Consumer Reports tests show nitrogen in tires not worth the cost or inconvenience

[BDennis]

Cliff Notes:
The results show that nitrogen does reduce pressure loss, but the reduction was only a 1.3 psi difference from air-filled tires over an entire year.
https://www.consumerreports.org/tir...ld-you-use-nitrogen-in-car-tires-a6260003694/

Sponsored

 

[MLowe05]

This should surprise no one. That anyone pays for this as an "option" is beyond all reason/logic.

 

[Woody27]

Has anyone looked at tire life with nitrogen? If my logic is correct the o2 density with 30 psi air is 3 times that of atmospheric. How many times have you heard that 10 year old tires may look fine on the outside (subject to 14.7 psia air with about 3 psia from O2) but are rotted from the inside (subject to about 45 psia with about 9 psia from O2). I'm assuming O2 is the culprit here. If you have a low mileage vehicle, such as a collector car, could tires last 30 years instead of 10?

 

[YOBY]

Great for RACE CARS and Crops.

 

[Shay]

It has never been anything BUT a way for car dealerships to scam you for more money, no different than sealant, undercoating or any of the other "lifetime" snake oil they sell.

 

[FriscoTXJoe]

Has anyone looked at tire life with nitrogen? If my logic is correct the o2 density with 30 psi air is 3 times that of atmospheric. How many times have you heard that 10 year old tires may look fine on the outside (subject to 14.7 psia air with about 3 psia from O2) but are rotted from the inside (subject to about 45 psia with about 9 psia from O2). I'm assuming O2 is the culprit here. If you have a low mileage vehicle, such as a collector car, could tires last 30 years instead of 10?

Problem is tires have a build date on them and no reputable tire shop will touch em after 10 years. They dry out.

 

[PriusHater]

Air naturally is already comprised of 78% nitrogen. I never quite understood how increasing that another 22% in a tire would actually lead to much of a difference in pressure loss over time. Appears that my suspicion was warranted.

 

[JanTheSexyVektan]

"I only run straight hydrogen in my ti..."

 

[ffoc01]

I personally have only relied on a locally sourced, free range, carbonized, oxygenated nitrogen blend for my tire inflation needs. No complaints. The best part, it's 100% compatible with other 80/20 nitrogen blends if I have to add more down the road. [Chef's Kiss]

 

[Woody27]

That's the story line we're give. My 12 year old tires with 6700 miles look like new on the outside but I'm told they need to be replaced because they are rotting from the inside (for the scolds out there I bought the car last November and it was drinen about 2 miles to fill the tank before being placed in storage, tires to be replace when it comes out of storage this spring). My question is what is causing deterioration from the inside out. I don't buy the argument that they are "drying out". What volatile is out gassing? If it was outgassing inside the tire the rate of out gassing would deminish as the volatiles build up inside the tire. They should out gas faster from the outside where its exposed to sun and wind with no build up to slow the rate. It would seem that oxidation with 3x O2 density would be the cause rather than drying. Hence would they last longer with nitrogen fill?

 

[MLowe05]

Hence would they last longer with nitrogen fill?

No.

 

[BDennis]

The on real difference some compressors are not setup to remove moisture as their tank fills and it is the moisture that creates the heat expansion and corrosion within the tire. Separating nitrogen does remove any moisture from the air. All this being said, no way would I pay extra for nitrogen, snake oil, pure profit for dealers.

 

[Woody27]

No.

Please provide your evidence, not just an opinion.

 

[Woody27]

No.

And no I don't have any evidence which is why I'm asking the question and providing my reasoning for asking.

Sponsored