Nitrogen on tires or not, that is the question...

[Magdave]

this is the first time I have heard of Ride-on (must be the sheltered life I have had!). Sounds like a great product, thus naturally I now have the following questions:
1. Where to get this product
2. How long does it take to have inserted into the tires
3. How much does it cost per tire

Any assistance with answers to these questions is greatly appreciated.

http://www.ride-on.com/ You can find dealers from that sight use the car tire size.:thumbup:

 

[Bob Denman]

I would guess that a quick call (Or trip) to your local "Tire Guy", will get you the answers that you're looking for... :thumbup:

 

[shelbydave]

Increase the lifespan and fuel economy with a NitroMax tire inflation.

Maintaining proper tire inflation is essential to keep your tires safe. Under-inflation is a leading cause of tire failure. Fewer than half of all drivers check the condition of their tires on a regular basis. At Tireman, knowing you are driving on safe tires is so important to us that we offer the very best in tire inflation with our NitroMax nitrogen.
Filling your tires with nitrogen offers the following benefits:

• Save $150-300 in annual fuel savings
• Improves total tire life by up to 31%
• It is non-flammable, non-combustable gas for increased safety
• Decreases oxidation and rust on the rim and valve stem
• Enables tires to operate at a 20% cooler temperature

The above was copied from the website of Tireman Auto Service centers located in Toledo Ohio.

They have done all of my tire work for the last 52 years. All new tires purchased from them come filled with nitrogen. FREE

Free is a pretty good price!! I think the poster who said it was a "rip-off" was probably referring to the dealers who charge an excess premium for the Nitrogen service. I can see a few extra bucks - they DO need to pay for their cost of getting the Nitrogen, but charging an extra $20.00-$30.00 per tire is just crazy.

I DID have Nitrogen in the tires of my SRT, and still noticed pressure variances with different temps. So, when I took the car in for service, they checked and added as needed free of charge, but if I had to go to someone and pay $20 extra to top off my tires, forget it! Any advantage that was had with the nitrogen wasn't worth THAT expense.

 

[Frank G]

Free is a pretty good price!! I think the poster who said it was a "rip-off" was probably referring to the dealers who charge an excess premium for the Nitrogen service. I can see a few extra bucks - they DO need to pay for their cost of getting the Nitrogen, but charging an extra $20.00-$30.00 per tire is just crazy.

I DID have Nitrogen in the tires of my SRT, and still noticed pressure variances with different temps. So, when I took the car in for service, they checked and added as needed free of charge, but if I had to go to someone and pay $20 extra to top off my tires, forget it! Any advantage that was had with the nitrogen wasn't worth THAT expense.

Like any business, the tire business is highly competitive, they all use fuzzy math to get to that final price. I have always looked for fair pricing and good service, they have went to bat for me more than once with tire manufactures. I see them every 3 to 4K miles for oil changes and at that time I am sure they top off the tires with nitrogen, again at no charge. Yep, out the door oil changes for $19.98 including tire rotations. Wish they did Spyders at that price!

 

[Roadster Renovations]

One issue I ran into with the Ride-on stuff. I did my homework (I thought) and went to Amazon to purchase mine for all three tires on the RT. The best deal I could find was a quart much cheaper than anyone else on there so I bought it. Waited a week for it to get here and when it did I noticed it was a mixture for off-road and did not say anything about balancing the tire. I contacted the seller and he stated, "There is no difference in the formula. Only one formula." Suspicious at this point I went to Ride-on's website and found that they actually have 7 different formulas. I found out that the one I had been sold was only for off-road and under no circumstances should that be used on a street vehicle because the mixture was with larger sealing molecules and would not balance the tire. In fact, it would make the balance much worse and was very dangerous to use. I gave Amazon my information so they could nail the guy and got my money back. Since I was on such a small window time-wise, I didn't have time to order any more. Many people swear by it and I will probably eventually put it in mine. My only caution is that you make sure you get the correct formula for your application. Sorry to the rest of the group for not posting this sooner, but it plumb slipped my mind since we were on vacation and I didn't remember about it until just now. It sucks getting old some days.....

