SmokinS4™

I ran across <a href="http://www.longdistancetire.com/nitrogenpage.htm">this page at my local tireshop</a>

I am not sure of the costs, but I know racecars commonly use it. It'd be great at the track, since I have seen tires go from (cold) 30psi to 44++psi (coming off the track)

<img src="http://www.longdistancetire.com/nitrogendiagram.gif">

<i>Nitrogen is a dry, inert gas used to inflate airplane tires, off-road truck tires, military vehicle tires, and race car tires for improved performance. Oxygen in compressed air permeates through the wall of the tire, thus reducing the tire's inflation pressure. During its journey through the tire wall, oxygen oxidizes the rubber compounds in the tire, causing under-inflation and deterioration of the rubber. Dry nitrogen will maintain proper inflation pressure and will prevent auto-ignition, will not corrode rims, and will help the tire to run cooler. The result is increased safety and reduced operating cost.

<img src="http://www.longdistancetire.com/inflation2.gif">
Correct inflation is highly significant when considering tire life and performance. It is not always possible to look at a tire and detect under-inflation. However, under-inflation can cause many tire related problems. As inflation pressure largely determines a tire's load capacity, under-inflation results in an overloaded tire. An under- inflated tire operates at high deflection resulting in decreased fuel economy, sluggish handling and may result in excessive mechanical flexing and heat build up leading to catastrophic tire failure.

<b>Improved Tire Life</b>
Nitrogen will help to extend tire life by reducing premature failure of the tire. The causes of premature tire failure which are affected by oxygen include:
- Rubber deterioration by oxidation
- Rim corrosion
- Under-inflation
- Overheating
- Pressure increase due to heat build up
- Uneven wear due to improper inflation </i>

<b> Anyone have experience with N on street cars? or at least on tracks? </b>

Gator Al (Al)

Definitely would if I could. I heard Costco is using it...

Oo.et.oO

kinda need two valves to purge air and/or get the % nitrogen high. no point on street.

Fixn2xlr8

I wonder if helium would work. Im all about some weight reduction.

nord1899

you have to buy the tires from Costco though, they won't use it for everyone

Oo.et.oO

air is ~78% nitrogen. it's the water vapor in compressed air that produces pressure differentials

SmokinS4™

osmosis. Damn, I would never have thought I'd be using a Periodic Table of elements at this point in my life.

Think about it. If you fill a rubber balloon with Helium, it'll leak through osmosis and not float within 1-2 days. If you fill a mylar ballon with Helium, it will last for at least a month (I have seen it at work last for over a month and still float)

Oo.et.oO

beat me to it: atomic number of He: 2, atomic number of N: 7

S4Poor/deux@Curbside

with helium, and some with regular old air. They then punted like 10-20 of each and the difference was around + or - ten yards further. So... it should make a small weight savings...

Visti

I do it for ice racing. Due to the drastic temp fluxes and low psi (18)