Notices
Wheels & Tires 350Z Rollers and Rubbers

Inflate tire with nitrogen

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 19, 2003 | 02:01 PM
  #21  
spf4000's Avatar
spf4000
Thread Starter
New Member
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,419
Likes: 0
From: SF, freezing my @ss off
Default

For those of you regurgitating high school chem knowledge:

http://www.advancepitstop.com/Advanc...ndex=Nitrogen#

http://www.nitronics.com/news.htm

http://www.racelinecentral.com/tirehistory.html
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2003 | 06:02 PM
  #22  
AndyB's Avatar
AndyB
New Member
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 5
From: Connecticut
Default Re: oops

Originally posted by Murry

Are you telling me that the temperature inside a tire is above the boiling point of water @ 3 ATM absolute? And that nitrogen is used to eliminate the partial pressure exerted by steam?
Nope, I was not saying that at all. I was saying the opposite. The temperature would NOT reach boiling, even at 1 ATM. And if it did the presence of nitrogen would not stop it from boiling anyway.
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2003 | 10:31 PM
  #23  
raceboy's Avatar
raceboy
Banned
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 13,063
Likes: 0
From: Smackahoe Blvd
Default

Wow, lot's of speculation here. Let me tell you from my point having used Nitrogen in my kart tires for the past 15 years.

First of all, oxygen causes oxidation. Nitrogen is widely used by trucking companies to extend the life of their tires. Since they reuse the inner part and retread the tires often, they need that inner part to last as long as possible.

Nitrogen does also travels through the rubber 30-40% slower than air helping maintain proper inflation as well.

Nitrogen is a non reactive gas (won't go boom and feed a fire). You buy it from medical supply companies and therefor there is not water in the nitrogen. Otherwise the nitrogen itself expands at exactly the same rate of air, but because it is pure unlike air (especially from compressors) where there is a high water content, the nitrogen filled tire won't expand as much and you will have less air pressure change as the tire heats.


All NASCAR, CART, F1, ALMS, and all pro racing teams that I know of for that matter, use nitrogen to fill their tires.

http://www.airproducts.com/corp/rel/1996/96106.asp
http://www.bodydynamicsracing.com/tires.htm
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2003 | 04:27 AM
  #24  
Murry's Avatar
Murry
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire
Default still skeptical

Why is nitrogen more STABLE than DRY air? Why do people think that it won't change temperature like air--(Both can be condsidered ideal gases)? What it the maximum temperature inside a tire? The only theory that holds water is corrosion so far....

BTW-- Just because someone has a nice looking website doesn't make the information accurate. Their point might be correct but their wording needs help.

O2 doesn't go boom fuel does.

-Murry
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2003 | 05:46 AM
  #25  
jackwhale's Avatar
jackwhale
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 694
Likes: 0
From: Alamo, CA
Default

Thanks Raceboy for the links. Its nice to have some facts to fuel a discussion.
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2003 | 06:27 AM
  #26  
Murry's Avatar
Murry
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire
Default Air Dryer

So they are talking about the partial pressure of water vapor, not necessarily steam.

The result is that as the humidity at the track changes the pressure in a tire filled with air will change. Race teams use nitrogen because it is an inert gas, it is quite stable and relatively unaffected by changes in humidity. This means that when the race team adjusts a tire's pressure they can be sure that even after quite a few laps and any changes in weather conditions the tire pressure will be pretty close to what they set it to.
Relatively unaffected by temperature. OK sounds like dry air would work well too. Does anyone have practical experience to prove or disprove this theory. I am really curious about the truth. So don't react negatively (Flippant remarks).

-Murry
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2003 | 10:11 AM
  #27  
raceboy's Avatar
raceboy
Banned
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 13,063
Likes: 0
From: Smackahoe Blvd
Default

Dry air would also work just as well, but it's very hard to get dry air. Much easier to just get nitrogen. And then you also get the added benefit of a nonflammable gas.
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2003 | 10:40 AM
  #28  
Murry's Avatar
Murry
Registered User
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire
Default Eureka

Raceboy,

Thanks for the positive feedback. The nitrogen question finally makes sense.

See you around,

Murry
Reply
Old Mar 20, 2003 | 10:46 AM
  #29  
spf4000's Avatar
spf4000
Thread Starter
New Member
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,419
Likes: 0
From: SF, freezing my @ss off
Default

Raceboy,

Do you use nitrogen in the tires of your Z? Or is it cost prohibitive?
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2003 | 03:19 PM
  #30  
johnlotusboy's Avatar
johnlotusboy
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 648
Likes: 0
From: Bellingham WA.
Default

I use nitrogen in my tires, the pressure shift is much less with the temp. changes from freeway driving. This is more important with an initial inflation of 23psi that my Lotus uses. inflation changes 1 psi per 10 degree of temp rise, nitrogen does not rise like that and doesnt leak out like air. I get mine from a friend at a motorcycle shop, cost is under 1 dollar a tire!

