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I had forgotten that this was done in racing but can't imagine why you would want this for a commuter vehicle. I assumed they were just adding a line item to th

by gmarx 4y ago

I had forgotten that this was done in racing but can't imagine why you would want this for a commuter vehicle. I assumed they were just adding a line item to the bill and nitrogen made it sound more legit. But now that you mention it maybe they were offering to fill the tires with nitrogen like in the race cars but then just using regular air because really how would the customer know?

mh8h 4y ago
The argument is that Nitrogen would have lower moisture content than air, and that allegedly reduces corrosion in the tires and wheels. Also Nitrogen filled tires lose pressure more slowly, because Nitrogen molecules are larger. The difference is not significant.
- HeyLaughingBoy 4y ago
  > Nitrogen molecules are larger. That's what they told me at the dealership too. I asked "larger than what? Air is a mixture that's already 78% nitrogen." Didn't get an answer. As far as the lower moisture content, couldn't they pass the air through an air dryer before filling the tire if it was that much of an issue? Regardless, the outside of the tires & wheels are exposed to far more corrosive materials.
  - tmh88j 4y ago
    >That's what they told me at the dealership too. I asked "larger than what? Air is a mixture that's already 78% nitrogen." Didn't get an answer. No idea about molecule size, but the reason for nitrogen is that it expands less than air when heated, so tire pressure doesn't change as much when driving hard on a track. > As far as the lower moisture content, couldn't they pass the air through an air dryer before filling the tire if it was that much of an issue? Yes, this point is some dealership BS. Pretty much every auto shop will have a dedicated air line for filling tires, if not the whole system with an air dryer.
    - mikestew 4y ago
      When I was a pro mechanic, the whole compressed air system had moisture removal, because I don't want that shit in my air tools, either. I don't know about Costco, but of the shops I know of, it's one big compressor for tools, tires, etc.
    - growse 4y ago
      > >That's what they told me at the dealership too. I asked "larger than what? Air is a mixture that's already 78% nitrogen." Didn't get an answer. > No idea about molecule size, but the reason for nitrogen is that it expands less than air when heated, so tire pressure doesn't change as much when driving hard on a track. Pressure/temperature/volume for any gas are governed by the ideal gas law, which doesn't care what your molecules are. (Sure, it's an approximation, but certainly one that's imperceptibly reliable enough for car tyres).

by gmarx 4y ago

mh8h 4y ago

The argument is that Nitrogen would have lower moisture content than air, and that allegedly reduces corrosion in the tires and wheels. Also Nitrogen filled tires lose pressure more slowly, because Nitrogen molecules are larger. The difference is not significant.

HeyLaughingBoy 4y ago
> Nitrogen molecules are larger. That's what they told me at the dealership too. I asked "larger than what? Air is a mixture that's already 78% nitrogen." Didn't get an answer. As far as the lower moisture content, couldn't they pass the air through an air dryer before filling the tire if it was that much of an issue? Regardless, the outside of the tires & wheels are exposed to far more corrosive materials.
- tmh88j 4y ago
  >That's what they told me at the dealership too. I asked "larger than what? Air is a mixture that's already 78% nitrogen." Didn't get an answer. No idea about molecule size, but the reason for nitrogen is that it expands less than air when heated, so tire pressure doesn't change as much when driving hard on a track. > As far as the lower moisture content, couldn't they pass the air through an air dryer before filling the tire if it was that much of an issue? Yes, this point is some dealership BS. Pretty much every auto shop will have a dedicated air line for filling tires, if not the whole system with an air dryer.
  - mikestew 4y ago
    When I was a pro mechanic, the whole compressed air system had moisture removal, because I don't want that shit in my air tools, either. I don't know about Costco, but of the shops I know of, it's one big compressor for tools, tires, etc.
  - growse 4y ago
    > >That's what they told me at the dealership too. I asked "larger than what? Air is a mixture that's already 78% nitrogen." Didn't get an answer. > No idea about molecule size, but the reason for nitrogen is that it expands less than air when heated, so tire pressure doesn't change as much when driving hard on a track. Pressure/temperature/volume for any gas are governed by the ideal gas law, which doesn't care what your molecules are. (Sure, it's an approximation, but certainly one that's imperceptibly reliable enough for car tyres).