Hey everyone,
Just curious if anyone on here uses Nitrogen to fill their tires?
I know there is some advantages with MPG and handling, but i want to hear your opinions for AutoX, Drag (slicks, drag radials).
We have a nitrogen tank at my shop, so i can get it for free.
or

 

Not true. The rate at which nitrogen-filled tires lose pressure over time is slightly better than air-filled tires, but if you check the pressures (and adjust, if necessary) at least once every month or two like you should, the difference there is insignificant. (Underinflated tires resulting from faster loss of air is the only claimed reason for better MPG.) Nitrogen has zero effect on handling.

It won't hurt anything, so if it's free for you and you want to use it, go for it. But it's not going to do anything significant for you over plain old air (which is already 78 percent nitrogen).

References:
Scientific American
Consumer Reports
Car Talk
Ask.com
Hot Cup of Joe

 

^^well stated. The only reason why i would run Nitrogen is lower maintainability with air pressure. But that still would'nt deter me from checking air pressure levels at least once a month. And at least once every two weeks over winter months due to climatic changes.

 

With nitrogen you can end up with less water vapor in the tire compared to a typical air pump, you'll have less pressure change with temp change on track. It is beneficial, but only if you can keep the moisture out.

Since auto-x and drag was mentioned, I figured I'd add the performance benefit of nitrogen. It isn't from the nitrogen itself, its from a reduction in moisture. Of course, since you can adjust pressure after a single run for both of those activities, the benefit is rather limited. Extended track time would gain more from having less pressure change with temp change.

 

Thanks guys!!
Great info, much appreciated. I might just try both on the same race day or something and i'll let you know, if any, the differences i experience!

 

You will likely not find any difference at all. We found that that nitrogen builds less pressure and heat than air, loses less psi overtime, but the differences are insignificant. But if you have the option for free, why not? I just wouldn't be persuaded to buy from a place just based on the fact they use nitrogen instead of air.

 

AS stated, since you get it free, I would do it, but you won't see any real difference unless you are tracking the car with regularity. I am starting to do it in mine but only for the same reason, it's free. I'm not going to pay for it...

 

I am a service advisor for a living and sell "nitrogen conversions" for tires, and while the pitch sounds great....you will not see a major change in anything. The pitch is nitrogen has less of a pressure change due to temp thus preventing underinflated/overinflated tires, increasing gas mileage. the difference is not going to be noticable. That being said, I do run it in all 3 of my cars and have noticed a bit smoother ride (not night and day, but slighty better), and maybe just maybe a touch better tread life for the tires. Then again the tread life thing might just be me drinking my own kool-aid!!!! haha