It works great for me.
Good luck
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2004 | 02:56 AM
  #31  
DMONTE's Avatar
DMONTE
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
From: nj
Default

My local costco wholesale store uses nothing but nitrogen to fill their new tires that they sell I went there just the other day and ask if they could fill my tires as a member , the nasty tire manager refused funny thing is they will repair your flat tire as a member free of charge whether you purchased the tire there or not, so I guess I'll have to pull up and let all the air out of my tires and then see what they do
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2004 | 04:22 AM
  #32  
Lawn Dart's Avatar
Lawn Dart
Registered User
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 992
Likes: 2
From: New Castle, DE
Default

I work at an airport - I've been running nitrogen in my tires for about 3 months. Seems to quiet the feathering down some. I guess because the air isn't changing pressure.
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2004 | 09:34 PM
  #33  
scz's Avatar
scz
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: Scottsdale, AZ
Default

Thank god for raceboy, I was just about to say the same thing. I almost had to laugh because it was obvious that all of you guys spitting out information you read off of your periodic table/dinner placemat, have never even stepped foot on a racetrack. Raceboy is 100% correct. End of discussion, hopefully.
Reply
Old Dec 15, 2004 | 05:17 AM
  #34  
macka's Avatar
macka
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: Spring/Houston
Default

NOT SO FAST:

If my molecular phasing wave combobulator is correct...the thermal couple inline diversification overhaul mechanisim has to be interpopulated with crotch oil at or above the point of manifestation to hold the inline roundabout at or above functional worky work.

J/J

WOW - I had no idea we had this many smart folks on this board. I figured you guys would all be dumb like me

This is a good thread, I have enjoyed reading it...even though it made me feel dumb as a stump.

Macka
Reply
Old Dec 15, 2004 | 09:14 AM
  #35  
scz's Avatar
scz
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: Scottsdale, AZ
Default

Wow, you just punked everybody!
Reply
Old Dec 15, 2004 | 01:50 PM
  #36  
grifferjr's Avatar
grifferjr
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 773
Likes: 0
From: Dayton, OH
Default Re: Nitrogen

Originally posted by Murry
Nitrogen as a gas is N2 and since a nitrogen atom has a molecular weight of 7 the molecular weight of nitrogen gas is 14. By way of comparison air has a molecular weight of approximately 29. A tire filled with nitrogen gas will be lighter and have a lower moment of inertia than a tire filled with air. I can not think of any other practical advantages.

The thought that a tire filled with Nitrogen gas won't change temperature or pressure is totally incorrect. The ideal gas law (PV=mRT) shows the relation between temperature and pressure. Heat transfer will occur raising the temperature inside the tire and the pressure no matter what gas is used to inflate the tire.

I hope this helps and I anyone else has more information I would like to hear it.

-Murry


HUH?
Reply
Old Dec 15, 2004 | 08:57 PM
  #37  
Wicked4u2c's Avatar
Wicked4u2c
Registered User
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 0
From: La Mirada
Default

Raceboy you hit it right on the money!! My dad works with semi trucks and some have used Nitrogen and the life is amazing with it on. Less weight, doesn't leak out as much, and the pressure doesn't change. GOOD POST, im surprised this hasn't leaked out earlier.. Check this link out as it is very informative and you will learn everything you need to know

ENJOY PEEPS

http://irgaragesolutions.com/n2/

Last edited by Wicked4u2c; Dec 15, 2004 at 09:00 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2004 | 03:34 PM
  #38  
Santacruzslick's Avatar
Santacruzslick
Veteran
Premier Member
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,924
Likes: 0
From: Naples, Florida
Default

Ok...come on. Admit it! We all know you only want to use nitrogen to be different! LOL. I mean...who wouldn't want to be able to say "Oh yea, I put nitrogen in my tires because it's all high-performance and stuff". LOL. I'd do it!
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2004 | 08:42 PM
  #39  
phoenixZ33's Avatar
phoenixZ33
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
From: phoenix, arizona
Default

When I worked on a Ferrari Challenge team, we used Nitrogen in tires. The only reason we used it was because the pressure didn't change *as much*. It would still change during a track session, but instead of it going from say 35->42psi, it would go from 35 to 37/38psi. Other than that, I don't see why you'd need it on a street car.
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2004 | 09:49 PM
  #40  
Nano's Avatar
Nano
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,035
Likes: 0
From: Montreal, Canada
Default

nitrogen tire filling is very popular in Europe.

About 1 car every 3 new car has tires inflated with nitrogen here. Some cars have nitrogen from dealer. Everyone is equipped with nitrogen here.

You recognize nitrogen filled tires because they use red tire valve caps.

all my cars in EU have nitrogen(even my 60hp mini classic) , all my cars in NA have normal air. LoL. Honestly Imho it's a marketing business pointless scheme. There may be some benefits at the extreme(racing, military, planes, trucks etc..), but in most street driving conditions, it's irrelevant.

If I remember, Nitrogen has 10x lower permeation rate than oxygen. so a delta in pressure due to permeation that takes 10 days with oxygen, would take 100 days with nitrogen. Also, tires have been seen to run slightly cooler with nitrogen.

Last edited by Nano; Dec 19, 2004 at 10:06 PM.
Reply



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 09:50 PM.