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SuggTX Rookie Author Fort Worth Posts:6 Points:60,520 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jun 19, 2011 9:59:03 PM Ignore SuggTX Report Abuse I bought a 2011 GMC yesterday, and noticed the valve stems all have a chrome cap and the symbol for Nitrogen (N2). Does it really make a difference in fuel economy? The dealer said nothing about it, and there is nothing on the sticker or owners manual regarding N2 in the tires. I'm really wondering why it's in there at all.

SuggTX

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Fort Worth

Posts:6
Points:60,520
Joined:Feb 2011

Message Posted: Jun 19, 2011 9:59:03 PM

Ignore SuggTX Report Abuse

I bought a 2011 GMC yesterday, and noticed the valve stems all have a chrome cap and the symbol for Nitrogen (N2).

Does it really make a difference in fuel economy?

The dealer said nothing about it, and there is nothing on the sticker or owners manual regarding N2 in the tires. I'm really wondering why it's in there at all.

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martiansoldier Veteran Author Massachusetts Posts:321 Points:107,765 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Jul 17, 2011 2:27:59 PM Ignore martiansoldier Report Abuse Air
wdpower Rookie Author Miami Posts:7 Points:39,330 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Jul 11, 2011 10:21:33 AM Ignore wdpower Report Abuse I use air, but then again I "drive" a car, not a 747. N2 came from use on airplanes due the the drastic and extreme temp changes. standing still in freezing temps at 30k feet to 250mph at seal level and instant heat up. tires with air may burst and explode due to the O2, N2 is an inert gas and may only pop if a tire bursts. I work for a high line car dealer in West Palm, FL. We have a N2 generator but only for topping off car that already have Nitro filled tires. We dont see any true benefits other than to make money off people.
schiguy24 Rookie Author West Virginia Posts:60 Points:149,430 Joined:Sep 2010	Message Posted: Jul 11, 2011 5:18:03 AM Ignore schiguy24 Report Abuse most of the time they charge extra for it
calypso93 Champion Author Scranton Posts:11,208 Points:1,292,610 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2011 3:52:04 PM Ignore calypso93 Report Abuse I'd ask them what % you actually have in there after they fill them with their nitrogen. If they say 100%, thy're not too swift.
NicoBC Rookie Author British Columbia Posts:15 Points:47,955 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jul 10, 2011 12:14:49 AM Ignore NicoBC Report Abuse Air, as stated before, its mostly Nitrogen anyways, unless it wasn't something i specifically had to pay extra for when buying my tires.
feldos Champion Author Florida Posts:2,640 Points:549,750 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jul 9, 2011 4:46:54 PM Ignore feldos Report Abuse boyrr "I use a mixed gas,78.09% nitrogen,20.95% oxygen, 0.93% argon, 0.03% carbon dioxide and 0.003% of other trace gases. It works great!!!!" ************************************************************************** Where would one perchance find a complex blend of gases such as this, with this great preponderance of nitrogen?? lol ;-)
Tundralimited2009 Champion Author Dallas Posts:38,812 Points:1,447,425 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Jul 9, 2011 12:16:43 PM Ignore Tundralimited2009 Report Abuse Ask the Dealer...
kathomps71 Sophomore Author Arkansas Posts:115 Points:31,475 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jul 9, 2011 8:26:53 AM Ignore kathomps71 Report Abuse air
Boyrr Champion Author Allentown Posts:15,186 Points:3,164,855 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jul 9, 2011 7:37:40 AM Ignore Boyrr Report Abuse I use a mixed gas,78.09% nitrogen,20.95% oxygen, 0.93% argon, 0.03% carbon dioxide and 0.003% of other trace gases. It works great!!!!
FieroGT Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:14,327 Points:2,507,085 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Jul 8, 2011 1:01:02 PM Ignore FieroGT Report Abuse I think N2 is more stable ... less sensitive to temperature changes.
Conan1 Champion Author Kentucky Posts:3,994 Points:1,107,305 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 7, 2011 11:30:14 PM Ignore Conan1 Report Abuse Air only. N2 is a scam perpetuated by the same companies that are pushing carbon credits. At 79% N2 in the air, why would anyone want to pay money. Its just lazy to not check the pressure in your tires and refill as needed. Especially with the TPMS most cars have now. If O2 molecules leak out faster then eventually all that will be left in your tires should be nitrogen and free to boot!
roadrunnin Champion Author Richmond Posts:1,760 Points:566,955 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jul 7, 2011 10:39:00 PM Ignore roadrunnin Report Abuse N2 has kept me from having to adjust my tire pressure as often.
driven2save All-Star Author Georgia Posts:566 Points:105,630 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jul 7, 2011 4:40:38 PM Ignore driven2save Report Abuse air
Yoronefuely Champion Author South Carolina Posts:3,242 Points:150,795 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jul 7, 2011 3:59:00 PM Ignore Yoronefuely Report Abuse Air. Air is already about 75% nitrogen.
