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Nitrogen = higher MPGs?

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Old Sep 9, 2008 | 06:01 PM
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Nitrogen = higher MPGs?

will I see higher MPGs if I do the nitrogen filled tires thing?
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Old Sep 9, 2008 | 06:06 PM
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You won't save much weight, air is 78% nitrogen anyway.

The idea is that Nitrogen keeps tires both inflated at optimal pressure longer (fat Nitrogen molecules don't seep through the tire walls as easily), and the moisture content of the air is reduced, but there haven't been any scientific studies to prove that it works to improve gas mileage. You shouldn't see any difference from checking your tires when you fill up with gas, and re-pressurizing as needed.

Good thought though, at least it's better than these HHO scams
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Old Sep 10, 2008 | 10:53 AM
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As long as you keep the tires properly inflated, no, you will just be wasting money by getting a $20 nitrogen fill up. Also as noted above, air is mostly nitrogen anyways.
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Old Sep 10, 2008 | 11:01 AM
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IF you or your family are members of COSTCO its FREE and its all they use! Nitrogen doesn't expand when hot like regular air does and it doesn't allow the tire to dry rot from the inside like regular air does. Its better for the tires but you won't see a difference at the gas pump.
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Old Sep 16, 2008 | 10:44 PM
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the military does that to the aircraft tires to keep corrosion down
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Old Sep 16, 2008 | 10:48 PM
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the dealer charges to have your tires filled with nitrogen. basically, it's a way to rip off peple that don't know any better. don't get it done by the dealer.
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Old Sep 16, 2008 | 10:54 PM
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do they use nitrogen to seat the beads?
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Old Sep 17, 2008 | 10:09 AM
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Originally Posted by cruisn
do they use nitrogen to seat the beads?
The ONLY place I know of that is strickly nitorgen use is COSTCO. All the high presure air tools, tire machines, and air pumps are run off nitrogen. Well the 3 around me that I've delt with anyway.
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Old Sep 17, 2008 | 10:11 AM
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Originally Posted by mrbelvedere
the military does that to the aircraft tires to keep corrosion down
Yep, it's great for that, moisture isn't carried as well in pure nitrogen. You don't need to refill the tires as often either.

No point in it for your car if you just want to save gas though, air is free almost anywhere you go. Corrosion shouldn't be a problem for quite a few years, even with steelies. I think most people would be getting a new car long before corrosion became an issue.
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Old Sep 17, 2008 | 10:13 AM
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Originally Posted by mrbelvedere
the military does that to the aircraft tires to keep corrosion down
they also do it because of the tremendous heat encountered on touchdown, nitrogen doesn't expand like regular air does, so it keeps blowouts down.
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Old Sep 17, 2008 | 10:28 AM
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i just put it in my r32 and it did make a slight difference. i live in florida so i definitely noticed a difference in the drive feel more than anything.
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Old Sep 17, 2008 | 04:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Jackalope
IF you or your family are members of COSTCO its FREE and its all they use! Nitrogen doesn't expand when hot like regular air does and it doesn't allow the tire to dry rot from the inside like regular air does. Its better for the tires but you won't see a difference at the gas pump.
Originally Posted by ls1fbody
they also do it because of the tremendous heat encountered on touchdown, nitrogen doesn't expand like regular air does, so it keeps blowouts down.
Nitrogen gas expands with increasing temperatures just as much as any other gas. Nitrogen gas does have a slightly higher heat capacity (3.6% higher) so it will take slightly more thermal energy to heat it up, but those effects will be negligible. I think the main benefit of nitrogen filled tires is the lack of water, although air only contains about 1 to 4% water at sea level. The lack of water will help prevent corrosion, but that only applies if you have steel wheels. And even with steel wheels, you will most likely never have to replace one due to corrosion because you did not fill them with nitrogen gas. Also, with nitrogen, you won't have the water in the air condensing out and freezing inside your tires, but that again is most likely negligible due to the low concentrations of water in the air.
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Old Sep 17, 2008 | 05:18 PM
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this site has pr00f that nitrogen saves money.
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Old Sep 17, 2008 | 05:37 PM
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Plain and simple, the main benefit of nitrogen fill ups is that your tires remain fuller, longer. If you're not the type that checks them every other tank or at least once a month, then it may be to your benefit to get them filled with nitrogen.

If you have the TPMS on your car, then you can check your tires with the push of a button and fill them as needed.
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