Nitrogen Results

[danoday]

OK, there are a couple of threads about this, but probably worthwhile to create a new one.

I got my regular oil change in my 2005 Package #6 a week ago, and found that my normal service place has added a nitrogen filler to their shop. Figured that the $30 expense was worth trying once, but didn't expect any serious changes out of it. Pumped the tires to 42 PSI.

Surprisingly, on the first tankful, I averaged just under 8 mpg higher for the same type of driving (same basic route, same area) per the onboard computer. I live at high altitude, and rarely get more than 43-44 mpg, although this improves if I go to a lower altitude (like the SF bay area). Still, this latest tank was 51.6 mpg.

Was it a fluke? I don't know, but am watching this second tank closely and seeing similar results so far. Has anyone else tried this and tracked their improvements? Post your results here!

Dan

[morpheusx]

keep us posted, I'd be interested if it wasn't a fluke.

[a priori]

I'm at a loss to see how this would help your mileage numbers.

The use of nitrogen is promoted as a safety feature, because there is no oxygen to degrade the tires or oxidize the wheels. There also is some anectodal evidence that tires filled with nitrogen (at 95% nitrogen, vs. the 80% nitrogen that you get when filling your tires with air) will hold pressure longer. This would lead to fewer blowouts from overheating, I'm certain, but the better bet is simply to check tire pressure regularly.

Is it possible your increase in mpgs is related more to warming air temperatures than anything else?

[danoday]

Originally Posted by a priori

I'm at a loss to see how this would help your mileage numbers.

That makes two of us. I did get the oil changed the same day, which could account for a bit better mileage (but hasn't really changed it significantly in the past). They didn't replace the air filter or do any other work, so it was just oil and nitrogen (and probably more washer fluid, if you want to get picky!).

I don't know how full the tires were previously, though... they may have been less that 42 PSI, and that could have caused a change. Weather differences, though, aren't likely, as the weather and overall temperature were about the same between the two most recent tanks.

Planning to watch the next few tanks closely, but if anyone else has tried this and noticed a change, I'd like to hear about it in this thread.

Dan

[hyo silver]

Helium should get you even better mileage, because the car will be lighter, right?

[a priori]

Originally Posted by danoday

That makes two of us.

Thank you! There may even be more of us around!

Originally Posted by danoday

I don't know how full the tires were previously, though... they may have been less that 42 PSI, and that could have caused a change.

This seems a more likely culprit. It very well could be that your tire pressure had started in teh low 30s and dropped, if you weren't checking it regularly. Many people report increased MPGs just from raising the tire pressure. I've set mine pretty high, and I think it helps. And I'm just using 80% nitrogen, not the 95-100% stuff.

[OrlandoGuy]

I have been using nitrogen in my tires for a couple of years and, speaking from only my experience, a statistical pool of 1, which may not be very accurate, found that there is a much slower rate of bleed down of tire pressure. So slow that I am only loosing a pound or two between rotations/balancing each 5k.

It was so good that I tried it in my bicycle tires....but alas, not as much of a benefit there.

[qbee42]

There is no causal effect whatsoever, nor can there be due to simple physics. Look elsewhere for your mileage gain, perhaps increased tire pressure or warmer weather.

Tom

[Sheepdog]

I have used N2 since my first day almost 2 months ago. TP is exactly what it was the day I left the lot. Im boosting it to 42 or 44 when I have my first service. If it's good enough for all the airlines, military, nasa, and nascar; I fail to see why you guys are so tuff to please!

[a priori]

Originally Posted by Sheepdog

I have used N2 since my first day almost 2 months ago. TP is exactly what it was the day I left the lot. Im boosting it to 42 or 44 when I have my first service. If it's good enough for all the airlines, military, nasa, and nascar; I fail to see why you guys are so tuff to please!

I use N2/02/junk (air), and I've been able to maintain great tire pressure. I had a noticeable drop in only one tire across a four-month stretch of winter. I think having higher pressure on the tires also makes it easier to maintain that pressure, but that is a "pool of 1" survey, as well.

I'm not too worried about damage to the tires from oxidation. I'll likely lose tread before the tire starts deteriorating. We are not trying to extend the lives of exceptionally valuable tires.