 

[autoexacto]

One issue I ran into with the Ride-on stuff. I did my homework (I thought) and went to Amazon to purchase mine for all three tires on the RT. The best deal I could find was a quart much cheaper than anyone else on there so I bought it. Waited a week for it to get here and when it did I noticed it was a mixture for off-road and did not say anything about balancing the tire. I contacted the seller and he stated, "There is no difference in the formula. Only one formula." Suspicious at this point I went to Ride-on's website and found that they actually have 7 different formulas. I found out that the one I had been sold was only for off-road and under no circumstances should that be used on a street vehicle because the mixture was with larger sealing molecules and would not balance the tire. In fact, it would make the balance much worse and was very dangerous to use. I gave Amazon my information so they could nail the guy and got my money back. Since I was on such a small window time-wise, I didn't have time to order any more. Many people swear by it and I will probably eventually put it in mine. My only caution is that you make sure you get the correct formula for your application. Sorry to the rest of the group for not posting this sooner, but it plumb slipped my mind since we were on vacation and I didn't remember about it until just now. It sucks getting old some days.....

Thanks Doc, I purchased mine directrly from Ride-On´s site and called first in order to make sure that I was getting the right stuff since I am in Mexico and returning it would be a PITA AND more expensive. With regards to the N2 I am convinced to use it, won´t hurt, yes a few extra bucks but I feel better with it PLUS I use a TPMS so more than sure I will get the right tire pressure. Maybe I am over exagerating but knowing the roads in Mexico having good tires with the right pressure for safety reasons is a must (at least to me). This weekend I will be placing the Ride-On and filling the tires with N2 and let you know. In Mexico is becoming popular...Thanks all!!!..

 

[SPECTACUALR SPIDERMAN]

I'Ve carried nitrogen at my store for over 10 years, here's the facts:
nitrogen is a dry inert gas which means it will not expand or contract due to temperature changes, since the nitrogen molecule
is roughly 3 times the size of oxygen molecules it does not seep out of the tire as fast. Being a dry gas there will be little to no
moisture in your tire to adversely effect balancing. Yes the air we breathe is made up of 781% nitrogen but the higher purity of
nitrogen is where the benefit comes in(95.5 -99.8%).
I use nitrogen in my little :spyder2: because i can but i believe in it for the following applications: any wheel that uses TPMS
(moisture can damage the TPMS unit & the pin inside the valve), any high performance car that likes to play hard (tire pressure
variances can cost you at very high speed), chrome wheels since moisture in the tire eats ferrous metals & motorcycle tires since
our lives depend on the tires.

This is just my opinion which is agreed upon by AAA & many others. For any of those who flew military or commercial airlines
you know the benefits that i didn't mention upon landing.
AL

 

[Dan_Ashley]

I wear out the tires from using them on the road much faster than from the air used in them. Nothing I put inside the tire will cause it to have a better lifespan in terms of milage. The miles of wear occur on the outside of the tire and the N2 would be on the inside of the tire.

 

[Gray Ghost]

A couple of pointers for anyone considering purchasing ride-on. Unless something has changed, there is a link in a post by Lamont that gives a discount code for ride-on if you are ordering direct. If you want some in a hurry, the ride-on website has a dealer locator. I have used that in the past and it worked out well for me.

 

[muonwhiz]

I have been using RideOn in my tires for couple of years now and also find that there is less variation in tire pressure. I rarely have to make any corrections. I'm just using good old O2. I agree with above poster and think that Kenda needs to reformulate for that rear tire. I'm on my 3rd tire now and get about 9K miles before having to change them.

Are any of you using something other than Kenda for thee rear tire replacement? What are you using and are you happy with it?

 

[autoexacto]

A couple of pointers for anyone considering purchasing ride-on. Unless something has changed, there is a link in a post by Lamont that gives a discount code for ride-on if you are ordering direct. If you want some in a hurry, the ride-on website has a dealer locator. I have used that in the past and it worked out well for me.

Hi...this is out of topic BUT, I noticed that ¨have tools - will travel¨ plus the ¨true laser alignment¨...and you have been been in all 48 states, now, have you been to Mexico? How many Spyders would you have to do laser alignment to be worth a trip so see us? I can guarantee a great time, gorgeous scenery, nice people, excelente food and lots of tequila...LOL... :yes::clap:

 

[ahh-cool]

Even your lungs?? :yikes:
:roflblack:

especially my lungs

 

[ahh-cool]

USAF has used nitrogen to fill aircraft tires for many years. It is dry and the nitrogen molecule is bigger than the oxygen molecule. Oxygen molecules, under pressure, will, over time, migrate through the rubber tire and you lose tire pressure. As a larger molecule, nitrogen is less susceptible to this and tire pressure remains more constant . . .

