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Model specific boards => Golf mk6 => Topic started by: am1w on 25 March 2010, 13:33

Title: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: am1w on 25 March 2010, 13:33
I filled my tyres with Nitrogen today. I noticed that the ride and handling of my GTi had improved slightly due to a slightly lower unsprung weight. The tyre presures before the change were checked and were correct.

I went to my local Kwik Fit who charged £1 per tyre. I felt it was worth it.

I am sure most forum members are aware of the advantages of using nitrogen to inflate tyres 

Here is a link from the AA:
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/safety/filling-tyres-with-nitrogen.html

Any one tried this?

Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: mags on 25 March 2010, 13:42
I filled my tyres with Nitrogen today. I immediately felt the ride of my GTi had improved and so had its handling due to a slightly lower unsprung weight.

I went to my local Kwik Fit who charged £1 per tyre. I felt it was worth it.

I am sure most forum members are aware of the advantages of using nitrogen to inflate tyres 

Here is a link from the AA:
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/safety/filling-tyres-with-nitrogen.html

Any one tried this?


I had mine filled by the dealer a couple of years ago on a TT and tbh could not tell the difference, I had the car for 7 months and what I do remember is that the pressures had stayed the same from new. I believe that quite a few dealers are supplying new cars with nitrogen filled tyres as standard.
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: FamilyDub on 25 March 2010, 14:23

I'm going to give this a try at the weekend, I think!

Maybe sort out the ride a bit more.
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: mac7 on 25 March 2010, 14:42
I filled my tyres with Nitrogen today. I noticed that the ride and handling of my GTi had improved slightly due to a slightly lower unsprung weight.

Explain how using nitrogen affects unsprung weight.
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: am1w on 25 March 2010, 14:52
I filled my tyres with Nitrogen today. I noticed that the ride and handling of my GTi had improved slightly due to a slightly lower unsprung weight.
Explain how using nitrogen affects unsprung weight.Please :rolleyes:

Less density than air so for the same tyre pressure less nitrogen is needed.
If I remember my Chemistry 'O' Level correctly, this is explained by Boyle's Law.
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: Rhyso on 25 March 2010, 15:13
What if you have a slow puncture and need to top the tyre up to get you to a garage?  (taking the spare wheel out of the equation)
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: AlanD on 25 March 2010, 15:16
I've heard mixed things from nitrogen tyres, I think its all a bit of a placebo effect.
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: GtiJames on 25 March 2010, 15:18
What if you have a slow puncture and need to top the tyre up to get you to a garage?  (taking the spare wheel out of the equation)

then you top them up with normal air...  :nerd:

dont worry there will be no explosions  :grin:
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: Rhyso on 25 March 2010, 15:23
What if you have a slow puncture and need to top the tyre up to get you to a garage?  (taking the spare wheel out of the equation)

then you top them up with normal air...  :nerd:

dont worry there will be no explosions  :grin:

I must have mis-read this bit then

 future top-ups would also have to be with nitrogen if any advantages are to be maintained
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: JJH on 25 March 2010, 15:23
I filled my tyres with Nitrogen today. I noticed that the ride and handling of my GTi had improved slightly due to a slightly lower unsprung weight. The tyre presures before the change were checked and were correct.

I went to my local Kwik Fit who charged £1 per tyre. I felt it was worth it.

I am sure most forum members are aware of the advantages of using nitrogen to inflate tyres 

Here is a link from the AA:
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/safety/filling-tyres-with-nitrogen.html

Any one tried this?



