Page 30 - KCRPCA MayJune 2022

MOST CARS HAVE A LABEL ON THE DRIVER’S SIDE DOOR SILL THAT HAS THE PREFERRED COLD TEMPERATURE- PRESSURE SETTINGS FOR YOUR VEHICLE. IF IT’S NOT THERE, CHECK YOUR MANUAL OR LOOK IT
UP ON THE INTERNET.
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water from their air compressors to prevent this as well. On a daily driven vehicle that gets its tires changed every few years due to mileage, this is not typically an issue, but could be useful on collector cars where the tires are not changed often and where moisture collection over time could cause corrosion, specifically to steel wheels.
Keep in mind though, oxygen and moisture are still pushing into the rubber tire via atmospheric pressure from the outside, so purity will still be affected over time.
Another advantage of nitrogen is the pressure in the tires increases more consistently due to the lack of moisture in the tire. As temperatures rise, pressure will naturally increase. This can be helpful on the race track where we are constantly adjusting tire pressures to maintain a specific level. In the mornings when the tires are cold, pressures will be lower. As the tire heats up throughout the day, pressures increase. While nitrogen won’t prevent increases 100%, it does do so more consistently. What
this means for track guys is that they now have to haul a nitrogen tank with them to the track so they can adjust tire pressure. The same thing happens to a car driven on the street. Your tire pressure will be lower in the cold temperatures, and higher in the hotter temperatures. One of the big disadvantages to nitrogen is keeping them inflated to the proper pressures as not everyone has a nitrogen tank on hand to fill them. Every time the tire loses a few psi, you have to go back to the tire shop and pay to have them topped off with nitrogen.
Yes, in a pinch you can fill with regular air, but then you are decreasing your nitrogen to air mixture. What does a nitrogen fill cost? It can range from anywhere from $5-10 a tire. Not cheap!
So what does all this mean? A collector might see some small advantages from using nitrogen on cars that are show cars, and race car drivers might see some advantages on a race car with the proper trackside equipment. But when it comes down to it, the average driver is better off investing in a good tire pressure gauge and checking/filling their air on a regular basis (I typically recommend once a month assuming no other issues).
Hopefully this helps to clear up some of the confusion of nitrogen. When it comes down to it, it is a profit center for tire shops that just doesn’t fit the need of the average person.
~ Karl
Der Sportwagen