Nitrogen Filled Tires - Is It Worth The Cost???

[nsxt2000]

Today I stopped by an Atlanta area Acura dealer to drop my wife's MDX off for a service. While being "written up" I noticed a large sign offering a special of only $39.95 to have your tires inflated with nitrogen instead of just that cheap "air". Among the benefits touted were - eliminates moisture, retains pressure much better, runs cooler, promotes uniform tire wear, better milege, answers the question of which came first, the chicken or the egg, cures cancer, etc.

O.K., the last two were added to see if you were paying attention. But there are many web sites that extole the benefits of a nitrogen filled tire. And there are many that say it is smoke & mirrors for the most part with negligible quantative benefits. Frankly I am leaning towards the latter.

Any forum members actually used nitrogen in their tires and if so what is your opinion?

Oh, I failed to mention that the $39.95 offer is nitrogen "top offs" for the life of the tire and covers all four.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post - "Perrier In The Radiator - Is It Worth The $325.00 Fill Up?"
-Mike S.

[20Michael03]

I had been thinking about doing this for a quite a considerable amount of time. I just can't get myself to pay that much, at least not yet. Then again if it saves me from having to air up the tires alot and getting my hands dirty, then it can't be that bad lol.

[nsxt2000]

Check out our muscle car forum for an excellent evaluation of the benefits of using Nitrogen in your tires. Although I was skeptical the persuasive argument in favor of nitrogen filled tires convinced me to take another look.

Click the link at the bottom of our site to get to the muscle car forum.
-Mike S.

[Randy]

My thoughts on this...why bother?

I can't imagine someone spending money on Nitrogen when the "free" air you breathe works just as well.

I have read numerous articles on the subject and could never justify spending money on Nitrogen.

Bottom line for me....if you check your tires air pressure on a regular basis(monthly) you shouldn't have to worry about losing air.

This is the last line from a Shop Talk from Acura Canada;

So here’s the bottom line: Nitrogen is an ideal gas for inflating tires in aircraft, military vehicles, race cars, and heavy off-road equipment, but when it comes to automobile tires, it offers no apparent advantages over ordinary, dry compressed air. Our advice to you: Just stick with the air you breathe.

If I get a chance,I will post the whole artical.

[nsxt2000]

As indicated, I too am skeptical about the value for most of us, but do take a look at our muscle car forum for a pretty persuasive in depth review of nitrogen filled tires. Visit www.musclecargroups.com. You may leave thinking differently about the subject.
-Mike S.

[Randy]

Some good points for sure.I guess it all depends on who is writing the artical.The guy that is selling the Nitrogen or the guy that has to pay for it.;)

I still can't wrap my head around this idea.It almost makes you think you don't have to check your tire pressures with Nitrogen.Ask any tire manufacturer and they will all recommend you check your pressures monthly to insure the most life out of your tires reguardless of what you are filling them with.

Unless I start driving race cars,I will stick with the free air.:)

[Jeff]

I ran nitrogen in my tires for about a year or so, I can honestly say it made no difference in any respect. I have a friend that works for Costco and I would get top ups for free, so I never introduced "free" air the whole time. It wasn`t until I got a puncture that I decided to abandon my test with nitrogen.

[QBoroLegend]

Some good points for sure.I guess it all depends on who is writing the artical.The guy that is selling the Nitrogen or the guy that has to pay for it.;)

As a rule, I cannot fully trust a guy trying to "sell", he's gonna lie to make the deal. can't help himself, it's apart of the job.

Anyhoo, I would only PAY for something of that nature if my driving is making me money to offset the cost (racing, offroading or if I am Haliburton) but other than that for every day, gotta say no -

PLUS, especially in NYC - I would be a lot more pissed if one of our famous pot holes and jagged curbs cost me $40 instead of the normal .50c (or free depending on which station you go to).

[nsxt2000]

I was talking with an Acura tech yesterday and in passing asked him what he thought about using Nitrogen in your tires. Although his dealership pushes it, his opinion was that for most of us good 'ol free breathable air (unless you happen to live in Los Angeles) works fine.

He also added that he heard Nitrogen can affect the TPMS - "Tire Pressure Monitoring System". Is anyone familiar with that result???
-Mike S.

[Randy]

No I really don't think that nitrogen would cause any problems with the TPMS.

Moisture in the tire could cause problems but I really doubt nitrogen would.