Nitrogen

Just got a new set of Toyo RA1s for my spec miata and they came filled with nitrogen which I have never used before. Do I need to do anything different? Is it ok to simply adjust pressures with air like I normally do? Do I still start at the cold pressures I have normally run?

 

I wouldn't expect any great difference on the street. On the track however you will. Nitrogen is pure where regular air is a mixture of other gases and moisture. Those will cause a pressure change as the tire temps increase which will affect the handling characteristics. Nitrogen will change very little in comparison and therefore makes for smaller setup changes.

Karl

 

If you want to maintain the pressure stability that Nitrogen offers, you need to keep filling it with Nitrogen. If you start adding air to increase pressure, then you'll be back to the larger variances in pressure changes as the temps change.

 

I've used the air you breathe to set numerous track records and win numerous races.

I can't be bothered to waste my money on that nonsense, until I'm competing at a higher pro level.

 

The air we breathe is about 80% nitrogen to begin with.
Nitrogen, like every other gas, will expand and contract according to temperature variations.

 

I agree 100%. I've done the same.
On another note, the OP hasn't even taken the time to respond although several of us have taken the time to respond to his question. Let's remember that.

 

Indeed, Karl. I suspect a consistent Spec Miata podium finisher wouldn't be asking that question.

 

True dat...

 

Thank you everyone for the replies, appreciate the advice. Sunday went well at Road Atlanta with no major issues, simply ran an old set of Toyos with air for the weekend until I could gather more info for my first new set-was surprised when they arrived with green caps on the valves.

As for not responding-give a guy a chance-this is the first opportunity I have had to sit and reply and its 01:00 hours on Wednesday morning.

No I am not a consistant spec miata podium finisher at this time, Sunday was the fifth day in my new to me spec miata. Enjoying learning the car, managed a 1:47 on old tires. Still have a long way to go. Will be sticking with air. Appreciate the warm welcome.

 

Congrats, that's a good time. It's ok, this crew can be as rough as your typical NASA or SCCA SM crowd!

 

I often used nitrogen in my RA -1 and RA - 888 on my 360 spyder and only normal air in my GT3 and honestly, cannot tell the difference. The cold and hot pressures stay constant during the day, so I am not certain what the actual advantage is.


Rob

 

The difference is in the moist.

Nitrogen comes from a bottle and conntains no moist at all.
Air from a normal air " fill" station will contain some or more moist.


it is in fact the moist that affects your will influence the pressurechanges the most.


If you would fill your tires with "medical" air you would have the same performanvce as with nitrogen

 

use a well maintained compressor... compression process will precipitate any water to the bottom of the storage tank... ever notice the drain at the bottom of compressor's air tank, check it frequently... also filters can be installed inline which will strip moisture and other contaminants before the air is used

 

Just about every tire when mounted is bead seated with shop air. So unless you got anhydrous shop air or AH nitrogen whatever you use to service your tires later will be a waste of time. Trackside then nitrogen becomes a convenience to air up tires, run your air tools and run your airjacks.

 

Nitrogen is over rated. Use helium...or lead.

 

We have been filling airplane tires with Nitrogen for years......reason.....stability during high temps. These big *****es produce glowing brakes X 4 on a wide body bogie.......and stays hot for some time.

I raced SM for a few years too but not sure what our owner ran in his set ups but he was first class so likely was Nitorgen. Congrats at the lap at Atlanta....SM is a great machine.