nitrogen instead of air?? Options

[JustinCapps]

so, i went to best buy today, looking around in the auto section, and notice that you can put nitrogen in your tires?

anybody hear about this?
i just thought it was odd.

says that, better for wear on tires, safer prevents leaks..wtf? haha

[blu94gt]

A few places have been doing this, and I've seen more and more tire shops and dealerships starting to. The idea behind it is nitrogen molecules are bigger and will leak slower, helping the tire to leak air more slowly. But when you think about it, air is 78-ish percent nitrogen already, so you're not really making a big difference. I tried it when the shop I worked at was pumping it, and didn't notice anything different, still had to air my tires up about once a month to proper pressure.

You can tell if a tire has nitrogen in it because the shop that fills it is supposed to switch the black valve caps with green ones.

[mikew04]

Another reason why it is claimed to be better is the lack of oxygen which destroys rubber over time.

[jaxceli94]

Not worth the extra money in my opinion

[95st-celica]

its good stuff...all the newer volkswagons come with nitrogen filled tires...they do not leak...my buddy just bought an 08 R32 and they had blue valve caps...i asked him and he said that they were filled with nitrogen from the factory and that they will not loose air pressure like regular air filled tires will..pretty neat..i was thinking once i get a new set of rims and tires im gonna give it a shot

[Rayme]

Another reason why it is claimed to be better is the lack of oxygen which destroys rubber over time.

Asphalt makes a good job at doing exactly that

PS: But the exterior of the tire is surrounded by oxygen anyway?

[dlx742]

the reason nitrogen is better to use in your tires is because nitrogen's volume doesn't change as much as air when the temperature changes so the pressure in your tires is always the same. so your tires will always be the same pressure when it is 0 degrees outside or 100 degrees outside, and when you first start to drive on them to when your tires are warm.

[garin]

i had this question too. i then turned to science class and realized that air is like 78% nitrogen (or something like that), 21% oxygen and 1% other gases, so what is really the difference between having 78% nitrogen in your tires compared to 100%... nothing. i had my mechanic give me this lecture as well.

[JustinCapps]

i got it done today.

i just wanted the lil blue valve covers to match my lug nuts.