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.'

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).

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.

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.

241Commuter

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.

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.

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

Try Argon :-)

cgrx

or helium :D 25+ HP

241Commuter

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.

RotorManiac

I agree with you bernieunger. Like I said that statement is not mine, I got it from a leaflet. I wrote it to see what your opinion is.

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.

RotorManiac

Trust me fatmarco, in my country tires do lose pressure. You are in australia, you wouldn't know! Here the quality of the roads is as bad as it gets. Have to see it to believe it! Its like driving over bumps all the time Only the last couple of years a descent effort is made to improve them...
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?

Sputnik

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

Spin9k

Ever since autocrossing, I've kept 36 fnt / 34 rear. Feels more responsive. (32/32 on door).

Doctorr

Wow...'ONLY 20 Euros' for a spritz of nitrogen!

I think I am going into the nitrogen business!
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.
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doc

DJ Freon

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.

RotorManiac

English is not my mother language, so can you please explain what 'consistent' means?

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...


I agree, periodicaly checking tire pressure is essential! Thanks for your info, it was good to hear that!


I can't figure out how difference in pressure (front/rear) affects the handling, in a positive way, of a car that it has such a great weigh distribution. Isn't 36 a bit too much?

Need For Speed

i have nitrogen an it cost me 10€ 4 wheels, i feel the car at hi speed its beter.

Need For Speed

the presur cant afecte the dinamic of your car and whith a loo presur you whel spen mor tire an los handling its a competition tecnologi to the stret.

Japan8

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!

RotorManiac

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?

Sputnik

consistent basically means something that is regular and predictable. For example, Schumacher consistently finished well in Formula One races last year. And, my attendance at this forum is very consistent.

---jps

rx8miami

wierd science! you guys might as well be speakin swaheeli

RotorManiac

Thanks sputnik I got the point :D