Green tire valve caps

[dvd1955]

So my daughter's Nissan has green caps on the tire valve stems. That is supposed to mean there is Nitrogen in the tires instead of compressed air. She's had the car three years. I think when she gets the signal that one of the tires has low pressure, she just puts normal compressed air in it, as that is what is usually available at local gas stations. She now tells me the sensors are going off more and more. Nitrogen should be more stable when the ambient air temperature changes, so having more compressed air in could be why she is getting more tire pressure alerts now.
Question is, where does one go to get nitrogen for the tires? I assume the dealers can do this, but they probably charge extra. Maybe it is not worth the hassle?

 

[Bigtanker]

A lot of the shops around here did away with the nitrogen fills. It wasn't cost effective for them. The slight benefits that were gained from the nitrogen were lost when you added regular air as most people did. Driving around to find a nitrogen place to top off your tires if you had a low one is not something anlot of people did. I think is is going the way of the undercoating on a new car.

 

[JettaKnight]

So, she waits for the signal to add air? That's a good way to wear out the tires. The TPMS is designed to alert the driver when the tire is significantly low, like 25%. However, even 10% low tires can dramatically reduce the life by allowing the sidewall to flex excessively and generate heat had makes the compound brittle and damaged. Under normal driving, you should never get to the point where the indicator comes on. The more gadgets car gets, the less drivers can deal with basic car maintenance.

Replacing nitrogen with standard air mix should not have any effect on the TMPS. My suggestion is that you daughter invest in a good air gauge and inflate all the tires to the placard listed cold inflation pressure. Then check them regularly.

Nitrogen, IMHO, is a gimmick.

 

[HoughMade]

I have 79% Nitrogen in my tires at all times. I won't use anything else. I think it's clearly the best.

 

[dvd1955]

She takes her car to the dealer (I know - sigh) for the regular maintenance items, and I assume they check the tire pressures, but I'll ask if she knows for sure. I expect the pressure to have dropped recently due to the cold weather, so that in itself may be why she is having the pressure monitor go off. She has about 50k on the car, which she bought new, still has the original tires.

 

[Tactically Fat]

I have 79% Nitrogen in my tires at all times. I won't use anything else. I think it's clearly the best.

it may START that way... But doesn't END that way.

Providing for no refilling, the % N2 goes up over time - because everything else leaks out.

 

[Leo]

I have 79% Nitrogen in my tires at all times. I won't use anything else. I think it's clearly the best.

78.09 percent, 79.0 % anyplace around there is pretty good, as long as you use 27.707 inches wc for the pressure conversion calculation.

 

[snorko]

I have 79% Nitrogen in my tires at all times. I won't use anything else. I think it's clearly the best.

Me too, though my mechanic suggested a 78% mix. It costs a little extra but it is definitely worth it. Just like the dihydrogen monoxide they use to clean the exterior.

 

[stephen87]

Me too, though my mechanic suggested a 78% mix. It costs a little extra but it is definitely worth it. Just like the dihydrogen oxide they use to clean the exterior.

Dihydrogen? I think you mean BIhydrogen oxide.

 

[eldirector]

If she is getting more TPMS "alerts" now, then I am guessing there is an actual leak. With 50K on the stock tires, she got her money out of them.

 

[eldirector]

Dihydrogen? I think you mean BIhydrogen oxide.

Nah. Snorka has it right.
Naming Covalent Compounds Prefix Method

 

[snorko]

Dihydrogen? I think you mean BIhydrogen oxide.

Either works, I just go with the experts.

Facts About Dihydrogen Monoxide

 

[Dead Duck]

I just used some NOS from my friends race car for my tires because I didn't know where to get them refilled with Nitrogen.

Now my tires sound funny.

 

[HoughMade]

I just used some NOS from my friends race car for my tires because I didn't know where to get them refilled with Nitrogen.

Now my tires sound funny.

NOS or NOS...it makes a difference

Epic thread warning:

Bike won't start after using NOS fuel additive : Suzuki GSX-R Motorcycle Forums: Gixxer.com

 

[Mark-DuCo]

My mechanic recommends seasonal tire air, you can get it here Seasonal Tire Air - $28.90 : KaleCoAuto.com, Your home for the rare, unusual, and hard to find auto parts. , but he said it's not quality air like his supplier gets. He also rotates the air in my tires for free. (apply purple as needed)

 

[Tactically Fat]

My mechanic recommends seasonal tire air, you can get it here Seasonal Tire Air - $28.90 : KaleCoAuto.com, Your home for the rare, unusual, and hard to find auto parts. , but he said it's not quality air like his supplier gets. He also rotates the air in my tires for free. (apply purple as needed)

Yeah, that was evident to me this morning. lack of air rotation in my tires, that is. That summer air just didn't fill 'em out like good winter air will do.

 

[printcraft]

Please everybody, exercise some caution when using nitrogen, you might breath some in while filling your tires.
Only use in a well ventilated area.
If you experience eye watering, headache, feel dizzy or light headed please wear respiratory protection or leave the area.

 

[edporch]

So, she waits for the signal to add air? That's a good way to wear out the tires.
-Snip-

On my car, the pressure at which the warning light comes on can be adjusted.
My tires call for 32psi and I have my warning set for 30psi and it works fine for me in ADDITION to checking it manually every so often.

 

[Naptown]

Wasn't that all just a marketing scam? The air we breathe is 78% Nitrogen, so air from a regular air compressor fills the tires with 78% Nitrogen, correct?

 

[HoughMade]

Wasn't that all just a marketing scam? The air we breathe is 78% Nitrogen, so air from a regular air compressor fills the tires with 78% Nitrogen, correct?

Huh....I never thought of that.