Nitrogen vs Air

T32803 · 08-20-2019, 08:41 AM

I have always put nitrogen in my 2018 but it's a real pain to go back to the dealer every month to beg for a top-off because the tires went from 35 to 33 or 32. Plus I have to wait 30+ mins for someone to drive it into service to get the top-off.

I can definitely notice my 20s feeling heavy with tire drag when the pressure is not 35 matched all around so it's an addiction to get them topped off regularly to avoid tire drag. I am wondering if there really is a noticeable difference between air and nitrogen if you don't track the car?

Yes I have read online how pressure fluctuates less with nitrogen filled tires when the temperature goes up or down but I was wondering if it's only really noticeable on the track. Then again, maybe for a nut like me who notices tire drag when the pressure drops to 33, maybe I personally would notice it over time as more and more of the tire becomes air filled vs nitrogen filled.

If not, I'll buy an air compressor so I can inflate the tires every Saturday to 36 then back them off slowly to 35 with an accurate track quality air gauge/release tool.

T32803 · 08-20-2019, 09:07 AM

Looks like cheap Nitrogen pumps start at $500 and are big and bulky. And you need to get refill tanks. Gosh, where would you go to get a tank refilled with nitrogen ??

Rayvan · 08-20-2019, 12:11 PM

Just get the air compressor. Air is like 80% nitrogen anyway.

Topping off you'll go from 100% nitrogen to, what, 99.9%?

Scargoes · 08-20-2019, 02:08 PM

If you really want nitrogen, Go to a welding supply place and buy a tank and a regulator. Then you can fill up at home whenever. An when you run low, just go back to the welding supply store and exchange for a full tank. Initial cost will be high because you buy the tank, but exchanges are a lot less because you just swap your tank for a full one. Kinda like the propane exchange dealies.

Paintslinger16 · 08-20-2019, 06:20 PM

It’s a big fancy money grab, just use air.

enzia35 · 08-21-2019, 02:17 PM

Nitrogen isn't needed on a street car at all.

T32803 · 08-21-2019, 08:28 PM

Thanks all for the info. GM is putting it in the Corvettes and Camaros so I thought there must be something to it but maybe not..

Whocares05050 · 08-21-2019, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paintslinger16

It’s a big fancy money grab, just use air.

Yup! Every single dealer near me charges $150 to the sales sticker for "nitrogen in tires".

Such a scam...

KirkH · 08-21-2019, 10:43 PM

I run 78% nitrogen. Worth it.

T32803 · 08-21-2019, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whocares05050

Yup! Every single dealer near me charges $150 to the sales sticker for "nitrogen in tires".
Such a scam...

No added charge when I bought my Camaro and top-offs have been free at the 2 Florida dealers I have gone to. You were getting bent over..

VAZL1 · 08-22-2019, 03:26 AM

I run nitrogen as well and do not experience the fluctuations you seem to be. Maybe you have a leak or the percent of nitrogen your using is low.

VinnAY · 08-22-2019, 06:01 AM

I drove it straight home and drained 4 tires and refilled with air , it's a total scam on a street car.

ssmofo · 08-22-2019, 08:08 AM

Unless you're road racing for cash or a trophy, nitrogen is totally worthless, it does help pressure fluctuation due to temperature. A welding shop can get you a bottle and reg for cheap if you're one of those guys that listens to the interwebs.

CamaroVille · 08-22-2019, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KirkH

I run 78% nitrogen. Worth it.

Me too!!