Ciderbarrel Sophomore Author Maryland Posts:246 Points:53,725 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jul 7, 2011 3:50:37 PM Ignore Ciderbarrel Report Abuse Air is 70-something percent nitrogen. It's good enough for me.
Ciderbarrel Sophomore Author Maryland Posts:246 Points:53,725 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jul 7, 2011 3:50:36 PM Ignore Ciderbarrel Report Abuse Air is 70-something percent nitrogen. It's good enough for me.
67Leafs All-Star Author Ontario Posts:582 Points:158,200 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 7, 2011 6:14:45 AM Ignore 67Leafs Report Abuse Nitrogen is well worth the cost. Tires remain properly inflated longer especially in the winter.
bustermoves Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:3,470 Points:690,625 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Jul 7, 2011 4:52:11 AM Ignore bustermoves Report Abuse the air we breath is 75-80% nitrogen.waste of money,dosent make any diff
GarthHeater Sophomore Author Indiana Posts:191 Points:39,300 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Jul 7, 2011 1:52:54 AM Ignore GarthHeater Report Abuse yeah
kdirmyer Veteran Author Indiana Posts:444 Points:112,745 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 6, 2011 2:06:33 PM Ignore kdirmyer Report Abuse Stick with air
BUSSY Champion Author Dallas Posts:9,912 Points:1,542,465 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Jul 6, 2011 2:04:53 PM Ignore BUSSY Report Abuse air
AimLessInVA Veteran Author Richmond Posts:283 Points:100,000 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jul 6, 2011 1:07:03 PM Ignore AimLessInVA Report Abuse SubarauForester: N2 molecule seems to be larger for leaking. http://www.getnitrogen.org/pdf/graham.pdf . In any case being inert compared to oxygen, Nitrogen might prolong the durability of tires and tubes. In short, Nitrogen might increase durability by a few days and decrease the leakage by a few days if everything else is same. Now the question is whether these advantage is worth for the money?
AimLessInVA Veteran Author Richmond Posts:283 Points:100,000 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jul 6, 2011 12:52:01 PM Ignore AimLessInVA Report Abuse Yet another way for entrepreneurs snatch money from American women and kids.
KURTSUNCLE All-Star Author Columbus Posts:650 Points:210,245 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jul 6, 2011 11:39:44 AM Ignore KURTSUNCLE Report Abuse air
SubaruForester Sophomore Author Texas Posts:166 Points:114,055 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Jul 6, 2011 6:50:17 AM Ignore SubaruForester Report Abuse I've heard that the nitrogen molecule is larger than oxygen and that's why tires don't "leak down" as fast. Any truth to that? I do know that nitrogen gas is dry and non-flammable which is why it's used in aircraft.
zdcatc12 Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:2,147 Points:786,715 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2011 11:11:45 AM Ignore zdcatc12 Report Abuse N2 here
ekelly7 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:18,291 Points:3,528,700 Joined:Oct 2001	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2011 10:34:09 AM Ignore ekelly7 Report Abuse air
Boyrr Champion Author Allentown Posts:15,186 Points:3,164,855 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2011 9:40:37 AM Ignore Boyrr Report Abuse Dude, like you get 71% nitrogen in "air"!
xwave97 Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:1,295 Points:198,160 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jul 3, 2011 12:20:22 AM Ignore xwave97 Report Abuse I haven't bought a car in years
remmi870 Veteran Author Columbus Posts:435 Points:59,045 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2011 4:24:18 PM Ignore remmi870 Report Abuse The only reason why N2 shows any signifigant difference between "air" is that it is almost always filtered and if it is bottled it is even cleaner. I work on compressed air systems for factories, the compression of air causes heat and when the compression of hot air is then decompressed from let say 100psi to 40psi, it causes the moisture to condense, so you are then pumping water into your tire. Not to mention some compressors are depostiting rust and other contaminates in the air. In the witnter, i have actualy seen gas station air pumps that pour out water because the pumps are heating and then condensing the water in the air. The ironic thing is that the composition of air contains around 78% of nitrogen, 20+% oxygen, and 3% argon/CO2/traces. The trace elements are what causes the problems, however if you use dry air from a good air system, it is just as effective as Nitrogen but cheaper.
PatAZ Champion Author Tucson Posts:9,249 Points:122,380 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2011 3:34:23 PM Ignore PatAZ Report Abuse Air is free.
thebrohta167 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:1,466 Points:235,315 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2011 12:45:32 PM Ignore thebrohta167 Report Abuse air all the way
jimmy544 Champion Author Boston Posts:4,123 Points:654,830 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2011 12:38:47 PM Ignore jimmy544 Report Abuse bogus
