Check tire pressure

[string]

After every hurricane check your tire pressure on cars and golf carts.
Hurricanes change the barometric pressure in the area.

[biker1]

Not exactly. The ambient pressure will drop some and then return. The pressure in the tires is fine. However, seasonal temperature changes will require some adjustment.


After every hurricane check your tire pressure on cars and golf carts.
Hurricanes change the barometric pressure in the area.

[tophcfa]

Not exactly. The ambient pressure will drop some and then return. The pressure in the tires is fine. However, seasonal temperature changes will require some adjustment.

Tell that to Roger Goodell.

[Topspinmo]

I check my tire pressure once month, it’s away down pound or 2. IMO if you don’t check you tires within 3 month period the pressure could be low enough to produce more wear tear on tires. Course running nitrogen don’t lose pressure so dramatically.

[biker1]

I’m sure someone tried to explain the ideal gas law to him.

Tell that to Roger Goodell.

[PoolBrews]

I check my tire pressure once month, it’s away down pound or 2. IMO if you don’t check you tires within 3 month period the pressure could be low enough to produce more wear tear on tires. Course running nitrogen don’t lose pressure so dramatically.

Nitrogen is far more likely to leak than air. Nitrogen molecules are considerably smaller than oxygen and Co2, and can leak through far smaller openings than air. A good example is if you put nitrogen tanks on a standard Co2 dispenser for soda or beer, the tank will run dry in less than a day. Standard seals that contain Co2, can't contain nitrogen.

[biker1]

Nitrogen and oxygen molecules are very close in size with nitrogen being slightly larger.

Nitrogen is far more likely to leak than air. Nitrogen molecules are considerably smaller than oxygen and Co2, and can leak through far smaller openings than air. A good example is if you put nitrogen tanks on a standard Co2 dispenser for soda or beer, the tank will run dry in less than a day. Standard seals that contain Co2, can't contain nitrogen.

[Topspinmo]

Nitrogen is far more likely to leak than air. Nitrogen molecules are considerably smaller than oxygen and Co2, and can leak through far smaller openings than air. A good example is if you put nitrogen tanks on a standard Co2 dispenser for soda or beer, the tank will run dry in less than a day. Standard seals that contain Co2, can't contain nitrogen.

When my car was new the tires were filled with nitrogen from factory or wherever. Tire pressure was consistent for two years or more. After that I figured tires were old enough to start loosing air. That’s when I had to occasionally top them off, but, never let them get low enough for tire light to come on.

I never put nitrogen back in them figured it was waste of money and good up charge by dealer. My understanding nitrogen molecules are larger and temperature changes don’t affect nitrogen as much as plain moisten old air. Even when my car was new I still checked tire pressure once month. Waiting for tire light to come on iMO asking for tire wear, but that’s me I am asinine on certain stuff. :oops:

[villagetinker]

You do realize our atmosphere is 78% Nitrogen, I would never waste my money filling tires with pure Nitrogen.

[Caymus]

Must be some advantage to nitrogen. I thought most race car tires are nitrogen filled.

[biker1]

There will be a small reduction in pressure drop with time with a pure nitrogen fill compared with air. However, I doubt it is worth the cost or inconvenience. You should be checking your tire pressure regularly anyway and adjusting the pressure as needed with seasonal temperature changes. What race cars do usually has very little to do with what passenger cars should do. Apparently, some commercial and military applications call for nitrogen fills. Again, that probably has little to do with passenger car applications.

Must be some advantage to nitrogen. I thought most race car tires are nitrogen filled.

[Topspinmo]

You do realize our atmosphere is 78% Nitrogen, I would never waste my money filling tires with pure Nitrogen.

“I never put nitrogen back in them figured it was waste of money and good up charge by dealer“

Quoted from my post.

[Caymus]

There will be a small reduction in pressure drop with time with a pure nitrogen fill compared with air. However, I doubt it is worth the cost or inconvenience. You should be checking your tire pressure regularly anyway and adjusting the pressure as needed with seasonal temperature changes. What race cars do usually has very little to do with what passenger cars should do. Apparently, some commercial and military applications call for nitrogen fills. Again, that probably has little to do with passenger car applications.

Before I retired, I would use the "free" Nitrogen at work. We used a lot to inert our reactors and keep them from going "boom":angel:

[Michael G.]

Must be some advantage to nitrogen. I thought most race car tires are nitrogen filled.

Ace car tires yes, but not for everyday driving
How many race cars do you see at Spanish springs??

[Topspinmo]

From Google


The main benefit of nitrogen-filled tires is that the loss of tire pressure is slower, because the gas in the tire escapes more slowly than air does. With more stable tire pressure, the thinking goes, you'll get better gas mileage and get full tire life since you're always rolling on fully inflated tires.