I think this belongs in the mk6 nonsense thread.
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: am1w on 25 March 2010, 15:24
What if you have a slow puncture and need to top the tyre up to get you to a garage?  (taking the spare wheel out of the equation)

I was waiting for this! :grin:
Less likely with nitrogen to have a flat unless you are a Sadu and live on a bed of nails! :laugh:
Top it up with air, go to the garage, get the tyre fixed, put nitrogen in it if thay have this facility, if not use air, go to 'your' garage next when you have time to deflate air and re-Nirogen, or deflate all tyres and fill them with air.
What a palava! Love it! :laugh:
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: GtiJames on 25 March 2010, 15:25
I've heard mixed things from nitrogen tyres, I think its all a bit of a placebo effect.

its £1 per tyre whats the worst that could happen  

(http://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u347/jnewby99/gpw-20050304-UnitedStatesDepartment.jpg) (http://s518.photobucket.com/albums/u347/jnewby99/?action=view&current=gpw-20050304-UnitedStatesDepartment.jpg)

I have used it a few times - not noticed any real performance gains but certainly seems to hold pressure for longer
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: VWKev on 25 March 2010, 15:25
Nitrogen ?  :grin: while its not flammable, I wouldnt want a blow out
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: am1w on 25 March 2010, 15:30
I've heard mixed things from nitrogen tyres, I think its all a bit of a placebo effect.
its £1 per tyre whats the worst that could happen  
(http://i518.photobucket.com/albums/u347/jnewby99/gpw-20050304-UnitedStatesDepartment.jpg) (http://s518.photobucket.com/albums/u347/jnewby99/?action=view&current=gpw-20050304-UnitedStatesDepartment.jpg)
I have used it a few times - not noticed any real performance gains but certainly seems to hold pressure for longer

Nothing like keeping the pressure up! :grin:
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: jv on 25 March 2010, 15:32
I noticed that the ride and handling of my GTi had improved slightly due to a slightly lower unsprung weight.

That is hilarious!  :grin:

I think this belongs in the mk6 nonsense thread.

Zackly.
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: Ess_Three on 25 March 2010, 16:34
I filled my tyres with Nitrogen today. I noticed that the ride and handling of my GTi had improved slightly due to a slightly lower unsprung weight. The tyre presures before the change were checked and were correct.

This is a piss-take, surely?

Air is 78% Nitrogen anyway...and last time I looked the molecular weights of the other 22% (oxygen, CO2 and other trace gasses) wasn't on par with deplated Uranium.
What a joke...

Try filling them with Helium...maybe your car will float, Back To The Future stylee.


Quote
I went to my local Kwik Fit who charged £1 per tyre. I felt it was worth it.

A fool and their money?
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: flc1962 on 25 March 2010, 17:24
I notice costco are offering this when fitting new tyres..
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: mac7 on 25 March 2010, 17:47
I filled my tyres with Nitrogen today. I noticed that the ride and handling of my GTi had improved slightly due to a slightly lower unsprung weight.
Explain how using nitrogen affects unsprung weight.Please :rolleyes:

Less density than air so for the same tyre pressure less nitrogen is needed.
If I remember my Chemistry 'O' Level correctly, this is explained by Boyle's Law.

Well, I decided to do a rough calculation to find the weight of air in your tyre at 40psi and I reckon it's no more than 150 grams. As mentioned air is 78% nitrogen anyway and the heaviest component you've excluded by using pure nitrogen is water vapour. Even at 100% relative humidity you've only got about 4 grams of water vapour in the air in your tyre. I reckon a GTI wheel and tyre weigh about 18kgs and you've lowered the mass of each corner by 4 grams max.

I think the benefits of nitrogen-filled tyres lie somewhere else. As in stability over a wider temperature range (thanks again to the exclusion of moisture), lower potential for corrosion and possibly slower leakage rates. Though unless you're lapping faster than Jensen Button on speed or are tailgating a space shuttle on it's way back to earth I doubt you'll notice any advantage.
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: jv on 25 March 2010, 17:51
i was hoping someone would do the maths. imagine being able to feel your car being 4 grams lighter per corner - getting in your car with a spec of dirt on your shoe must right upset the handling  :grin:
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: Komenda on 25 March 2010, 18:09
i was hoping someone would do the maths. imagine being able to feel your car being 4 grams lighter per corner - getting in your car with a spec of dirt on your shoe must right upset the handling  :grin:


Clearly the OP needs one of these

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2596/3732408021_8a166cb76a_o.jpg)


Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: am1w on 25 March 2010, 18:37
Do you think that someone who has never washed or hovered a car would inflate his tyres with Nitrogen? :laugh:
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: dannyd126 on 25 March 2010, 18:44
I thought id make my input on this matter, as im a motorsport technician i know the advantages of filling tyres with nitrogen, it may not be as noticable as on the road, but you will notice it majorly if on the track as filling them with pure nitrogen keeps them at a constant temperature and prevents the tyre temperature from changing.
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: mac7 on 25 March 2010, 19:07
you will notice it majorly if on the track as filling them with pure nitrogen keeps them at a constant temperature and prevents the tyre temperature from changing.

