Delica Canada | Mitsubishi Van Club

I overheard some folks talking about filling their tyres up with Nitrogen gas. I wasn't close enough to hear much more of the conversation. Has anyone here done that? Is it mere silliness, or is it something one should consider if they are spending my K's on the highway and in the bush?

Costco does that with all their tires. I believe the Nissan GTR was the first vehicle to have that as standard.

The compression ratio is better (that's what I've heard at least) I'm guessing that means it expands and contracts less in different temperatures and may handle a bit better as well!? I've never noticed a difference driving on air or Nitrogen.

nxski wrote:The compression ratio is better (that's what I've heard at least) I'm guessing that means it expands and contracts less in different temperatures and may handle a bit better as well!?

Theoretically the benefits of Nitrogen vs 'Air' is the absence of Oxygen (a highly reductive substance that can react with the rubber leading to wear from the inside out) and the absence of any Water vapour (that can condense inside the tire and cause some rusting to the interior of the rim or valve stem). They also say it takes longer for Nitrogen to escape vis diffusion through the tire than Oxygen so you need to touch up your tire pressure less often.

In reality remember that 'air' is pretty much 80% Nitrogen and only 20% oxygen to begin with. For a normal person who uses tires normally (ie a new set every 5-10 years at most) the actual benefit of using pure nitrogen is negligible and a waste of money. The amount of damage from the environment (ie UV light and chemicals on the road) the exterior of your tire receives everyday regardless is far greater than the amount of damage that any oxygen inside it causes. If the tire shop is filling with nitrogen for free then take it but imo it is not worth paying extra for.

psilosin wrote:imo it is not worth paying extra for.

That's what I thought, too. I like the Helium idea. A party gag in your tyres!

bassnailer wrote:

psilosin wrote:imo it is not worth paying extra for.

That's what I thought, too. I like the Helium idea. A party gag in your tyres!

Plus helium will make your Deli lighter, increasing fuel mileage /junkscience

i work with nitrogen n2 for a living using millions of cubic meters a year ...best thing its inert non flamable...it do expand and contract ..it do contain moisure in tires because its inpossible to get the mostiure out befor starting ..in my opinion its a waste of money but to each its own ..i use it in my rigs when i get a flat in the field because its free
n2 expands over 700 times its size from a liquid to a gas
and starts to boil in liquid form at -196 degrees c