You mean like this.................HAHA

http://youtube.com/watch?v=_M0GNLvPmAg

 

Sweet. Now i can mount my new 18's.

Seriosly though, As long arent racing there really isnt a need for nitrogen.

 

Sounds like a really high profit item for the tire store.

I think I'll stick with ordinary air, if it's good enough for me to breath it's good enough for MINI's tires.

 

Ummmm . . . Pretty sure helium or hydrogen are a bad idea despite the potential wieght savings. The molecules of those light gasses are quite small and your tires would deflate prematurely, I think. Sounds like another job for the MythBusters!

tm

 

I have been using it in my tires for about 5 months now and have been able to maintain pressure much better than with just air. So far I am happy with the switch but thats just my feeling

 

Does the tires glow brighter the faster they spin? If so, I want some.

 

Good to know the sensors aren't in the wheel but in the hubs because I do not have acess to nitrogen for my tires

...The MININBERG..... Oh the Humanity!!

 

MadHatter is a genus! He understands the reason all tires should be filled with nitrogen. It has nothing to do with performance in passenger cars. Tire under-inflation is a serious problem of huge proportions. Under-inflated tires are responsible for decreasing economy, I forget how much oil could be conserved only by having all tires properly inflated but it was staggering. Safety was an issue as well, properly inflated tires reduce the accident rate.

 

thats right. I am Very into green energy and happen to know that if everyone in the USA kept their tires perfectly inflated, we would consume 2% less oil!

About the nitrogen. My grandfather is VERY into cars. He used to live out of his RV (not because of lack of money either), and he just loves cruising a LOT. He tried out the nitrogen with his new Hyundai Azera (a surprisingly nice care btw), and over a couple tanks full of driving from Florida (his house) to Connecticut (my house) he logged a 2-3 mpg savings using nitrogen, and since then hasn't had to refill his tires at all. He attributed the efficiency gain to the weight of the nitrogen. As far as the lack of filling goes, he explained that the Nitrogen molecule is bigger than air's jumble, and therefore makes it harder to drain unintentionally. He said he's never going back to air!

 

Now, then. If you autocross, what are you planning to do? Depending on track temps and conditions, tire pressures are adjusted up and down from five to ten pounds. Are you going to bring a tank of nitrogen with you?

I suppose you could. But all the bleeding pressure, adding pressure. Wasting money in a sport that keeps getting more expensive every year.

 

Thanks for the breakdown BIGSKY.
You really grabbed the relevent points from the thread.
I was wondering how long one could go before having to fill up.
Still sounds like a process to me, and costly as well.
Maybe a project down the road when I get myself a compressor.
I do like my Tires on the firmer side.

Originally Posted by MidniteCoop
I've been hearing about some people that have started using nitrogen in their tires instead of air. Apparently it is more stable and provides a better ride. Anyone doing this or heard of this? I guess people keep refills in their car incase they need to add a bit.
Sounds interesting, just wondering about it's pros/cons.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gromit801
First off, nitrogen is expensive. It will, like air, leak out of the tires eventually...I can't see any Mini needing nitrogen filled tires. Not even a Fireballed version.

Quote:
Originally Posted by nascar mini
You are correct that on the street, nitrogen is a waste of time and expense, i've tried it in my Mini on the street and at VIR (track day) because here, i have access to it ,we trade out approx. 45 tanks (the large ones about 5' tall) weekly,and found no advantage in back to back test. If you are full on racing, thats another story, of course thats with racing rubber.
Bill

Quote:
Originally Posted by MadHatter
Pro: You don't need to fill up your tires each month, the nitrogen really does last a lot longer.

 

Oh, the HuMINIty!

 

It doesn't have to be costly , as MadHatter mentioned Costco fills and refills for free. As it becomes more accepted others will follow. It not only improves fuel efficiency it extends the life of tires by being properly inflated and improves safety.

I personally have not used nitrogen yet, but will with my next set of tires. I have heard that the pressure remains good for extended periods of time.

Does anyone know if the Tire Rack offers nitrogen fills?

 

whoa whoa, lets be careful to not cite indirect effects here. I will grant the following:

-nitrogen leaks less slowly
-nitrogen is dry, so it isn't as suceptible to pressure changes relative to temperature

I take issue with attributing the following to nitrgoen:

improved safety, fuel mileage, and tire life

these are effects of MAINTAINING PROPER TIRE PRESSURE, and are independent of whether its nitrogen, air, or anything else in the tire. I would actually argue that nitrogen DECREASES safety, as it gives people the false sense of security that they don't need to check their tire pressures as frequently (which isn't the case, membrane leakage is only ONE of the many reasons you should check your tire pressures frequently). If you think nitrogen means you don't have to check them as often, then nitrgoen is making your tires less safe.

 

You are absolutely correct that the benefits are the result of "MAINTAINING PROPER TIRE PRESSURE". The vast majority of tires in this country are improperly inflated because the average owner does not check the tire pressure on a regular basis. Using nitrogen improves economy and safety because tires remain properly inflated longer. It is an indirect effect but in the real world it works, and that's the bottom line.

 

I run Helium. Much less unsprung weight!

 

And your tires sound like donald duck!

 

I use nitrogen in ALL my tires. It doesn't dissipate like air does. It maintains its constant pressure at all speeds and it runs cooler. It also extends the life of my tires.

Now it is easier for me as I own a nitrogen pump and I just used compressed nitrogen tanks for my supply.

It is hard to find service stations in the south that supply nitrogen for tires, so I bought my own. I understand colder climates have more of a supply of nitrogen stations so you can get this service.

I filled my current tires (new) on my SSR with nitrogen last December 2006, have put over 10,000 miles on the tires and the pressure is still at what I filled it at. This is most important on spare tires (if you have one) as it maintains the pressure over a longer period. Ever go to use a spare and it is flat?

Read this: http://www.tommcmahon.net/2004/11/fill_your_tires.html

As soon as the MINI arrives, I will drive it home and purge the air and fill with nitrogen. It is a 3 step process per tire the first time to get all the air out. After that it is just a one step process if nitrogen is needed to maintain pressure.

If any MINIs in the area are interested in this, i offer it as a service for a modest price. You can PM me for details.

 

Someone earlier asked, how are you removing the "air" from the tires when you fill them with nitrogen? I don't recall anyone answering that one.

 

Yeah, I asked that.

 

Below is the only mention of how to remove the existing air from the tires.
If there were two valve stems, Since there aren't.
Any suggestions, everything else seems to have been covered except for that.

 

So, in other words, aside from my personal opinion that use of nitrogen in your tires is of dubious value to begin with, the fact that it is substantially mixed with air anyway, makes the endeavor a complete waste.

 

You must use a nitrogen pump. This acheives the process by purging air, filling with nitrogen, then purging again. This process is repeated AT LEAST 3 times until finally filling with nitrogen.

 

Some new wheels have two holes for two valve stems. Like the Kosei K1-TS.

 

How does it hold the nitrogen in and let the air out?