Nitrogen in tyres

[gordski]

I know I'm probably being a bit dim, but my good lady wife had a flat tyre caused by a nail. I took the wheel off and popped down to my local tyre shop. Nice guys help you out not rip you off type of place. On the bill I noticed they had marked - nitorgen refill £1.15. It's not the money that my question relates to, but why nitrogen is good old fashioned air not good enough? Wifes car is not high performance (well its a 307 1.6l version). Any ideas?

[gordski]

I didn't understand either, since when the 4 tyres were changed recently (yes sods law getting puncture in brand new tyre) they were air filled.

[gordski]

Ok, I understand that my good ladies 306 has one tyre that weighs a little less and it's pressure won't change as much at speed. (Albeit unlikely to get much above 100mph). Given that my digital pressure gauge from Halford (tested by Ride mag to be one of the best) reads in 0.5psi increments. Am I right in thinking I've been charged for something that's not strictly needed in a 306 unless I were to suddenly find myself bobbing round Bridge at Silverstone when it could make all the difference in gettign passed Mr Button and chums?

Edited by gordski on Wednesday 26th July 07:18

[gordski]

ATG, while I see the point in an F1 car, I'm still not convinced on the need for a 306. If your calculations are right, then on a 306 tyre I would save less than 0.5kg, or me taking a bottle of pop in the car plus a mars bar. I'm getting the feelign I was ripped off. £1.15 is £1.15 after all!!!!

[gordski]

King Herald said:

ATG said:

gordski said:

ATG, while I see the point in an F1 car, I'm still not convinced on the need for a 306. If your calculations are right, then on a 306 tyre I would save less than 0.5kg, or me taking a bottle of pop in the car plus a mars bar. I'm getting the feelign I was ripped off. £1.15 is £1.15 after all!!!!

I've said consistently that I think nitrogen in tyres for road use is pointless ... in fact I would go so far as to say "it's absolute bollox".

Tell the garage that and they'll probably insist it is the latest garbage decision from Brussels: all car tyres need to be inflated with nitrogen.

If Brussels is sticking it's 2 euro cents in then expect questions such as
- is nitrogen really that environmentally friendly?
- Do car wheels really need to be round?

ATG - I agree on the 'bollox front'. If it wasn't for the really big chap that works down there I would go and complain, that and the fact it will cost me more than £1.15 to get there and back.

Edited by gordski on Wednesday 26th July 19:28

[gordski]

Rob-c A good point. I don't other than it appears on my bill. I could get some hidrogen and use the Born-Harbour process (appologies if spelt wrong) and make some fertilizer. But otherwise I 'just have to trust them'