"Maxwell" wrote in message
...


When I saw that 8 replies were already posted, I was sure that someone
had
provided a serious response; but it was not bo be.

I have long forgotten the periodic table, so I used Wiki. Argon is
shown
as
atomic number 18, so it is a good sized molecule--although possibly
smaller
than N2--and is supposedly used when Nitrogen is not sufficiently inert.

It seems like it should work just fine, even if mixed later with dry
nitrogen or even with air; but I would call the tire manufacturer and
ask.


Better get in touch with Ingersoll-Rand and NASCAR. Apparently you know
something they don't.


Nitrogen runs cooler thus less thermal expansion, and is more predictable
due to less moisture content. But don't take my word for it.

Ingersol-Rand

consistent tire pressure

cooler running tires

Longer tire life

Better fuel mileage

Increased safety

Eliminates false alarms for Tire Sensor-equipped vehicles.

http://www.nitrogendirect.com/?gclid...FRf9IgodRyLXvg



How Stuff Works

Why don't they use normal air in race car tires?

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/question594.htm



How Stuff Works

How NASCAR Race Cars Work

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/nascar5.htm







No, I don't have any special knowledge, except that the OP stated that he
happens to have argon on hand for another purpose. Therefore in his
particular case it is possible that it is less costly than stocking a second
type of compressed gas.

Whereas the original question involved only a choice of nitrogen vs argon,
my supposition is that the two are comparable in performance--with the
possible exception that I don't know how the leakage rate of a single atom
might compare to a diatomic molecule made of two slightly smaller atoms.

However, I am not a chemist nor a physicist and the above is only my
supposition that they only recomend nitrogen because it is available, cheap,
and adiquate--so if it was mine I would ask the manufacturer, which is
Michelin in this case. Of course, I happen to subscribe to nationwide local
calling; so, if they put me on hold, it doesn't bother me to put them on
SpeakerPhone while I continue working.

I really do hope that the OP will give Michelin a call, and post the result;
because we are really beating this issue to death, and doind so in a vacuum.

Peter

BTW, I am curious about the claim regarding false alarms on tire pressure
sensor equipped vehicles; but the link provided no explanation.