I Think That Nitrogen Is BS......
09-21-2009, 05:39 AM
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My Ride: 2011 M3 Convertible, Alpine White/black, 6 speed
2011 535xi Tasmin Green, Venetian Beige
A while ago, before I worked for BMW, the SA at my old dealership suggested I pay $70 to have nitrogen put in my tires. The reasoning was because it is more stable then regular air and, since the molecules are larger, there is virtually no leakage from the tires at all. Made perfect sense to me. Less need to regularly check my tire pressure and more stable pressure means better tire wear. Better tire wear means that I save money; according to the brochure, lots of $$.
Well, my friends, I am here to tell you that, in my humble experience, none of this is true. My summer tires each lost between 3-5 psi sitting in my garage last winter and again today, I had a low pressure warning in my TPMS. I understand that with the change in temperature this is bound to happen to many of us but didn't I spend $70 to help insure that it wouldn't? Plus, in theory for it to work properly, I cannot mix it wil ordinary air so I always have to return to the dealer to refill the tires which is free once I paid the $70 but is still a pain in the ass.
I am not sure if any of you have had similar experiences but next time around I am going to save my money and opt for regular, FREE air in my tires. I will, however, miss the really nifty green valve stem caps. Oh well.
Well, my friends, I am here to tell you that, in my humble experience, none of this is true. My summer tires each lost between 3-5 psi sitting in my garage last winter and again today, I had a low pressure warning in my TPMS. I understand that with the change in temperature this is bound to happen to many of us but didn't I spend $70 to help insure that it wouldn't? Plus, in theory for it to work properly, I cannot mix it wil ordinary air so I always have to return to the dealer to refill the tires which is free once I paid the $70 but is still a pain in the ass.
I am not sure if any of you have had similar experiences but next time around I am going to save my money and opt for regular, FREE air in my tires. I will, however, miss the really nifty green valve stem caps. Oh well.
09-21-2009, 06:56 AM
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If you are willing to forgo the benefits of Nitrogen in your tires at least replace your summer air with winter air within 15 days of the official start of winter. 
Failing to perform that required safety service will cause your battery to die and your hair to fall out 
Failing to perform that required safety service will cause your battery to die and your hair to fall out
09-21-2009, 07:29 AM
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2011 535xi Tasmin Green, Venetian Beige
Originally Posted by luigi524td' post='1012780' date='Sep 21 2009, 10:56 AM
If you are willing to forgo the benefits of Nitrogen in your tires at least replace your summer air with winter air within 15 days of the official start of winter. Failing to perform that required safety service will cause your battery to die and your hair to fall out
Failing to perform that required safety service will cause your battery to die and your hair to fall out 
09-21-2009, 08:11 AM
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My Ride: 545iSMGSilver GrayAuburn Dakota LeatherLogic 7 Premium SoundSports Package
I dont want it in my tires even if its free! Too much hassle needing to go back to get top off, I like to check my own tire pressure at my leisure in my driveway every few weeks.
09-21-2009, 09:09 AM
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My Ride: 2006 Titanium Silver 550i, with all the bells and whistles!!
the air we all breath is 78% Nitrogen already! Free or not, it is just a marketing ploy. However, if you were to drive from the searing heat in say Arizona, to the the top of a icy cold mountain in Colarado in the same day, the pressure in your tires would handle the temperature variation much better if it were 100% nitrogen. 
09-21-2009, 09:26 AM
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Had it in my 1st set of after-market wheels.
Of course it was at no-charge, but then again
how was I suppose to tell that they indeed put
Nitrogen in it. Never pay for it
Of course it was at no-charge, but then again
how was I suppose to tell that they indeed put
Nitrogen in it. Never pay for it
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