Using Nitrous Oxide in tires?
 

Ok friend asked me about this never heard of it before. But is there much advantage, I know N2O inherently stays cooler than just plain air is that the advantage and is it even enough to care about. Also the slower leaking that the other aspect they brag of it seems. Anywho anyone know?

Thanks,
Dustan

I think you're referring to the use of nitrogen being used to fill up tires, not nitrous oxide. The claimed advantages are:

More stable than regular air with regards to temperature change.
Less leakage through the tires' pores since nitrogen atoms/molecules are larger than say, oxygen.

Don't personally know of anyone who's had it done yet.

NASCAR and other racing series use pure nitrogen gas in tires. Nitrogen is diatomic, meaning two atom per molecule, so is oxygen. The air we breath is roughly 80% nitrogen (N2) and 20% oxygen (O2). There is always water vapor present in the air as well as small fractions of other gases: carbon dioxide, neon, argon, etc.
Pure nitrogen is used to avoid issues inherent with moisture (i.e. water vapor) that is always present in normal compressed air. A little water vapor present in a tire will warmup from the sidewall constant flexing during rotation (squeezed under wheel from vehicle loads). Water vapor has a much higher heat capacity (ability to hold heat) than nitrogen and the gas wants to expand, but since the volume of the tire is limited or fixed, the tire pressure increases. Pure nitrogen warms up too, but not any like water vapor. The tire pressure only increases slightly once tires warm up, and this is more controlable.

The Kosei K1 TS wheels I bought for Solo II (STS) use have two valve stems mounted 180 degrees apart. I thought it was weird, but I found out that nitrogen is what it is for. I guess as you add the nitrogen it forces the air out the other valve stem?

I added nitrogen to my tires recently. The gain is that the tires seem to stay uniform in shape and hardness. If it gets hotter or colder outside, you don't really notice an increase/decrease in tire pressure.

Not too bad for a climate like Canada, which can have -40 winters, and 80+ summers. Also, not bad for $5 a tire.

I had nitrous oxide added in my new michelin pilots A/S tires for my mazda 3s. My local Belle Tire Store did it with out additional costs. I'm having problems with tire howling at low and high speeds. This is my second set of tires. Toyo tires did not fair well. they cupped and feathered at 11,000 miles. yikes! any ways i was told to try the nitrous for better tire wear, gas milage, and the tires would stay cooler. NOTE: in the mazda 3s they have a tire howling when tire pressure is too high. and it was brought to attention that most mazda 3s have a tire howling problem because they are sensitive to tire pressure as low as 3psi off, so keep an eye on that pressure. My Mazda dealer adjusted all 4 tires to their specs and the low speed howl is gone. Is very present at speeds over 70 mph. good luck mazda 3s owners, hope your luck is better with your tires and are enjoying a quiet ride when you roll down those windows!

I prefer 78% nitrogen myself :)

100% nitrogen (or 95%.. because unless you do have two valve stems there's still 'real air' in there) has the benefit of.. less rotting of tires, but does anyone have tires on for that long?

The better wear and better mileage claims stem from the fact that you have to have them check the nitrogen whenever you get your tires rotated. I know the local tire shop here uses nitrogen and your warranties are voided if you ever rotate yourself or go elsewhere. Yeah, if you have the air pressure checked all the time you'll definitely get better mileage.. But again, 78% nitrogen vs 95% Nitrogen isn't huge.