Nitrogen in the tires

UnSub · #1 (**permalink**) 07-03-2007, 10:04 PM

I visited a Toyota dealer today and every vehicle I saw had green caps on the valve stems. These were to indicate the tires were filled with nitrogen instead of air. The new salesman said this eliminated the change in pressure when the temperature changed and also made the tires run cooler. As I was leaving I noticed each vehicle had a mark up of $295.00 for this "modification"! Has anyone heard of this? Could there be a benefit that would be worth the extra money or is this just another rip off? My gut tells me to go elsewhere.

SOSHeloPilot · #2 (**permalink**) 07-03-2007, 10:20 PM

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I think that COSTCO .. (in Dunwoody/Sandy Springs, GA -- burb of Atlanta) .. puts the nitrogen in for FREE ??? ....... If not FREE, then almost FREE.

The cost to put nitrogen in a tire is very low. ...... Sounds like another way for a dealer to make a zillion % markup on another item.

SOS

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robbob · #3 (**permalink**) 07-03-2007, 10:23 PM

I think Discount tire charges about $25 to fill your tires with nitrogen. It does reduce the pressure change due to temperature. Simple physics and ideal gas law Ideal gas law - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia . The coefficient of expansion for nitrogen is less than that for oxygen. But since normal air is only 21% oxygen I can't see it being a massive difference without running the numbers.

Another article about the subject » Nitrogen-Filled Tires & Better Gas Mileage?*on*Blueprint for Financial Prosperity

I can't speak to running cooler, but I would tend to doubt that unless it is somehow a function of running closer to proper pressure all the time.

I recall from my days in the Navy that the tires on our aircraft were filled with dry nitrogen.

Robert

SoCal-SR5 · #4 (**permalink**) 07-03-2007, 10:30 PM

Yes, Nitrogen is something new the dealerships are trying, I am a pit crew member for a local Nascar team and we have been running our tires with nitrogen for about two years now. There are different characteristics between the two, When it comes to tire inflation, nitrogen has many advantages over oxygen. With nitrogen tire inflation, improvements can be noted in a vehicle's handling, fuel efficiency and tire life through better tire pressure retention, improved fuel economy and cooler running tire temperatures. But the fact that the Dealerships are charging $300 for this add on, Its a rip off by the dealership. Nitrogen can be found for way cheaper at an aftermarket tire chain. Just make should there is no oxygen/nitrogen mix in your tires (80%Nitro/20%Oxy) Its all or nothing.

Hispeed · #5 (**permalink**) 07-03-2007, 10:31 PM

$295!!!!
NFW
I paid $5 per tire at my local tire store.
Your dealer should be taken out back & soundly beaten with a large stick.
Tire temperatures are cooler & pressures are more stable.
The biggest advantage for me has to do with the puny tires on my wife's PT Cruiser. I used to have to service them every week or so. I changed to nitrogen in February and haven't had to service them once since.

Mr. Creosote · #6 (**permalink**) 07-04-2007, 01:53 AM

I guess it can't hurt, but IMO for passenger vehicles it sounds unnecessary.

Mr. Creosote · #7 (**permalink**) 07-04-2007, 01:53 AM

Oh wow, awesome looking cats.

RitcheyRch · #8 (**permalink**) 07-04-2007, 01:58 AM

I have been running Nitrogen in my tires for about the past 10-15 years. I went and bought my own tank and all the necessary hoses and valves. I think I paid about $200 for everything. It costs about $15 to fill up my huge tank which last for a few years since only need it now for maintenance which is low with Nitrogen.

I got the idea of using Nitrogen from working at Boeing and McDonnell Douglas for years. Nitrogen is used in aircraft tires.

toyotasmart · #9 (**permalink**) 07-05-2007, 01:03 AM

Nitrogen in your tires is a very sensible thing but $295 is not. Tire stores and car dealerships charge between $10 and $15 per tire. That is, unless some other benefits like a tire warranty came with it. If so $295 might be a good value. I found this web site which give a great view on nitrogen in tires. Nitrogen in Tires : Information about Nitrogen Tire Inflation News, Benefits, Generator Dealers, Location Finder & More

Bottom line...nitrogen is good and should become standard on Toyotas some time in the future.

