I am thinking about putting nitrogen in my tires instead of air because it doesn't change pressure with heat as much as air and the atoms of nitrogen are larger so my tires are far less likely to leak. They apparently do this at Belle Tire now, I heard. Does anyone know how much?

 

All I know about nitrogen in tires is that semis do it a lot, and it prolongs the life of the tire somehow.

 

I know that NASCAR does this, as well as some other racing series.

 

<---- worked at discoutn tire for 2 years... here we go, since nitrogen has less moisture, it will expand and contract less drastically in exteme temperatures at both polarities, and also since it has less moiture it will not cause deteerioration on the inner wall of the tire. secondly tires are not oxygen proof, they leak oxygen through the walls, thats why if a car sits forever it loses air, this isnt because it has a leak, its because tires are not completely air tight, nitrogen is a lighter gas but has a larger molecular mass, so in order for it to seep out of the tire's inner wall it takes much longer, so your tire pressure wont need to be checked as often as oxygen filled tires (normally once a month for reg O2, nitrogen every 3 monts or so) there ya have it, an explanation in short terms

 

Except for the oxygen part, right! Air actually does not even have that much oxygen in it.

 

Nitrogen gets a big thumbs up. I was going to look for a place to fill my tires with nitrogen locally.... don't have a clue where though. Might ask the local Discount.

Also of mention, Nitrogen is an inert gas and will not contribute to fires.

 

I take it that you just inflate the tires with nitrogen leaving some air in there. You can't pull a vacuum on the tire to remove all the air before inflating it with nitrogen can you or will the beads stayed seated??

 

Correct!

 

Well what would leak out would be the oxygen in air since air is comprised of greater than 70% nitrogen. So you are both right in a sense.

 

is there a down sie to this insted of air? and if not, Y not do it to all cars?

 

Air is free i would assume, nitrogen costs money to put in your tires....

 

when they put nitrogen in my tires they deflated them 1/2 way and filled them up with nitrogen like 3 times, by the third time its like 99percent nitrogen. I love it, got mine done at uncle ed's for 20 bucks for lifetime fills.

 

oh wow, $20 bucks is nothing! Thats aweomse! This is the 1st time I have heard about this. Thats awesome!

 

pretty cheap, i think it was actually 23 but either way it for the life of your tires. For 20 bucks you cant go wrong, they say it prolongs the treadlife of your tire, and improves gas mileage, im sure not signifcantly though.