Which does same thing check tire pressure once month.

[justjim]

Every time I go north to a cold climate the light comes on for low tire pressure.

[Rocksnap]

Nitrogen is far more likely to leak than air. Nitrogen molecules are considerably smaller than oxygen and Co2, and can leak through far smaller openings than air. A good example is if you put nitrogen tanks on a standard Co2 dispenser for soda or beer, the tank will run dry in less than a day. Standard seals that contain Co2, can't contain nitrogen.

All due respect, but you have this backwards. O2 molecules are smaller than nitrogen molecules. Which is 1/2 the reason it’s used to inflate aircraft tires.

[bogmonster]

shrinkage is real

[rsmurano]

It doesn’t matter if storms come or go, you should always check your tire pressure every month when the tires are cold. You can also check your tire pressure when driving using your cars computer but if you have been driving for a while, they will show up to 4 or 5 pounds more pressure.

[biker1]

A ballpark estimate is that you will lose about 1 PSI for each 10F drop in ambient temperature. You should check when the car has been sitting for some time, say in the morning. If you travel from an area where the overnight temperatures are typically 80F to an area where they are typically 30F then you may see about a 5 PSI drop. This may very well trigger the TPMS.

Every time I go north to a cold climate the light comes on for low tire pressure.

[phousel]

Nitrogen is far more likely to leak than air. Nitrogen molecules are considerably smaller than oxygen and Co2, and can leak through far smaller openings than air. A good example is if you put nitrogen tanks on a standard Co2 dispenser for soda or beer, the tank will run dry in less than a day. Standard seals that contain Co2, can't contain nitrogen.

Not correct! Nitrogen molecules are slightly (3%) larger (more volume) than air.

[ThirdOfFive]

It doesn’t matter if storms come or go, you should always check your tire pressure every month when the tires are cold. You can also check your tire pressure when driving using your cars computer but if you have been driving for a while, they will show up to 4 or 5 pounds more pressure.
True. If you check your tires regularly it doesn't really matter if you fill them with nitrogen or just plain everyday air.

Nitrogen has qualities that makes it overall better for tire inflation. However those qualities, as compared to straight air, are pretty minuscule when talking about the average joe tooling on down the freeway. They become significant, however, when the tires under consideration are on race cars, semi truck fleets, commercial and military aircraft, and the like. I think NASA used nitrogen in the space shuttle tires though I don't know that for sure.

Major positive qualities for Nitrogen is that is inert: it does not support combustion or corrosion. Nitrogen is also more stable in extreme temperature fluctuations meaning that there is less variation in pressure when going from very warm to very cold. It is also less likely to leak, all other things considered, than is air, because the nitrogen molecule is a bit larger than oxygen. But nitrogen is expensive ($5 per car tire??). The overall advantages of nitrogen, should should you be driving in the Indianapolis 500 or landing a 747, are important, but I doubt it makes very little if any difference, considering the price, if the vehicle you're piloting is a Toyota Corolla.

Check out "The Pros and Cons of Nitrogen Tire Inflation" by Tsukasa Azuma, updated February 22, 2024.

[nn0wheremann]

I check my tire pressure once month, it’s away down pound or 2. IMO if you don’t check you tires within 3 month period the pressure could be low enough to produce more wear tear on tires. Course running nitrogen don’t lose pressure so dramatically.
I use a 78% nitrogen mix exclusively. Tires work just fine.

[JGibson]

shrinkage is real

"But I was in the pool"

[roadrnnr]

What pressure is right for Yamaha Golf Carts?

[jarodrig]

How many race cars do you see at Spanish springs??

Judging from what I’ve seen , ALL of them! Including golf carts ! :):):)

[New Englander]

You don't need Nitrogen for your tires. Just remember on Oct. 1st replace the summer air in your tires with winter air.

[kburr]

Not exactly. The ambient pressure will drop some and then return. The pressure in the tires is fine. However, seasonal temperature changes will require some adjustment.

I felt it in my sinuses.

[Topspinmo]

What pressure is right for Yamaha Golf Carts?

When I first got here I had back problems so I reduced tire pressure to 18 to 20 on 10 inch 205 tires so cushioned my back when going over street drains. In 2 years wore out rear tires due more weight on rear. The front had even wear.

For me 25 Psi for rear (more weight in rear) and 22 for front 10” 205s works for me. Back tires are newer than front so I only rotate side to side till back tire catch up.

[Topspinmo]

You don't need Nitrogen for your tires. Just
remember on Oct. 1st replace the summer air in your tires with winter air.

So, where do get air with no nitrogen? :pepper2:

[Topspinmo]

I use a 78% nitrogen mix exclusively. Tires work just fine.

