Nitrogen in tires...

[LobsterX]

The tires in my X were filled with N2 at the dealership a few months ago. Now that it starts getting cooler, I noticed that the PSI has dropped 1PSI. I was wondering: would it be ok to inflate my tires with ordinary compressed air or is it a must to use N2 only? I hate to go to the dealership just for adding 2-3 PSI in my tires...

Thanks!

[Wagner]

You can use regular air. So a search, this has some posts to it

[LobsterX]

Originally Posted by Wagner

You can use regular air. So a search, this has some posts to it

Thanks!

[Thunder22]

There are 2 camps for whether nitrogen really makes that much of a difference, IMO, I wouldn't bother unless it's free and simple to maintain.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/09/au...es/09MOTO.html


I would suggest you just top them off with regular air and don't waste any of your time or money on thinking about it anymore.

[BGM]

Did the $29.99 Nitrogen special at a dealer close to work. Definitely can tell the ride is smoother on my 20" RFTs. I also did the MPG on the BC on the way home and highway I got 20.5 (no a/c on and just me) at 70 MPH--I was only able to get 19.5 max before so maybe a little better MPG. Tire pressure keeping longer and tire longevity TBD.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by BGM

Did the $29.99 Nitrogen special at a dealer close to work. Definitely can tell the ride is smoother on my 20" RFTs. I also did the MPG on the BC on the way home and highway I got 20.5 (no a/c on and just me) at 70 MPH--I was only able to get 19.5 max before so maybe a little better MPG. Tire pressure keeping longer and tire longevity TBD.

You were taken in. $30 for fillling your tires? Air is primarily nitrogen. It weighs the same. The only reason the ride could be smoother is if the tire pressures are now set correctly. Same for fuel consumption, 1 mpg isn't due to nitogen vs air. Setting the tire pressures correctly can be done for free at most gas stations.

[Jeg Norge]

wow, $30 for air. hmmm...

[amacman]

why then do they fill aircraft tyres with nitrogen

[JCL]

Originally Posted by amacman

why then do they fill aircraft tyres with nitrogen

Because it is a dry gas. An X5 is not a 767.

[wpr]

Originally Posted by amacman

why then do they fill aircraft tyres with nitrogen

AH-Ha!

Originally Posted by JCL

Because it is a dry gas. An X5 is not a 767.

ooooh.

This made me laugh.

I too was wondering why the dealer made a big deal of telling me that they filled the tires with Nitrogen when i picked up my new-to-me 2008 4.8 X5 (just two weeks ago), but had forgotten to look it up.