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MNBoxster · 10-13-2005, 08:31 AM

Hi,

There are some advantages for running Nitrogen (N) in your tires, but for certain circumstances.

The Aircraft I flew in the Navy had their tires filled with N but for safety. There was less potential for the tires to start a fire if they blew on impact during recovery (a very bad thing). Also, because of the low (Read none) humidity potential, the tires stayed supple after high altitude flying with it's sub-zero temperatures.

Racers use N in tires to again reduce the fire potential and run cooler. Many Museums and people who store a car long-term will use N to prevent Dry-Rotting the Tires. Also, running with pure N also decreases the running temp of the tire.

Some other advantages include slightly decreased potential to corrode the wheels, and slightly less loss of inflation due to seepage.

But, there are really no measurable benefits to running a street car with Nitrogen filled tires. You rarely run the tires long enough or Fast enough to approach the maximum allowable heat of the tire. You need to check your tire pressures regularly anyway, so using a gas which seeps less, doesn't eliminate the need to check this, and any delayed dry-rot is minimal on a regularly driven tire because you're gonna wear it out well before dry-rot takes over. And, you reduce the number of potential fill-up spots which can actually lead you to drive on underinflated tires until you can get to your favorite supply of Nitrogen.

All this said, I do fill several of my cars' tires with Nitrogen. My Formula Vee (for fire safety and cooler running), my Esprit and 240Z because I usually put less than 2k mi. on each annually. I use a Nitrogen bottle I get from a welding supply for about $25 + the initial cost of the regulator. But, our Daily Drivers and my Boxster I run on good ol' air because they're run so regularly, there's little benefit to be had from switching to Nitrogen.

Filling tires with Nitrogen isn't at all a new idea, it's just now that the general public is becoming aware of it and so it's the new Fad. Hope this helps...

Happy Motoring!...Jim'99

10-13-2005, 08:31 AM	#2
MNBoxster Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, USA Posts: 3,308	Hi, There are some advantages for running Nitrogen (N) in your tires, but for certain circumstances. The Aircraft I flew in the Navy had their tires filled with N but for safety. There was less potential for the tires to start a fire if they blew on impact during recovery (a very bad thing). Also, because of the low (Read none) humidity potential, the tires stayed supple after high altitude flying with it's sub-zero temperatures. Racers use N in tires to again reduce the fire potential and run cooler. Many Museums and people who store a car long-term will use N to prevent Dry-Rotting the Tires. Also, running with pure N also decreases the running temp of the tire. Some other advantages include slightly decreased potential to corrode the wheels, and slightly less loss of inflation due to seepage. But, there are really no measurable benefits to running a street car with Nitrogen filled tires. You rarely run the tires long enough or Fast enough to approach the maximum allowable heat of the tire. You need to check your tire pressures regularly anyway, so using a gas which seeps less, doesn't eliminate the need to check this, and any delayed dry-rot is minimal on a regularly driven tire because you're gonna wear it out well before dry-rot takes over. And, you reduce the number of potential fill-up spots which can actually lead you to drive on underinflated tires until you can get to your favorite supply of Nitrogen. All this said, I do fill several of my cars' tires with Nitrogen. My Formula Vee (for fire safety and cooler running), my Esprit and 240Z because I usually put less than 2k mi. on each annually. I use a Nitrogen bottle I get from a welding supply for about $25 + the initial cost of the regulator. But, our Daily Drivers and my Boxster I run on good ol' air because they're run so regularly, there's little benefit to be had from switching to Nitrogen. Filling tires with Nitrogen isn't at all a new idea, it's just now that the general public is becoming aware of it and so it's the new Fad. Hope this helps... Happy Motoring!...Jim'99