The main benefit of nitrogen-filled tires is that the loss of tire pressure is slower, because the gas in the tire escapes more slowly than air does. With more stable tire pressure, the thinking goes, you'll get better gas mileage and get full tire life since you're always rolling on fully inflated tires.

Which does same thing check tire pressure once month.

Quoted from my post.

[New Englander]

So, where do get air with no nitrogen? :pepper2:

Washington DC is full of hot air without Nitrogen. :blahblahblah:

[Topspinmo]

Washington DC is full of hot air without Nitrogen. :blahblahblah:


Agree, but it’s non useable….:22yikes:

[dougawhite]

Nitrogen and oxygen molecules are very close in size with nitrogen being slightly larger.

On the periodic table of elements Nitrogen is just before oxygen, therefore, nitrogen atoms are slightly smaller than oxygen atoms, but not by very much.

[Bill14564]

On the periodic table of elements Nitrogen is just before oxygen, therefore, nitrogen atoms are slightly smaller than oxygen atoms, but not by very much.

The atom N is smaller than the atom O. However, the compound N2 is larger than the compound O2. Since we have to deal with the compound rather than the atom….

[tophcfa]

Regardless of what you fill your tires with, remember to check your value stems periodically to be sure they are snuggly in place.

[Bill14564]

Regardless of what you fill your tires with, remember to check your value stems periodically to be sure they are snuggly in place.

????

If they are not snuggly in place is there any air in the tire at all??

[FredMitchell]

Is it to much to ask to post actual factual data, when that is the issue?

Gas Density (molecular)
O2 32 grams / mole
N2 28 grams / mole
Oxygen is 14% denser per mole than Nitrogen

Gas molecular size:
Nitrogen 0.305 nanometers (nm)
Oxygen 0.299 nm
In their gaseous state, both nitrogen and oxygen molecules have an effective diameter of about 3 x 10-10m.
Nitrogen molecules are 2% larger. This is a result of their internal atomic structure.

OP
With respect to the OP (operating premise) that the tire pressure and atmospheric pressure have some relationship, that is bill shut [intentional]. The internal and external pressures are unrelated.

Tires
As to the tire temperature recommendations (ideal gas law), it is important to remember that the temperatures used must be absolute zero based, so Kelvin or Rankine. Did any of you, who posted those guidelines, ever check to see whether they were correct? It would be useful and instructive to do so.

Racing and nitrogen
Why would race cars, presumably cars racing long enough distances to make tire changes (?) use nitrogen rather than air. I have no idea. Thermal conductivity differences? Elimination of water vapor? Are brakes and wheels reasonably thermally isolated. After all, the tires are only used for minutes, not hours. They are put on "cold" and get heated up through tire friction. I have never heard a credible argument for it, but I don't doubt that it is important for some forms of racing.

Disclaimer
I have no automotive engineering background.
Physics, chemistry, math, finance, economics/behavior/game theory, and software have had my focus (other than sports).

[JMintzer]

????

If they are not snuggly in place is there any air in the tire at all??

Methinks he means "valve caps"...

[tophcfa]

????

If they are not snuggly in place is there any air in the tire at all??

No, valve stems can leak air very slowly if they are not tightened down properly. There is a rubber gasket in the stem that needs to be compressed to hold in air. Over time the stems can loosen and require being snugged down, typically only about 1/4/ to 1/2 turn. Sometimes the rubber gasket in very old valve stems can corrode and the valve stem needs to be replaced. A valve stem wrench can be purchased at any auto parts store, or in the automotive department of a box store, for less than $5. A package of replacement valve steams can be purchased on Amazon for under $10.

[tophcfa]

Methinks he means "valve caps"...

Valve caps don’t hold in air, they protect the valve stems from weather and debris.

[askcarl]

Don't forget to trim your nose hair....

[dougawhite]

The atom N is smaller than the atom O. However, the compound N2 is larger than the compound O2. Since we have to deal with the compound rather than the atom….
I stand corrected.
https://www.getnitrogen.org/pdf/graham.pdf

[Bill14564]

No, valve stems can leak air very slowly if they are not tightened down properly. There is a rubber gasket in the stem that needs to be compressed to hold in air. Over time the stems can loosen and require being snugged down, typically only about 1/4/ to 1/2 turn. Sometimes the rubber gasket in very old valve stems can corrode and the valve stem needs to be replaced. A valve stem wrench can be purchased at any auto parts store, or in the automotive department of a box store, for less than $5. A package of replacement valve steams can be purchased on Amazon for under $10.

