Anyone using nitrogen in their tires?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 32,934
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From: Carlsbad, CA
So if the installer doesnt vacuum out all the ambient air from a tire, and then adds 100% nitrogen, the final mixture will likely be something like 90% nitrogen
But, Ive noticed my tire pressure, especially in my rear tire, increases significantly at speed. It would be interesting to take a ride in similar conditions at freeways speed with both ambient air, and purer nitrogen to see the difference.
But, Ive noticed my tire pressure, especially in my rear tire, increases significantly at speed. It would be interesting to take a ride in similar conditions at freeways speed with both ambient air, and purer nitrogen to see the difference.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,182
Likes: 719
From: Indianapolis
Nitrogen seeps out through the rubber slower than oxygen.
Unless your bike is parked on a concrete floor, and then the concrete sucks the air right through the tread. That's why you have to park the bike on a scrap of carpet.
If you start out with the "standard" 78% nitrogen blend, as your tire loses pressure, more oxygen seeps out than nitrogen, so now your tire is more than 78% nitrogen.
As days and weeks go by, and you continue to add "air" to your tires, the nitrogen percent continues to rise higher and higher, until you are asymptotically approaching 100% nitrogen.
For free.
You're welcome.
Unless your bike is parked on a concrete floor, and then the concrete sucks the air right through the tread. That's why you have to park the bike on a scrap of carpet.
If you start out with the "standard" 78% nitrogen blend, as your tire loses pressure, more oxygen seeps out than nitrogen, so now your tire is more than 78% nitrogen.
As days and weeks go by, and you continue to add "air" to your tires, the nitrogen percent continues to rise higher and higher, until you are asymptotically approaching 100% nitrogen.
For free.
You're welcome.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 3,336
Likes: 1,281
From: Ky
Nitrogen molecules are larger so theoretically they should not leak as quickly as the 'blended' stuff. I check pressures on both cars and both bikes every couple of weeks anyway so I think that I'll skip that added expense. (I've learned that the Harley and one of the cars do need air pretty regularly, while the '85 944 never needs air - ever. Luck of the draw I guess.
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
NO. Molecular nitrogen is actually smaller than molecular oxygen and will leak faster than oxygen. It's how nitrogen separation membranes work. People believe this myth because it's temperature stable and don't get the normal loss of pressure when it starts getting cold out.
Say it isn't so!
Oh...wait...perhaps you're the one that's incorrect...
"Nitrogen molecules (N2) are larger than oxygen molecules (O2) so therefore, pure nitrogen will permeate the walls of your tires less than oxygen molecules. But by how much?
Well, a nitrogen molecule measures roughly 300 picometers while an oxygen molecule measures 292 picometers. That’s only a 2.6% difference in size. One picometer is equal to one trillionth of a meter (1 m / 1,000,000,000,000)."
Consumer Reports did a study in 2006 where they measured pressure loss of nitrogen-filled Vs air-filled tires over a one year period. They took 31 pairs of all season, automotive tires (H and V speed rated). One tire of each pair was filled to 30 psi with air, the other tire from the pair was filled to 30 psi with nitrogen. All 31 pairs were then set aside, outdoors for 12 months.
Their conclusion was that nitrogen does reduce tire pressure loss over time, but the reduction is only 1.3 psi.
Air-filled tires, originally filled to 30 psi lost 3.5 psi over a one year period.
Nitrogen-filled to the same starting pressure of 30 psi lost 2.2 psi over the same period.
More importantly ALL tires lost pressure, so consumers should check their tire pressures routinely regardless of the gas used.
Last edited by IdahoHacker; Aug 23, 2021 at 06:15 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Snow Hill, NC
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,182
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From: Indianapolis
I had it backwards. O2 is a denser molecule. But, you also can't ignore the reactivity of O2 being a factor too. The bottom line, it's a gimmick. You're better off spending the money on a tire gauge and using it often (especially on a motorcycle).
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
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From: 40.2444° N, 75.6419° W
I was an inspection mechanic years ago and had a fella bring his Dodge truck in, the truck was on the lift and he told me to "not worry about the tire pressures, they have nitrogen in 'em, it's what they run at NASCAR..." i was in a mood and being the smartass i was/am said "oh really? is this a race truck...?"...awkward silence...