen dealers charge for nitrogen but never knew if there was much benefit.

Hello; As chef jpd explained very well there are misunderstandings. I think the advantage is mainly for aircraft tires and much of that is the very dry nitrogen. Planes can go very high and there will be extreme temperature differences. Low moisture means less chance of ice. Little or no oxygen is a small benefit as oxygen is an oxidizer.

So not 100% a gimmick but not worth any cost. Free works. I will have to add air a few times a year mainly in the fall to winter. As temps drop on average the PSI will become lower. In the spring as average temps go up I generally tend to need to add less air.

I have air compressors at home with a dryer attachment. I check my air around once a month. Air leaks out of sound tires over time at the best I can do.

 

[CVCashmere]

You beat me to it sk47...

Nicely reported, Chef!

And yes, I am still running your antisway bars on my vert.

CVCashmere

 

[WildHorse]

https://www.continental-tires.com/ca/en/b2c/tire-knowledge/nitrogen-in-tires.html

 

[Bikeman315]

Two things.

1. Unless you have green valve cover caps your car did not come with nitrogen from the factory.

2. Get your tires from Costco. They use nitrogen at no charge and you can fill up whenever you want.

 

[Zooks527]

Myth: Nitrogen is not affected by temperature changes, and therefore maintains proper tire pressure regardless of climate.

Fact: Tires filled with nitrogen maintain inflation pressure longer than compressed air-filled tires in fluctuating temperatures. This is why nitrogen is used to fill airplane tires, as temperatures can change dramatically between takeoff and landing. Since nitrogen does not completely eliminate temperature-related pressure changes under normal driving conditions, it is of little benefit to vehicle owners who properly maintain their tires.

No.

Nitrogen and oxygen behave exactly the same in habitable temperature conditions. There is zero difference in the pressure change due to temperature in any conditions you will encounter on the road.

Nitrogen use in airplanes is more likely related to not wanting to have a compressed gas that supports combustion stuck in a wheel well with limited ability to suppress a fire.

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