Part of this statement is true.
USAF has used nitrogen to fill aircraft tires for many years. So does Commercial Aviation. BUT
The reason for this is because it's dryer. At cruising altitude they are worried about the moisture freezing. Not because it will damage the tire but because when the tire hits the ground with a chunk of ice in it at that poin it could damage the airplane.
BTW I'm an ex Aircraft Mechanic and authorized inspector from the FAA. (A&P, IA)
Stefan

 

[Gray Ghost]

have you been to Mexico? How many Spyders would you have to do laser alignment to be worth a trip so see us? I can guarantee a great time, gorgeous scenery, nice people, excelente food and lots of tequila...LOL...

I have been to Matamoros, but it was back in 72. What you say is tempting, I do love tequila, but sometimes it doesn't love me. Mexico is a big place, where exactly are you?

 

[autoexacto]

I have been to Matamoros, but it was back in 72. What you say is tempting, I do love tequila, but sometimes it doesn't love me. Mexico is a big place, where exactly are you?

Jejeje...same with me, Tequila can betray you...LOL...I am almost in the middle of the country, in the State of Guanajuato, city of Leon but ¨will travel¨...see map pic below...it was just a thought, don´t know what is worth your while coming over having a good time, making some money and new friends....:clap:



I wouldn´t mind travelling to the US but can´t for now since I am changing my migratory status thus travel unless it is an family related emergency can´t be done for the next 6 months...grrr...:banghead:

 

[SPECTACUALR SPIDERMAN]

Part of this statement is true.
USAF has used nitrogen to fill aircraft tires for many years. So does Commercial Aviation. BUT
The reason for this is because it's dryer. At cruising altitude they are worried about the moisture freezing. Not because it will damage the tire but because when the tire hits the ground with a chunk of ice in it at that poin it could damage the airplane.
BTW I'm an ex Aircraft Mechanic and authorized inspector from the FAA. (A&P, IA)
Stefan

you forgot to mention the heat created upon landing, with air the tire will expand, perhaps dangerously so that is one of the
major reasons aviation uses nitrogen.

 

[Gray Ghost]

.it was just a thought, don´t know what is worth your while coming over having a good time, making some money and new friends....

New friends are always welcome but I am leery of crossing a national border and doing work. When you do get to the point where you can travel we could work out a meeting right by the border if you are still looking to get aligned. Depending upon how mechanically inclined you are, you might want to consider becoming a ROLO alignment dealer for Mexico.

 

[mastertek2000]

i use Nitrogen in my bikes and jeep keep the TPMS sensor from all ways going off i keep a bottle in the garage all the time

 

[Jim's_Spyder]

Part of this statement is true.
USAF has used nitrogen to fill aircraft tires for many years. So does Commercial Aviation. BUT
The reason for this is because it's dryer. At cruising altitude they are worried about the moisture freezing. Not because it will damage the tire but because when the tire hits the ground with a chunk of ice in it at that poin it could damage the airplane.
BTW I'm an ex Aircraft Mechanic and authorized inspector from the FAA. (A&P, IA)
Stefan

My brother was USAF CA crew chief for 20 years. He told me it was because in Florida it could be 90+ and a few hours later they would land at Minot AFB where it might be -40. It kept the tires at the same pressure. In the Hvac world we use it to dry out ac systems and because it holds a steady pressure with temperature changes.

 

[Art Mann]

My brother was USAF CA crew chief for 20 years. He told me it was because in Florida it could be 90+ and a few hours later they would land at Minot AFB where it might be -40. It kept the tires at the same pressure. In the Hvac world we use it to dry out ac systems and because it holds a steady pressure with temperature changes.

Sorry, but that isn't the reason they used nitrogen in the airplane tires. Nitrogen, oxygen and the blend of gasses we call air all behave exactly the same way according to Boyle's law*. Basically, this law says that pressure is proportional to temperature, assuming the volume is a constant (like in a tire). The pressure will fall the same amount going from a hot to a cold area whether the gas is N2, O2 or air. Furthermore, those who say their tire pressure never changes when they use nitrogen just aren't being picky or observant enough. There is enough difference between summer and winter temperatures to alter the pressure a pound or three regardless of what gas is inside the tire. Nitrogen is used to purge moisture in HVAC systems because it contains practically zero moisture content.

If you want to convince yourself that Boyle's law is really true, then fill your tires with N2 and let them cool over night. Check the pressure. The next morning, get out on the highway and ride for 30 minutes at 60 or 70 to let the tires heat up. Then, immediately check the tire pressure again. I'll bet you anything that you will see an increase in tire pressure of several psi.

Edit: *I got to looking and found I made a mistake. The law to which I referred is the ideal gas law. Boyle's law is apparently a simplified version of that law in which temperature is assumed to remain constant. Here is an explanation of the ideal gas law. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ideal_gas_law