Other way round - the tyre heats the air inside. The advantage of using nitrogen over good old air is that the pressure changes less with increasing tyre temperature because there's no water vapour in there. As you say, on track this will make a significant difference.

On a road car most of the time it matters much less. Checking your tyre pressures weekly is far more beneficial than using nitrogen over air.
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: am1w on 25 March 2010, 19:39
Checking your tyre pressures weekly is far more beneficial than using nitrogen over air.

+1 :smiley:
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: Stitch on 25 March 2010, 22:45
Also. The tyre would need to be completely empty of air to start with.
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: Mew on 25 March 2010, 22:58
i was hoping someone would do the maths. imagine being able to feel your car being 4 grams lighter per corner - getting in your car with a spec of dirt on your shoe must right upset the handling  :grin:


Imagine the difference it would make if you hadn't been for a sh!t all day....
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: am1w on 25 March 2010, 22:59
i was hoping someone would do the maths. imagine being able to feel your car being 4 grams lighter per corner - getting in your car with a spec of dirt on your shoe must right upset the handling  :grin:
Imagine the difference it would make if you hadn't been for a sh!t all day....

LOL! :laugh:
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: jdjd on 26 March 2010, 01:47
i was hoping someone would do the maths. imagine being able to feel your car being 4 grams lighter per corner - getting in your car with a spec of dirt on your shoe must right upset the handling  :grin:


I best keep away from maccy's
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: topher on 26 March 2010, 01:57
Nevermind the nitrogen bullsh!t... why on earth are you doing letting kwik fit monkeys anywhere near your car?
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: RickS on 26 March 2010, 05:25
I filled my tyres with Nitrogen today. I noticed that the ride and handling of my GTi had improved slightly due to a slightly lower unsprung weight. The tyre presures before the change were checked and were correct.

I went to my local Kwik Fit who charged £1 per tyre. I felt it was worth it.

I am sure most forum members are aware of the advantages of using nitrogen to inflate tyres 

Here is a link from the AA:
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/safety/filling-tyres-with-nitrogen.html

Any one tried this?



The part about the unsprung weight is pure nonsense, the difference in density between air and nitrogen is approximately 40grammes/m³. I haven't worked out the volume of gas in 4 tyres but would guess at around 0.05m³. This means you would reduce your unsprung weight by 2 grammes! Are you saying you can notice this? I don't think so. The only advantage is possibly the reduced moisture content meaning more stable pressure.
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: am1w on 26 March 2010, 09:30
Nevermind the nitrogen bullsh!t... why on earth are you doing letting kwik fit monkeys anywhere near your car?
Do you think that someone who has never washed or hovered a car would inflate his tyres with Nitrogen?
[/quote]

I would never let those Kwik Fit baboons near the car. :sick:
They tend to damage cars with great regularity!
It was a wind-up in part but also to start a healthy discussion.
It did and we all learnt a fair amount from it: which is great! :smiley:

PS: Now, is Tornado Red the 'fastest' colour?! :rolleyes:

 
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: Jimble on 26 March 2010, 20:29
Do you think that someone who has never washed or hovered a car would inflate his tyres with Nitrogen? :laugh:

So are you saying you didn't do it or what?
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: am1w on 26 March 2010, 20:48
Do you think that someone who has never washed or hovered a car would inflate his tyres with Nitrogen? :laugh:
So are you saying you didn't do it or what?

