Picked up a set of winter rubber tonight!

**ZeGuru** · 11-20-2008, 11:33 PM

Picked up a set of Blizzak's today off Craigslist and tomorrow I'm putting them on. Question: Should I have them filled with nitrogen? It's about $5 a tire to do that.

I'm pretty stoked about it, they are almost new, the lady said she had them for about three months then sold the car. From the looks of the tread, she put almost no miles on them. I paid $400 for them

I'll post up some photos tomorrow.

**imahemi** · 11-20-2008, 11:41 PM

NICE!!!!!

not sure on the nitro!!!!

maybe helium????

**ZeGuru** · 11-21-2008, 12:06 AM

I've heard too many good stories not to try it. Maybe if times get tough, I can use it as whipits.

**lou1355** · 11-21-2008, 12:10 AM

The nitrogen is thermally stable, largely because the pull a vacuum before refilling each tire and that removes the humidity. You end up with a very low moisture environment inside the tyre, which reduces pressure fluctuations. It also doesn't leak down as much as air. Why that is, I do not know.

**"show"** · 11-21-2008, 03:37 PM

Originally Posted by lou1355

largely because the pull a vacuum before refilling each tire and that removes the humidity.

where did you here or see that? i worked at a tire shop and we did not do that. i had it in my 22s at the end of last year and i don't think it is a big deal.

**lafrad** · 11-21-2008, 03:48 PM

All nitrogen is in there for is to be as inert as it can be. even if they don't pull down a vacuum (hard to do, you end up popping the bead)... youa re dropping the humidty by at least half in there. Also, there is much less oxygen and other chemically active bits... so... take that how you may.

I don't do it cuz I'm cheap and I air up/down.

**lou1355** · 11-21-2008, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by "show"

where did you here or see that? i worked at a tire shop and we did not do that. i had it in my 22s at the end of last year and i don't think it is a big deal.

Personal eye witness account. I had my crew chief put N2 in my Hoosier drag slicks for thermal stability. His N2 machine first sucks out the air & humidity, then refills the mounted tire with pure N2.

Not taking that step reduces the effectiveness of the N2 fill.

**lafrad** · 11-21-2008, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by lou1355

Personal eye witness account. I had my crew chief put N2 in my Hoosier drag slicks for thermal stability. His N2 machine first sucks out the air & humidity, then refills the mounted tire with pure N2.

Not taking that step reduces the effectiveness of the N2 fill.

How did they keep the tire sealed?

**lou1355** · 11-21-2008, 04:07 PM

Originally Posted by lafrad

How did they keep the tire sealed?

OK. I called my crew chief to make sure I don't give any false memories here.

He pulls enough vacuum to begin to pull the center of the mounted tire towrds the rim. Let's call that a partial vacuum, but it's enough to suck the humidity out of the mounted tire. If he kept pulling the vacuum at that point, the beads would eventually break seal and you would lose the vacuum, and the point at which that happens depends on the sidewall design and stiffness, but you can definitely stop short of that if you are paying attention. Once that partial vacuum is pulled, you wait a minute or so, then fill the tire with the N2.

My understanding of the function of the N2 is that it is thermally stable (will not move the pressure gauge around much on hot/cool cycles) and for street use, in addition to being thermally stable, it will not leak down as fast and inhibits corrosion of your wheels (dry environment).

**ZeGuru** · 11-21-2008, 07:53 PM

OK, got em back, full of nitrogen and brand spanking new tie rods

There was SOOOO much slop in the front wheels I had to bite the bullet. So my $100 tire mount and balance turned into $520.

Oh well, the car is much quieter now with those fixed

Now I just need to get the mopar cai and struts I bought a month ago installed.

**NVRDUN** · 11-21-2008, 08:15 PM

Winter tires are nice!

I put mine on about a week ago. While I like having them on, I sure hate looking at my ride without the Foose on there.

**05magmn** · 11-21-2008, 08:37 PM

Originally Posted by lou1355

It also doesn't leak down as much as air. Why that is, I do not know.

What I was told is that air molecules are small enough to fit through the holes of the rubber molecules, but nitrogen molecules are bigger and wont fit through. or some thing like that. heres a link to some info.
http://www.getnitrogen.org/why/index.php

**gn300** · 11-21-2008, 09:34 PM

What he said!

If you are mounting them on Winter wheels i'd use nitrogen.

But if you plan to use the same rims for the summer than that would be a waste!

Better control of tire pressure = better milage and longer tire life!

**ZeGuru** · 11-21-2008, 11:10 PM

Yeah, the plan is to have these as winter duty only. Come spring, I'll be on the prowl for some fun wheel/tire combo. Ideally, I'd like to find some CSRT take-offs, but I'm (by nature of marriage) a cheap skate so we will see.

I was thinking of getting some BT center caps that have the winter tire logo on them, just for fun.

OH!! The tire shop also broke one of the lugs (the outer part), so I have to get that replaced this weekend.