What's in your tires...? -->check this out!
#1
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Yesterday I removed the air from my tires and placed nitrogen instead.
The information I found is the following:
'Its known that nitrogen is a neutral gas and its molecules are larger compared with air molecules. The advantage is that there is no reaction neither with the rim (in a long term basis) nor with the rubber so the rim is not oxidized and the tire never losses pressure.'
So I thought, since it cost me only 20 euros, it's a good idea to try it! First thing I noticed is that the steering wheel is a little bit heavier, and the car on good tarmac feels more direct in a way, but maybe this is only my impression... I can't really tell yet :D . One thing that I have checked with people that did the same thing is the pressure: they told me that their tires never lost ANY pressure for a long period of time(months).![Cool](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/cool.gif)
It's also claimed that consumption is slightly improved and tire life is increased.
I wrote all these just to share information with people that have tried nitrogen. I translated the above information,so if I have something wrong I apologize.
P.S. I'd like to know what pressure is everyone keeping in thier tires. Is it 32psi like stated in the manual? I have 34psi 'cause sometimes I load my car.
The information I found is the following:
'Its known that nitrogen is a neutral gas and its molecules are larger compared with air molecules. The advantage is that there is no reaction neither with the rim (in a long term basis) nor with the rubber so the rim is not oxidized and the tire never losses pressure.'
So I thought, since it cost me only 20 euros, it's a good idea to try it! First thing I noticed is that the steering wheel is a little bit heavier, and the car on good tarmac feels more direct in a way, but maybe this is only my impression... I can't really tell yet :D . One thing that I have checked with people that did the same thing is the pressure: they told me that their tires never lost ANY pressure for a long period of time(months).
![Cool](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/cool.gif)
It's also claimed that consumption is slightly improved and tire life is increased.
I wrote all these just to share information with people that have tried nitrogen. I translated the above information,so if I have something wrong I apologize.
P.S. I'd like to know what pressure is everyone keeping in thier tires. Is it 32psi like stated in the manual? I have 34psi 'cause sometimes I load my car.
#2
why would the tire lose pressure with normal air?
i thought that tyres lost pressure primarily through the bead moving around when you drove over bumps. tiny bits of air
escapes. after several weeks depending of course on how much you drove and the road surface you would have a decrease in pressure. maybe you might lose some in the valves but i can't see how nitrogen can make any difference dude.
i thought that tyres lost pressure primarily through the bead moving around when you drove over bumps. tiny bits of air
escapes. after several weeks depending of course on how much you drove and the road surface you would have a decrease in pressure. maybe you might lose some in the valves but i can't see how nitrogen can make any difference dude.
#3
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Re: What's in your tires...? -->check this out!
Originally posted by RotorManiac
Yesterday I removed the air from my tires and placed nitrogen instead.
The information I found is the following:
'Its known that nitrogen is a neutral gas and its molecules are larger compared with air molecules. The advantage is that there is no reaction neither with the rim (in a long term basis) nor with the rubber so the rim is not oxidized and the tire never losses pressure.'
Yesterday I removed the air from my tires and placed nitrogen instead.
The information I found is the following:
'Its known that nitrogen is a neutral gas and its molecules are larger compared with air molecules. The advantage is that there is no reaction neither with the rim (in a long term basis) nor with the rubber so the rim is not oxidized and the tire never losses pressure.'
Also, the difference in MW is so small that there isn't much difference in the weight of air contained in the tires. The only difference you will be observing is a function of what you did to the tire pressure.
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I'd go for the helium. That would save you, what, about 1/2 pound mass per wheel? Put 10,000 miles on your stock tires will reduce your rotating mass by much more than that.
In fact, a more effective way to lose weight for that perfect launch is liposuction.
In fact, a more effective way to lose weight for that perfect launch is liposuction.
#7
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Re: Re: What's in your tires...? -->check this out!
Originally posted by bernieunger
Nitrogen would be inert (non-reactive) compared to air, but the rest of this is wierd science. Since N2 is about 80% of air, and slightly lower molecular weight, I don't understand the larger molecule statement.
Nitrogen would be inert (non-reactive) compared to air, but the rest of this is wierd science. Since N2 is about 80% of air, and slightly lower molecular weight, I don't understand the larger molecule statement.