Exactly :smiley:

Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: Jimble on 26 March 2010, 21:05
Hmmm, not sure i believe you matey, i reckon you just feel a bit of a tit for the unsprung weight bit! :laugh: but thats just my opinion :grin:
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: am1w on 26 March 2010, 21:08
Hmmm, not sure i believe you matey, i reckon you just feel a bit of a tit for the unsprung weight bit! :laugh: but thats just my opinion :grin:

Am I bothered? :laugh:
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: Jimble on 26 March 2010, 21:20
 :grin: you are good for a laugh i'll give you that!
Anyway, have you posted piccies yet?
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: am1w on 26 March 2010, 21:31
:grin: you are good for a laugh i'll give you that.

You must admit it was a well constructed wind-up. :wink:
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: Jimble on 26 March 2010, 21:32
Indeed! :grin:
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: Khare on 26 March 2010, 21:34
my dad uses nitrogen in the tyres in his wheelchair, he says its sooooo much better cos it is lighter, so less effort to push himself about, and also the pressures are always even so he doesn't have to inflate/deflate when the days are hotter/colder.
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: am1w on 26 March 2010, 21:38
my dad uses nitrogen in the tyres in his wheelchair, he says its sooooo much better cos it is lighter, so less effort to push himself about, and also the pressures are always even so he doesn't have to inflate/deflate when the days are hotter/colder.


I believe you. :cool:
You must admit it was a gas! :laugh:
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: am1w on 26 March 2010, 21:42
Indeed! :grin:

Let's join forces and construct another. :grin:
Remember there is always Kev's nonsense thread. It's great fun.
Have you seen the video clip I posted on it?
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: Jimble on 26 March 2010, 21:47
I have now! :grin:
Have you posted pics of your car yet?
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: am1w on 26 March 2010, 22:27
I have now! :grin:
Have you posted pics of your car yet?

I am going to buy a new camera this weekend. I have lost (misplaced) 2 rather good ones.
Will do so once I have the car cleaned. Damn, so much to do, so little time.
Holiday nearly over. :sad:
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: Jimble on 26 March 2010, 22:46
Sweet! i'm curious about how your xenons look?
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: am1w on 26 March 2010, 22:59
Sweet! i'm curious about how your xenons look?

They are Retro-fit ones and cost very much less than VW Xenons. Probably not as good but very much better than the standard lights. Good enough for me.
Total cost including labour and VAT: £435 for driving lights, high beam and fog lights. Diamond white in colour and light the road better. They are also not blinding to other motorists I hope. They have also been carefully aimed. Took 5.5 hours to install professionally!
Lots of forum members have not been in favour of me doing this. Spoke to my Insurance Company and they said that would be fine with no increase in premium.

I suppose it is ok to discuss Xenons on this thread as we are talking gas! :laugh:
Could get our heads bitten off by some members. :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: am1w on 26 March 2010, 23:37
Jimble: The Xenon Installation is not a wind-up, I promise. :smiley:
I decided not to have auto levelers as this would have increased the price by another £350 approximately. I can install these at a later date if I wish.
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: Jimble on 26 March 2010, 23:47
I believe you (this time), it's something i wouldn't bother with myself but i can see the appeal, i'm just wondering how they look in comparison to standard lights and factory xenons? do they butcher the standard lights or are they complete replacement units?
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: am1w on 26 March 2010, 23:59
I believe you (this time), it's something i wouldn't bother with myself but i can see the appeal, i'm just wondering how they look in comparison to standard lights and factory xenons? do they butcher the standard lights or are they complete replacement units?

They 'look' like the standard lights. No butchering goes on and the installation is all done in front and through the wheel arches. Lots of looms and God knows what. Its a huge job. I had some misgivings before the installation but all seems fine. Only things that are different are the bulbs and ofcourse the colour of the light which is diamond white. The road is better lit and I feel safer driving in the dark. They do look a bit more sexy compared to the standard yellow lights.

PS: The installer also had to alter some 'things' on the car's electronics. It was one of those mad moments when I took the decision! :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: Jimble on 27 March 2010, 00:15
Good for you, your a braver man than i :undecided:
Title: Re: Nitrogen in Tyres
Post by: am1w on 27 March 2010, 00:29
Good for you, your a braver man than i :undecided:

I was in a bit of a state when it was being installed, I must admit!