Millions of automobiles are on the road every day, with that methanol (windshield washer fluid) hazard under the hood!
The only real benefit to N2 is that it is nearly perfectly dry. Moisture can dramatically affect tire pressure and in turn wear. That is the only reason I use it in all my vehicles. They also only see 8000 miles a year and the tires don't wear very fast. I do it myself so only cost me $17 to fill 20-25 tires. Could use CO2 also. Or even a really good dessicant/ air dryer set up on an air compressor.The local auto dealers are getting all hyped up about selling it to dummies. The Jeep dealer I bought from has a poster in the waiting room which always is an attention-getter... which offers to drain and refill your tires w/100% nitrogen which claims to extend tire life, improve gas mileage, and make you sexy all for only $100.
The dealership service-writer had just handed that brochure and sales-pitch to the housewife sitting next to me in the waiting room …and then he walked away to get his clipboard.
The housewife was about to order that service when I asked her if she'd studied science in high-school. When she replied "YES"...I asked if she remembered how much of the atmosphere is made up of nitrogen, how much oxygen, and how much carbon-dioxide and other gases. She looked puzzled, so I reminded her that in round-numbers, 80% of the atmosphere was nitrogen and the oxygen made up most of the other 20% with a few other gases thrown in.
I then pointed out that...if the poster was correct in stating that nitrogen in tires benefit us because it has larger molecules and did not leak out as rapidly as the other gases and therefore keeps tires properly inflated better than other gases.... I asked her if the tire was already fillled with 80% nitrogen and it becomes deflated due to the other gases leaking out... and if we re-fill it with more 80% nitrogen mix... "Isn't the concentration of nitrogen automatically and quite naturally increased without paying someone $100?"
You should have seen and heard the scolding that woman gave the poor service-writer when he returned with his work-order to be signed by her!
I almost felt sorry for him.
I have been using "wet" air in my tires for 65 years.
Of Course they like it better…. It has a larger profit-margin.My dealer installed a new product named bio ballast. He says they like it better than rim guard.
Bio-Ballast® - EnviroTech Services
envirotechservices.com
You could use a dryer/dehumidifier on your shop compressor and achieve the same result for a lot less money.
I did list that as an alternative. Though, for me, it's not a portable solution. Especially when I need significant volume to seat a tire.
The dealer said that it keeps the rubber soft, instead of hard and subject to future cracking like methanol. And far easier to work with than the messy rimguard. IDK what profits are made on it. My tractor came with it as part of the purchase price. He said they won’t sell a loader tractor without bio ballast in the rear wheels as part of their business practices. His price out the door was competitive with other dealers who don’t offer this. They also weld bucket hooks to the bucket for every tractor sold. He said the bio ballast drains like water, but is non toxic or corrosive, so it’s easy to repair tires.
Dealer said:..... "subject to future cracking like methanol".
He said that over time, it hardens the rubber. Not that it happens right away. Bio ballast is actually designed to keep the rubber soft.
One of my coworkers was killed when he accidently cut into a partially full drum of windshield washer fluid with a cutting torch.Millions of automobiles are on the road every day, with that methanol (windshield washer fluid) hazard under the hood!
Has the EPA warned us about this?
My point is that windshield washer fluid can be installed in tubes,...... just like CaCl can/is.!
He was using barrels as a sort of table or saw horse setup cutting 1/2x6 bar stock. The flame got close to the blue poly barrel and melted through. The barrel was not clearly labeled so he was not aware of the danger he had placed himself in. I am pretty sure he not do it with intent.
