Hyperinflating tires

[Red]

Originally Posted by CapriRacer

I think it might be best if we confine the discussion to passenger car tires and avoid the confusion with Light Truck tires (as defined by the letters "LT" in the tire size) and Truck Tires (over the road, big rig stuff)

And the apparent difference between LT and P sized tires when it comes to inflation are? Far as I know an LT normally has a stiffer sidewall along with a load range rating. For example, on the Heep I have 30x9.5x15 BFG AT/KO Load Range C rated for 50 PSI and about ~2000lbs load.

[CapriRacer]

Originally Posted by Red

And the apparent difference between LT and P sized tires when it comes to inflation are? Far as I know an LT normally has a stiffer sidewall along with a load range rating. For example, on the Heep I have 30x9.5x15 BFG AT/KO Load Range C rated for 50 PSI and about ~2000lbs load.

This is why I want to stay in the passenger car tire arena.

LT tires are designed to be inflated up to 50, 65, 80, 95 psi, depending on the load range, where passenger car tires are designed to be inflated up to 35 psi (assuming similar usage)

And - no - the sidewall isn't designed to be stiffer, it just is because of the added reinforcement to allow higher inflation pressures.

And to answer IndyIan - all inflation pressures are cold pressures except when they are specifically are calling out pressure buildup.

[trikkonceptz]

OK Capri, we seem to be warming up to you now ... so how about some scientific information?

It's what we are waiting for ... Just as an FYI I have been running 50psi cold, Nitrofill in my tires since new, about 2 months now. I have seen better FE, better handling and better coasting ability. Also less hydroplaning in the rain, that data however was @ 50mph, a speed where hydroplaning hasn't been an issue with this vehicle before. Sidewall max rating for my goodyears is 44psi.

Also I have reduced my vehicles overall weight by about 300lbs.

[zjrog]

I for one would like to see the topic stay on P series tires. It would be a good topic for later for us SUV and truck owners.

Label me a skeptic still...

[elhigh]

Working for several years as the lot boy at a Toyota dealer, I noticed that the cars all came with the tires overinflated. Not just a few pounds, they were typically all jacked up to 60psi. I wouldn't want to leave them like that for driving around, but it gives me a feeling of some confidence that maintaining the max sidewall rating of 44 won't overstress the tire.

[NeilBlanchard]

Hello,

I think this is the right thread for this question: who can shed some light on inflating tires with "pure" nitrogen -- as opposed to ~78% nitrogen, ~21% oxygen, ~1% argon (really?), ~0.038% carbon dioxide; aka air?

[trikkonceptz]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

Hello,

I think this is the right thread for this question: who can shed some light on inflating tires with "pure" nitrogen -- as opposed to ~78% nitrogen, ~21% oxygen, ~1% argon (really?), ~0.038% carbon dioxide; aka air?

I run nitrogen in my tires as my work offers it ... the only benefit I can see is that it will control the expansion of air since there is none, also since the nitrogen molecules are larger than air, general seepage of air through side walls valve stem leaks etc .. is slightly reduced. I still have my wheels capped off every week though ..

[adam728]

Originally Posted by trikkonceptz

I run nitrogen in my tires as my work offers it ... the only benefit I can see is that it will control the expansion of air since there is none

Expansion is reduced, but still exists (nitrogen follows the ideal gas law).

Probably the biggest difference you'll see in expansion comes becasue there is less water vapor than there is in the air you get from a typical compressor setup.

[tasdrouille]

Good luck finding THE answer, as such a thing does not exists. I'd go with RH77's advice.

Capri, I can't wait to see your take on hyperinflation. You already stated you had access to a lot of information under normal operating conditions, but this is hardly useful in regards to hyperinflation.

If I was a tire manufacturer, I'm pretty sure I would fund studies to test the limits of my tires for liability purposes.

Ok so to anyone, I would like to get arguments against running at 50 psi a tire which is rated for 44 psi. What I would also like, is that for every argument you make, you explain the basis of that argument and/or provide a credible source.

[SVOboy]

I will just chime in here to say I love the term hyperinflation, and I'm going to start using it,

Looking forward to hearing more!