08-20-2019, 08:41 AM	#1
T32803 Drives: Sold it Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: US Posts: 126	Nitrogen vs Air I have always put nitrogen in my 2018 but it's a real pain to go back to the dealer every month to beg for a top-off because the tires went from 35 to 33 or 32. Plus I have to wait 30+ mins for someone to drive it into service to get the top-off. I can definitely notice my 20s feeling heavy with tire drag when the pressure is not 35 matched all around so it's an addiction to get them topped off regularly to avoid tire drag. I am wondering if there really is a noticeable difference between air and nitrogen if you don't track the car? Yes I have read online how pressure fluctuates less with nitrogen filled tires when the temperature goes up or down but I was wondering if it's only really noticeable on the track. Then again, maybe for a nut like me who notices tire drag when the pressure drops to 33, maybe I personally would notice it over time as more and more of the tire becomes air filled vs nitrogen filled. If not, I'll buy an air compressor so I can inflate the tires every Saturday to 36 then back them off slowly to 35 with an accurate track quality air gauge/release tool. Last edited by T32803; 08-20-2019 at 09:08 AM.

08-20-2019, 02:08 PM	#4
Scargoes Drives: 2018 Hyper Blue 2SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Dessert Posts: 486	If you really want nitrogen, Go to a welding supply place and buy a tank and a regulator. Then you can fill up at home whenever. An when you run low, just go back to the welding supply store and exchange for a full tank. Initial cost will be high because you buy the tank, but exchanges are a lot less because you just swap your tank for a full one. Kinda like the propane exchange dealies. __________________ 2018 Hyper Blue Metallic 2SS 1LE with Nav, PDR, and track alignment 1:34.20 Willow Springs Big Track

08-21-2019, 02:17 PM	#6
enzia35 Drives: '16 Garnet Red 1SS Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: College Station, TX Posts: 3,450	Nitrogen isn't needed on a street car at all. __________________ '16 Camaro 1SS '18 Miata GT Gone: '01 Camaro, '14 Camaro, '90 Miata

08-21-2019, 10:43 PM	#9
KirkH Drives: 2016 2SS M6 Mosaic Blk Met-SOLD Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: KY Posts: 2,934	I run 78% nitrogen. Worth it. __________________ Official Detailer of CamaroFest 8 & 9 https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...st-8-pics.html https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showt...=521655&page=1 https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showt...=547470&page=1 https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=527474 No one on Earth has detailed more Camaros. http://KirkTheDetailer.com

08-22-2019, 03:26 AM	#11
VAZL1 Drives: 17 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: VA Posts: 1,075	I run nitrogen as well and do not experience the fluctuations you seem to be. Maybe you have a leak or the percent of nitrogen your using is low. __________________ 2017 ZL1 Coupe M6, Red Hot Mods; AFE Pro 5R CAI, Kong Ported Blower and Snout, NW 103 TB, Griptech 2.31 Upper, Kooks 2",JMS Voltage Booster, Flex Fuel, Mighty Mouse CC,Jannetty Racing Tune, 680 rwhp

08-20-2019, 09:07 AM	#2
T32803 Drives: Sold it Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: US Posts: 126	Looks like cheap Nitrogen pumps start at $500 and are big and bulky. And you need to get refill tanks. Gosh, where would you go to get a tank refilled with nitrogen ??

08-20-2019, 12:11 PM	#3
Rayvan Rayvan Drives: 2018 1SS1LE, Silver Ice Metallic Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 275	Just get the air compressor. Air is like 80% nitrogen anyway. Topping off you'll go from 100% nitrogen to, what, 99.9%?

08-20-2019, 06:20 PM	#5
Paintslinger16 Two Lane Blacktop Drives: '18 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Black River, NNY Posts: 516	It’s a big fancy money grab, just use air.

08-21-2019, 08:28 PM	#7
T32803 Drives: Sold it Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: US Posts: 126	Thanks all for the info. GM is putting it in the Corvettes and Camaros so I thought there must be something to it but maybe not..

08-22-2019, 06:01 AM	#12
VinnAY Account Suspended Drives: 18 1SS/1LE Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Missouri Posts: 939	I drove it straight home and drained 4 tires and refilled with air , it's a total scam on a street car.

08-22-2019, 08:08 AM	#13
ssmofo Drives: Chevy Camaro Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Dallas Posts: 420	Unless you're road racing for cash or a trophy, nitrogen is totally worthless, it does help pressure fluctuation due to temperature. A welding shop can get you a bottle and reg for cheap if you're one of those guys that listens to the interwebs.

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