SuggTX Rookie Author Fort Worth Posts:6 Points:60,520 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jun 30, 2011 9:47:06 PM Ignore SuggTX Report Abuse I spoke to the dealer about the N2 and it's in the tires for two reasons. First because it's not effected by thermal expansion and retraction like normal air is. Pressure fluxuation with N2 will only be around 3 pounds from summer to winter. They said my tires will run around 31-32 lbs in the summer and read 28-29 in the winter. Second the N2 is there to operate with the in dash pressure sensors. My truck tells me the pressures in each tire at all times. I don't know how much is fact but it sounded cool.
jimmy544 Champion Author Boston Posts:4,123 Points:654,830 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jun 24, 2011 7:50:04 AM Ignore jimmy544 Report Abuse air for me thank you very much.
OilerFan Champion Author Tulsa Posts:14,050 Points:2,447,800 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jun 24, 2011 6:46:38 AM Ignore OilerFan Report Abuse I was surprised when one of my brothers told me that he'd been using N2 and he's sold on it. He said that it is definitely effective at keeping pressure and therefore better for gas mileage over a longer period of time than just using air.
wwmisc Rookie Author San Francisco Posts:27 Points:116,890 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Jun 23, 2011 11:41:00 PM Ignore wwmisc Report Abuse I don't know if it's because of the nitrogen, but I got my tires from and have them serviced at Costco (Where they supposedly use nitrogen), and I have never had to inflate them myself at a gas station. On my relatives' cars, where the tires are inflated with air, I have to regularly inflate them myself.
1stGenRX7 Champion Author Dallas Posts:3,512 Points:691,675 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jun 23, 2011 12:35:17 AM Ignore 1stGenRX7 Report Abuse n2 is just moisture free air!
ricebike Champion Author New Jersey Posts:10,043 Points:1,857,670 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jun 22, 2011 11:11:33 PM Ignore ricebike Report Abuse i know that zzz they probably put a portion of the tire price into the cost of the n2 machine... nothing is really "free"
ZZZoop Champion Author Virginia Posts:16,382 Points:3,127,310 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jun 22, 2011 7:11:42 PM Ignore ZZZoop Report Abuse >>if you can get it and top off for FREE, go for it<< Unless someone is building and selling N2 inflation machines for free, N2 is not free. The retailer providing N2 for "free" has to recoup his investment somehow.
jorobins538 Champion Author Chicago Posts:4,732 Points:638,320 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Jun 22, 2011 10:15:30 AM Ignore jorobins538 Report Abuse I don't see the benefits.
ricebike Champion Author New Jersey Posts:10,043 Points:1,857,670 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jun 22, 2011 1:58:38 AM Ignore ricebike Report Abuse if you can get it and top off for FREE, go for it otherwise, it's a waste to pay extra for it
Michael29644 Champion Author Greenville Posts:4,973 Points:844,250 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Jun 21, 2011 11:19:23 PM Ignore Michael29644 Report Abuse I don't see how that extra 22% of N is going to make any noticeable difference.
AccordV6MN Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:4,402 Points:653,710 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jun 21, 2011 11:44:32 AM Ignore AccordV6MN Report Abuse N2 is less sensitive to temp compare to air (with 78% N2) and the N2 molecules are bigger which makes your tire require less maintenance.
nordlead Veteran Author Syracuse Posts:295 Points:118,865 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jun 21, 2011 9:24:05 AM Ignore nordlead Report Abuse N2 has benefits for certain applications (race cars, airplanes), but tires on a consumer car isn't one of them.
steamy_coyler All-Star Author Ontario Posts:711 Points:186,300 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Jun 21, 2011 8:27:27 AM Ignore steamy_coyler Report Abuse I dont notice a difference yet... Just had my tires switched to N2 4 months ago
JoeMegaGas Rookie Author Michigan Posts:71 Points:19,420 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jun 21, 2011 7:09:33 AM Ignore JoeMegaGas Report Abuse Not sure if it really matter but I usually buy my tires at Belle Tire and they put N2 in and top it off for free.
ricebike Champion Author New Jersey Posts:10,043 Points:1,857,670 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jun 21, 2011 5:08:43 AM Ignore ricebike Report Abuse if you have a TPMS on your vehicle, just use regular air...
bustermoves Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:3,470 Points:690,625 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Jun 21, 2011 4:57:37 AM Ignore bustermoves Report Abuse hard enuff to find some place to air up your tires,let alone nitrogen them up.
feldos Champion Author Florida Posts:2,640 Points:549,750 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jun 20, 2011 10:12:41 PM Ignore feldos Report Abuse I thought it was supposed to be less corrosive, but I think it's likely a way to get you to pay for something that's free or cheap.