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:
Will nitrogen eliminate the crud that might otherwise keep my valves from sealing properly?
If you’ve got a steel rim in rough shape with lots of rust and crud bouncing around inside the tire, it’s conceivable that you could get a tiny piece that at some point lands at the base of the valve stem and gets blasted into the valve’s sealing area next time you check the pressure. But that’s a filling valve, and you’re not supposed to be relying on it for long-term sealing; this is what valve caps are for. Goodyear is pretty specific about using valve caps, going so far as to specify metal valve caps for high pressure aircraft tires (click here, see page 24).
Questions? Comments? Email me!
©2006, Mitchell P. Patrie