Dealer put Nitrogen in my tires. Better Ride!

[JackBauer]

Hey gang,

Just brought the Nali in for it's mileage checkup, and one of the new things the dealership offered was Nitrogen instead of air in the tires. It's like $20 bucks for all four tires and it improves the ride. I mean my ride was great before, but it's even better now. Supposedly it improves tire life, doesn't effect the tires when it's hot or cold so the pressure doesn't increase or decrease, plus is tighter so less air escapes and improves mileage.

So just wanted to give you guys a heads up if you want to call your dealer for details.

[Denalix5]

Never heard that it could improve ride quality. I always thought it was a gimmick. The only thing for sure I know nitorgen does is holds better in the tire. You supposedly don't have to check your tire pressure as often because the nitrogen gas does not disapate out of the tire as fast as air. It could improve tire wear in a way because you don't have to check the pressure as often. Not sure if its worth $20 to fill your tires. Also can't use plane air to fill your tires if they are a little low. You must find a place that has Nitrogen gas.

[intrcptrbird]

actually i see how Nitrogen could improve ride quality. Nitrogen doesnt expand as much as air does so when the tires get hot when they are at speed the pressure increases thus making the tire harder and the ride harder. With the Nitrogen there is VERY little difference in pressure so you still can get a nice smooth, soft ride since you would still be riding on not much more pressure than that was in there when they were cold. And I dont really see why you couldnt use regular air to top off the tire. Atmospheric air is 75% nitrogen anyways and mixing them really wont hurt too much. Just the little upsides of the nitrogen would be lessened.

[jimb342]

One of the major reasons for using nitrogen is it helps save the tire sensors. They are doing all they can to keep them healthy through the warranty period.

[93buicklesabrelmtd]

nitrogen has been used in airplane tires for many many donkey years... yes the molecule structure is different compared to regular air, and it will hold pressure under most situations.. nascar also uses nitrogen in their tires.

[MyNeoN95]

Man you got ripped 20 bucks you can get for free at Bell Tire.

[maxman]

Too funny! Better ride because of nitrogen in tires. Too funny!

The air compressor in my garage fills the tires on my lawn mower with 78% nitrogen and I don't notice a better ride.

Air = 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 1% argon and carbon dioxide.

Send me the money next time.

[envoyxuv]

Originally Posted by maxman

Too funny! Better ride because of nitrogen in tires. Too funny!

The air compressor in my garage fills the tires on my lawn mower with 78% nitrogen and I don't notice a better ride.

Air = 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 1% argon and carbon dioxide.

Send me the money next time.

Yeah buddy! Sounds like the dealer worked a pretty good gimmick on that one! i didn't realize 22% more nitrogen would make that much more difference than the free stuff we already get.

[envoyxuv]

Okay, here's what the General says:

Subject:Info - Use of Nitrogen Gas in Tires #05-03-10-020 - (12/22/2005)

Models:All 2006 and Prior GM Passenger Cars and Light/Medium Duty Trucks (including Saturn)

2003-2006 HUMMER H2

2006 HUMMER H3

2005-2006 Saab 9-7X

GM's Position on the Use of Nitrogen Gas in Tires

General Motors does not oppose the use of purified nitrogen as an inflation gas for tires. We expect the theoretical benefits to be reduced in practical use due to the lack of an existing infrastructure to continuously facilitate inflating tires with nearly pure nitrogen. Even occasional inflation with compressed atmospheric air will negate many of the theoretical benefits. Given those theoretical benefits, practical limitations, and the robust design of GM original equipment TPC tires, the realized benefits to our customer of inflating their tires with purified nitrogen are expected to be minimal.
The Promise of Nitrogen: Under Controlled Conditions

Recently, nitrogen gas (for use in inflating tires) has become available to the general consumer through some retailers. The use of nitrogen gas to inflate tires is a technology used in automobile racing. The following benefits under controlled conditions are attributed to nitrogen gas and its unique properties:

• A reduction in the expected loss of Tire Pressure over time.

• A reduction in the variance of Tire Pressures with temperature changes due to reduction of water vapor concentration.

• A reduction of long term rubber degradation due to a decrease in oxygen concentrations.

Important: These are obtainable performance improvements when relatively pure nitrogen gas is used to inflate tires under controlled conditions.

The Promise of Nitrogen: Real World Use

Nitrogen inflation can provide some benefit by reducing gas migration (pressure loss) at the molecular level through the tire structure. NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) has stated that the inflation pressure loss of tires can be up to 5% a month. Nitrogen molecules are larger than oxygen molecules and, therefore, are less prone to "seeping" through the tire casing. The actual obtainable benefits of nitrogen varies, based on the physical construction and the materials used in the manufacturing of the tire being inflated.
Another potential benefit of nitrogen is the reduced oxidation of tire components. Research has demonstrated that oxygen consumed in the oxidation process of the tire primarily comes from the inflation media. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that oxidation of tire components can be reduced if the tire is inflated with pure nitrogen. However, only very small amounts of oxygen are required to begin the normal oxidation process. Even slight contamination of the tire inflation gas with compressed atmospheric air during normal inflation pressure maintenance, may negate the benefits of using nitrogen.

GM Tire Quality, Technology and Focus of Importance Since 1972, General Motors has designed tires under the TPC (Tire Performance Criteria) specification system, which includes specific requirements that ensure robust tire performance under normal usage. General Motors works with tire suppliers to design and manufacture original equipment tires for GM vehicles. The GM TPC addresses required performance with respect to both inflation pressure retention, and endurance properties for original equipment tires. The inflation pressure retention requirements address availability of oxygen and oxidation concerns, while endurance requirements ensure the mechanical structure of the tire has sufficient strength. This combination has provided our customers with tires that maintain their structural integrity throughout their useful treadlife under normal operating conditions.
Regardless of the inflation media for tires (atmospheric air or nitrogen), inflation pressure maintenance of tires is critical for overall tire, and ultimately, vehicle performance. Maintaining the correct inflation pressure allows the tire to perform as intended by the vehicle manufacturer in many areas, including comfort, fuel economy, stopping distance, cornering, traction, treadwear, and noise. Since the load carrying capability of a tire is related to inflation pressure, proper inflation pressure maintenance is necessary for the tire to support the load imposed by the vehicle without excessive structural degradation.
Important: Regardless of the inflation media for tires (atmospheric air or nitrogen) inflation pressure maintenance of tires is critical for overall tire, and ultimately, vehicle performance.