Tyre inflation ?

[VXR SIX]

No, not the rising cost of rubber, the stuff that goes inside.
AIR.

An internet site claims better roadholding, less wear and increased mpg, by putting in some other gas, instead of just the air we breathe. Hmmm...

Any thoughts and have you come across this idea before?

Probably a Red Herring but you never know I guess.

[V8HSV]

Nitrogen, does help with reduced water content too

[VXR SIX]

So you use it ?

[V8HSV]

Like I'm concerned with MPG & tyre wear!

No & I doubt better road handling claims anyway

[A57 HSV]

Oxygen slowy leaks out through the tyre walls, Nitrogen either doesn't or takes much longer. I just have a good gauge & footpump & check the pressure every week or so.
Race cars can use special gas which amongst other benefits is lighter than air! As the change in my pocket might weigh more than that, I'm not bothered.
Always opened minded though, I expect someone on Pistonheads may have used it!

[V8HSV]

Oh there are many tyre dealers that will inflate at £1 per tyre

[alfienoakes]

I thought the deal with nitrogen is that its an inert gas, so the pressure doesn't change with temperature ?

[V8HSV]

that would be handy on track days as 36 psi goes to 48 psi when hot!

[VXR SIX]

Are we starting to think that we should have this stuff, by any chance then ...

[moosepig]

Air is 78% nitrogen anyway, so it probably won't make any noticeable difference to the thermal properties of the tyre to use pure nitrogen.

[ringram]

Yeah, the "inert" part of inert gases means they do not react with other elements. They still expand and contract with temperature. Its because their outer hemisphere has a balanced number of electrons and does not tend to lose or gain electrons from other elements.
In case anyone wanted to know..

[Yorkkie]

indeed from the fysics I remember the general gas law states that Initial Pressure x Initial Volume Divided by the temperature = final presssure x final volume divided by final temperature.......

in other words pressure changes with temp if volume constant or pressure changes with volume if temp constant which means if it gets hot the pressure changes

[booster]

Excuse my ignorance but is it better to inflate tyres [added to avoid more sarcy comments] to the correct pressures, when it is cold or after a run when they have warmed up?

>> Edited by booster on Monday 23 May 19:01

[Yorkkie]

my understanding is that it is better to run them inflated rather than flat

On the serious side you have to follow the manufacturers instructions, they quote the pressure and the temperature at which the pressure is correct, most quote cold temperatures eg at ambient temperature.