Nitrogen Filled Tyres ???

[simonigrale]

I recently went to ATS for a re balance on the front wheels of the VX220 Turbo and the guys there were pushing this " F1 Technology Nitrogen " at £1.50 a tyre.

He told me that the pressure never changes with the temprature of the tyre which I thought would be a great idea for Trackdays or fast road driving as I'm always messing with the pressures especially in the fronts.

I probably should have had it done there and then for £1.50 a corner but was a bit sceptical as I have the car set up perfectly to my style.

Just wondered if anybody has tried it and what they thought ???

Cheers.

Edited by simonigrale on Monday 7th January 17:44

[V8LM]

It's the water vapour in the gas that causes the problems with pressure changes, and much of this water vapour comes from the way the tyre is fitted to the rim. It is easier to make dry nitrogen than dry air (which is 80% nitrogen anyway) so that's why it's used. I'm not sure how much benefit you'll see just pumping the tyre up with (presumably dry) nitrogen and suspect you'll have to have the tyres re-fitted too.

[stackmonkey]

The compressed air that is normally used to fill tyres is not as pure as garages would have you believe.
The water vapour (and its effects) mentioned above, for one, plus various other contaminants - none of which in any quantity to cause harm.
It used to be the case that some manufacturers would fill tyres with nitrogen on the production lines because pressures differences were more predictable and because it gives a slightly quieter ride (for some reason - I can't remember why).

"F1 technology" nitrogen? - cobblers!
It's probably 'five nines purity' i.e. 99.999% which is commonly available from regular compressed gas suppliers (Linde, Scott, etc)

[megamaniac]

One of my friends used it on his race car and the pressures did stay the same.However he got fed up with carrying a cylinder about in case it rained and he had to change the pressures.