I did a lot of chemistry at the university, and I know N2 is not a neutral gas like argon or helium. Non-reactive is maybe the correct way to say it, compared with oxygen. As for the last part of the statement I don't understand it too.
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#8
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Originally posted by fatmarco
why would the tire lose pressure with normal air?
i thought that tyres lost pressure primarily through the bead moving around when you drove over bumps. tiny bits of air
escapes. after several weeks depending of course on how much you drove and the road surface you would have a decrease in pressure. maybe you might lose some in the valves but i can't see how nitrogen can make any difference dude.
why would the tire lose pressure with normal air?
i thought that tyres lost pressure primarily through the bead moving around when you drove over bumps. tiny bits of air
escapes. after several weeks depending of course on how much you drove and the road surface you would have a decrease in pressure. maybe you might lose some in the valves but i can't see how nitrogen can make any difference dude.
![EEK!](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/eek.gif)
But still like you said, when tiny bits of air escape, I think it makes a difference especially when you are driving hard. Isn't this the reason why tire pressure monitoring devices are used more and more nowadays?
![Smilie](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/smile.gif)
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Racers use Nitrogen in their tires, and the reason is simply because it does not hold moisture like normal air, so air pressures are much more consistent and predictable when the tires get temperature into them.
On a street tire, the lack of moisture will also mean more consistent air pressures, but they will still fluctuate with ambient and road temperature. People claiming that they never lost any pressure musn't have been checking too often.
---jps
On a street tire, the lack of moisture will also mean more consistent air pressures, but they will still fluctuate with ambient and road temperature. People claiming that they never lost any pressure musn't have been checking too often.
---jps
#10
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Re: What's in your tires...? -->check this out!
Originally posted by RotorManiac
P.S. I'd like to know what pressure is everyone keeping in thier tires. Is it 32psi like stated in the manual? I have 34psi 'cause sometimes I load my car.
P.S. I'd like to know what pressure is everyone keeping in thier tires. Is it 32psi like stated in the manual? I have 34psi 'cause sometimes I load my car.
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I do have a friend that drag races as a job. He's doing pretty well, and races against the best in alcohol funny cars every weekend. He does use Nitrogen in his tires. He told me it has to do with the compound he uses. The tires are thinner, and they heat up and cool down over a wider temperature than normal street tires. Using normal air he consistently loses air pressure and has to fill his tires after each run. Using Nitrogen he doesn't have to fill up his tires (he still checks of course). The trick he told me was that he always fills up with just a little bit more than he needs. Eg if he needs 25 psi he inflates to 28psi. The extra bit of Nitrogen is because the other molecules that leak out are about 3psi. Of course the tire never has a vacuum in it when filling, so he knows to take that into account. Whether or not this has any application on the street? I dunno. Just my little bit of info from an expert.
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Originally posted by Sputnik
...more consistent air pressures...
...more consistent air pressures...
To tell you the truth, moisture was mentioned in the leaflet (forgot to write it) but for its effects on the rim not the pressure...
![Confused](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/confused.gif)
Originally posted by DJ Freon
...he doesn't have to fill up his tires (he still checks of course)...Just my little bit of info from an expert.
...he doesn't have to fill up his tires (he still checks of course)...Just my little bit of info from an expert.
Originally posted by Spin9k
...I've kept 36 fnt / 34 rear. Feels more responsive
...I've kept 36 fnt / 34 rear. Feels more responsive
Last edited by RotorManiac; 04-26-2004 at 06:48 PM.
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Low tire pressure = more rolling resistance... we all know this. Also low tire pressure = weaker side walls. These two will affect your handling... and gas mileage!
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Re: Re: What's in your tires...? -->check this out!
Yeah I know that too, Japan8. When I said difference in pressure I meant between front and rear tires like spin9k wrote. I just haven't heard before, that by doing so, the handlingof a car is improved.
Isn't 36 a bit too much?
Originally posted by Spin9k
Ever since autocrossing, I've kept 36 fnt / 34 rear. Feels more responsive. (32/32 on door).
Ever since autocrossing, I've kept 36 fnt / 34 rear. Feels more responsive. (32/32 on door).
![Confused](https://www.rx8club.com/images/smilies/confused.gif)
#18
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Originally posted by RotorManiac
English is not my mother language, so can you please explain what 'consistent' means?...
English is not my mother language, so can you please explain what 'consistent' means?...
---jps
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