Tires with Nitrogen

[wg4t50]

I think it might be simpler to use Helium instead of Nitrogen, there might be many advantages to the Helium use.  Beside the improved ride, extended tire mileage, self balancing, improves the toe in diffrerencs, improves traction on ice, improved fuel mileage and if you ever get caught on the scales, you would have an advantage.  I am sure there are other biggie advantages ? 

[Van]

Maybe Nitrous, Figure if you can keep those lil' o2 buggers happy they might stay in longer lol! 9 outta 10 dentist' would approve I'm sure.

[JWallin]

Helium, Really?  With the smallest molecule on the periodic table, helium is used to test high vacuum systems for leaks because it migrates easily. If you put it in your tires they will stay inflated about as long as a kids helium filled balloon. As oxygen and nitrogen are neighbors on the periodic chart there is really no benefit in using one over the other for inflation. And since the "air" coming out of your compressor is about 83% nitrogen the only major difference is the money that leaves your wallet and ends up in the nitrogen providers instead.

[brando4905]

Really surprised Nick hasn't chimed in yet. I worked in the HVAC field for almost 10yrs, and anytime we did a repair that warranted opening the refrigeration side of a system, after the fix the lines were charged back up with Nitrogen and left over night. We did this to check for leaks, as the nitrogen pressure would remain constant with temp change. If gauges still read same as the day before, all was well.

Really surprised to hear that all gases pressure change with temp. 

[Nusa]

Actually, Hydrogen is the smallest molecule on the periodic table. Helium would the the smallest molecule of the inert gasses. And yes, both of those gasses have issues with longer-term storage as they will slowly leak right through the walls of whatever container they're in. Hydrogen storage issues are a main reason hydrogen powered vehicles haven't become commercially viable.

Nitrogen is not technically an inert gas, but it is very close to inert and CHEAP to produce, so it gets used in many applications on a cost basis alone.

[kyle4501]

Nitrogen is dry & doesn't oxidize rubber. That is something that will improve the life of your tires.