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N2 FAQ List:
Does a tire filled with dry nitrogen have a more consistent pressure? Do nitrogen-filled tires run cooler? Do nitrogen-filled tires deliver better fuel economy? Do nitrogen-filled tires lose pressure more slowly? Why do commercial airliners use nitrogen in their tires? Why do trucks use nitrogen in their tires? Why do race cars use nitrogen in their tires? Does nitrogen eliminate tire oxidation/aging on cars or motorcycles? Does nitrogen eliminate rim oxidation/ damage? Will nitrogen eliminate the crud that might otherwise keep my valves from sealing properly? So, for the average car/bike owner… nitrogen or air?
Elsewhere:
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![]() Does nitrogen eliminate rim oxidation/damage?
The partial pressure of oxygen comes into play again, as does the presence of moisture, and the susceptibility of the rim material to oxidation. Aluminum tends to form a protective oxide coating that inhibits further oxidation; this is generally not true of steel, which (if the paint somehow gets damaged) will rust and then flake away to expose underlying metal. Most truck rims are steel (and at 100 psi have a high pp of O2), and are expected to travel many hundreds of thousands of miles, so nitrogen may offer benefits for them if the rim’s paint is compromised. On a car or bike operated at 40 psi, the pp of O2 is lower; they’re usually aluminum rims; and most folks sell the car or bike before it hits 100K miles. I change my own bike tires, and after 120K+ miles, I haven’t seen any signs of rim corrosion.
Questions? Comments? Email me! ©2006, Mitchell P. Patrie |