Correct me if I am wrong but the valve stem is a 1" to 2" piece of rubber and metal that is inserted into the rim from the inside of the tire. It's purpose is to allow the tire to be filled with air through the use of a valve within the stem. There is usually a valve stem cap that screws onto the outer end of the valve stem to keep dirt out of the valve. In newer vehicles the valve stem frequently contains the sensor for the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). In all cases that I am aware of, the valve stem is replaced from inside the rim meaning the tire must be at least partially removed from the rim itself. The hollow rubber/metal valve stems can be fairly inexpensive but I know those that contain the TPMS sensor cost more than $10 each.

Perhaps you are referring to the valve itself which is within the stem. Those can be removed and replaced. In all the years I have owned vehicles (cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, lawn tractors, golf carts, wheelbarrows, boat trailers, etc) I have experienced a bad valve only one time. Maybe I've been luck and it happens more often than that. I have never needed a replacement valve (I had the entire stem replaced that one time) but it's good to know they are available.

[tophcfa]

Correct me if I am wrong but the valve stem is a 1" to 2" piece of rubber and metal that is inserted into the rim from the inside of the tire. It's purpose is to allow the tire to be filled with air through the use of a valve within the stem. There is usually a valve stem cap that screws onto the outer end of the valve stem to keep dirt out of the valve. In newer vehicles the valve stem frequently contains the sensor for the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). In all cases that I am aware of, the valve stem is replaced from inside the rim meaning the tire must be at least partially removed from the rim itself. The hollow rubber/metal valve stems can be fairly inexpensive but I know those that contain the TPMS sensor cost more than $10 each.

Perhaps you are referring to the valve itself which is within the stem. Those can be removed and replaced. In all the years I have owned vehicles (cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, lawn tractors, golf carts, wheelbarrows, boat trailers, etc) I have experienced a bad valve only one time. Maybe I've been luck and it happens more often than that. I have never needed a replacement valve (I had the entire stem replaced that one time) but it's good to know they are available.

Ok, my bad, poor semantics. I should have said valve stem CORE (pictured below with tool). Advice still stands, they can come loose and should periodically be checked. They tend to become loose when frequently inflating/deflating and when running tires at low pressure. I had problems with the stem cores loosening on my truck when oversanding on the beaches at Cape Cod several days in a row (the tires are deflated to 11 psi to drive on the beach and then filled back up to 36 psi when getting back on pavement). The cores frequently loosen on my ATV as well. The tires on an ATV run between 3.5 - 5 psi. I’ve never had a problem on cars, but I did need to replace one on a golf cart.

[Bill14564]

Ok, my bad, poor semantics. I should have said valve stem CORE (pictured below with tool). Advice still stands, they can come loose and should periodically be checked. They tend to become loose when frequently inflating/deflating and when running tires at low pressure. I had problems with the stem cores loosening on my truck when oversanding on the beaches at Cape Cod several days in a row (the tires are deflated to 11 psi to drive on the beach and then filled back up to 36 psi when getting back on pavement). The cores frequently loosen on my ATV as well. The tires on an ATV run between 3.5 - 5 psi. I’ve never had a problem on cars, but I did need to replace one on a golf cart.

Terminology, ok, no problem. Understand now but still have not experienced that particular problem. Cheap and easy to check so why not?

[Topspinmo]

Methinks he means "valve caps"...

Me thinks it the jam nut that hold the tire pressure sensor onto rim?

[Topspinmo]

Use nitro not, the bottom line check tire pressure periodically and you won’t have wear or pressure problems. IMO periodically once month. But I’m willing to bet majority don’t do it and majority riding around with improperly tire pressure.

[Kurtho]

FYI. Costco has this little gizmo for those that don’t own an air compressor. Very convenient, as once you screw it onto the tire stem, it tells you the tire pressure, and you simply put in the desired air pressure and it automatically stops once you get there. Pretty small, and can be kept in a car or golf cart. $50 online or $40 in the store.

https://www.costco.com/fanttik-s100-apex-powerful-portable-air-pump--tire-inflator-with-power-bank-black.product.4000230430.html

[Bay Kid]

Get a Yantu small air compressor from Amazon. They work great. I keep one in each car.

[Altavia]

FYI. Costco has this little gizmo for those that don’t own an air compressor. Very convenient, as once you screw it onto the tire stem, it tells you the tire pressure, and you simply put in the desired air pressure and it automatically stops once you get there. Pretty small, and can be kept in a car or golf cart. $50 online or $40 in the store.

https://www.costco.com/fanttik-s100-apex-powerful-portable-air-pump--tire-inflator-with-power-bank-black.product.4000230430.html

Also handy for bike tires and multiple versions available on Amazon.

https://a.co/d/88qqCI5

[dhdallas]

After every hurricane check your tire pressure on cars and golf carts.
Hurricanes change the barometric pressure in the area.

Seriously? BTW, check your spelling in the title.

[JMintzer]

Seriously? BTW, check your spelling in the title.

That's your pull from this thread? So helpful...