InvisableOne · #10 (**permalink**) 07-05-2007, 02:49 AM

lol if u are payin for nitrogen then u are gettin ripped off. i work for costco and i get nitro for free .they arent gonna charge u. it jus sucks for us tire guys at costco cuz it takes time away from us from workin on other cars. bt it is free and it does benifit u in alot of ways.

1. it doesnt leak out as fast as oxygen. oxygen leaks 3-4 pounds a month while nitro only leaks out 1-2 pounds a month.

2. it doesnt heat up as fast as regular oxygen. meaning if u race or drive around alot the air pressure isnt gonna over inflate ur tires.

3. benifits the life of the tires.

4. better gas mileage.

tatz about it that i can think of

just stop by ur local costco and ask them for a pamlet of nitrogen

kellyn8 · #11 (**permalink**) 07-05-2007, 03:23 AM

Not sure if this has been mentioned but another benefit of Nitrogen is that it's 100% free of water as opposed to the "gas station" air which will have a certain % water/condensation to it.

Dave_In_WPB · #12 (**permalink**) 07-05-2007, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hkiser

I visited a Toyota dealer today and every vehicle I saw had green caps on the valve stems. These were to indicate the tires were filled with nitrogen instead of air. The new salesman said this eliminated the change in pressure when the temperature changed and also made the tires run cooler. As I was leaving I noticed each vehicle had a mark up of $295.00 for this "modification"! Has anyone heard of this? Could there be a benefit that would be worth the extra money or is this just another rip off? My gut tells me to go elsewhere.

My selling dealer put it into my tires after I purchased the truck, and it was 29.95.
I did notice that the tire pressure stays constant for all the tires. I dont know if it is related to the nitro-fill or the better seal at the valve stem with toyota's TPMS system....hmmm

I do get great gas mileage, but who knows if it is directly related; as, it has been in the tires from day one, so I have no baseline for comparison.

Nitrogen Tire Inflation Systems by Nitrofill

benbeaux · #13 (**permalink**) 07-05-2007, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hkiser

I visited a Toyota dealer today and every vehicle I saw had green caps on the valve stems. These were to indicate the tires were filled with nitrogen instead of air. The new salesman said this eliminated the change in pressure when the temperature changed and also made the tires run cooler. As I was leaving I noticed each vehicle had a mark up of $295.00 for this "modification"! Has anyone heard of this? Could there be a benefit that would be worth the extra money or is this just another rip off? My gut tells me to go elsewhere.

Was it Sport City, by chance? Those clowns are ripoffs. Not even artists, but just thugs.

I had a friend buying a Camry there, so I clued her in on what it should cost & how to play their game. When she went back to sign the papers, she whipped out the numbers I gave her & got another $2500 off the car. The salesman went from Rico Suave to fit throwing idiot. He snatched the stupid little first aid kit out of the trunk before she drove off. What a clown.

These bozos had $600 window tint, $150 locking lugs & $100 pin striping on the add-on price sheet. I tell ya, it was like stepping back 20 years to when I bought my first Toyota. I wouldn't be surprised if they were the ones with $300 nitrogen.

UnSub · #14 (**permalink**) 07-05-2007, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benbeaux

Was it Sport City, by chance? Those clowns are ripoffs. Not even artists, but just thugs.

I had a friend buying a Camry there, so I clued her in on what it should cost & how to play their game. When she went back to sign the papers, she whipped out the numbers I gave her & got another $2500 off the car. The salesman went from Rico Suave to fit throwing idiot. He snatched the stupid little first aid kit out of the trunk before she drove off. What a clown.

These bozos had $600 window tint, $150 locking lugs & $100 pin striping on the add-on price sheet. I tell ya, it was like stepping back 20 years to when I bought my first Toyota. I wouldn't be surprised if they were the ones with $300 nitrogen.

You hit the nail on the head! It was indeed Sport City. I was thinking of using the service department but I am concerned they would try and rip me off also.

dsrtrcr01 · #15 (**permalink**) 07-05-2007, 05:58 PM

I run Helium. Makes my truck lighter so I get better gas mileage and It rides like I am driving on clouds. OH wait!!!