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Old 09-24-2012, 02:42 PM   #31 (permalink)
some_other_dave
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TooMuchGlass View Post
It definitely seems like using regular compressed air is preferable to pure nitrogen, but 40 psi is quickly becoming my absolute (and admittedly somewhat arbitrary) max.
First, if you are uncomfortable pumping your tires up above 40 PSI, then don't do it. Going higher will help your fuel economy, but if the idea bothers you then it isn't worthwhile. If you decide 40 is fine, try 45 after a while and see how you feel about it.

Second, nitrogen is fine in tires. The only way it is any better than air, though, is that it is more likely to be "dry". As mentioned earlier in this thread, most compressed air (that you can get at a gas station) has a pretty good amount of water in it. You don't want liquid water in the tires, and it will tend to accumulate a little more every time you add regular air.

Most of us don't add air repeatedly enough for it to be a real issue, unless the air supply you use is particularly wet.

The only real way that nitrogen is worse in tires than dry air is that it is more expensive. It's not worth it for most of us.

-soD

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