PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post

MB-Dude · #2 07-19-2007, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puck

I don't know if anyone here has tried this yet, but my wife has an '04 Pacifica and she just had nitrogen put into all of her tires. It supposed to make the tires last longer, and maybe it does. However, her Pacifica now rides like it has NO suspension!! Before the nitrogen it rode really well, but now it rides like a brick!! You feel EVERY little imperfection in the road. She's tried to get me to put it in my S500 tires, but I think I'll pass on that offer!! I think I'll just let my tires die a natural death!! She paid $40.00 to have that nitrogen put in, and the ONLY good thing about that is if she has a flat, they'll refill the tire for free. I guess if you live where the roads are perfect, nitrogen would be a good idea....but not in MS!!

Nitrogen is often used as a substitute for compressed air in manufacturing plants, although usually in emergency situations due to cost of the nitrogen. I've never heard of using nitrogen in tires in place of compressed air.

The only negative I can think of is that the nitrogen may dry out the rubber a little faster than compressed air. In the semiconductor plants I worked, we had anecdotal and subjective evidence that dry nitrogen dried out viton o-rings at a faster rate than compressed air. Thus, time will tell if the tires last any longer. However, I suspect the tires will simply wear out long before they deteriorate.

As for the rough ride, I suspect the tires are over-inflated. Check that each tires pressure is as specified on a tire pressure label; usually on the driver's door pillar or fuel cap lid. Nitrogen has virtually the same properties as compressed air in low pressure (less than 40 psi) applications. Remember, the air we breathe is 78% nitrogen.