Helium gas in tires for more performance?
#1
Helium gas in tires for more performance?
I noted that Tire Choice (local tire chain in South Florida) was offering to fill all four tires with helium. They claim up to a 10% increase in gas mileage. Of coures that translates to more hp also.
Anyone heard of that mod??
Anyone heard of that mod??
#2
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Originally Posted by Oakroadsteve
I noted that Tire Choice (local tire chain in South Florida) was offering to fill all four tires with helium. They claim up to a 10% increase in gas mileage. Of coures that translates to more hp also.
Anyone heard of that mod??
Anyone heard of that mod??
A problem that I can think of though, is the need to re-inflate your tires more often. Since Helium molecules are SO much smaller that Air or Nitrogen, it will escape through the tires and the seal between tire and rim at a much faster rate.
A novel idea though... My guess is they probably charge more for this service? And with the Helium escaping your tires faster than Air or Nitrogen, you get to keep going back for more. Great money-making idea!
#4
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It probably has the same advantages as Nitrogen over regular air (which is also arguably marginal advantages), but I don't see any advantage over Nitrogen. Helium probalby costs more than Nitrogen, it probably dissipates through the tirewall faster, and it won't save any weight or add an HP to the ground. You may save a couple ounces of weight, but you might as well take a dump and do the same than spend money on helium.
As for 10% increase in economy, that's not the whole picture.
Nitrogen "leaks" slower than air, so a tire with nitrogen will remain closer to optimum pressure over a longer time than regular air. If one were to use regular air and adjust their pressures as required often enough, there would be arguably no advantage to using nitrogen because the fuel economy would be about the same. And in this case, Nitrogen probably costs you more overall since you have to pay more for it than regular air.
I just use regular air and check the pressures bi-weekly, adjusting when needed.
As for 10% increase in economy, that's not the whole picture.
Nitrogen "leaks" slower than air, so a tire with nitrogen will remain closer to optimum pressure over a longer time than regular air. If one were to use regular air and adjust their pressures as required often enough, there would be arguably no advantage to using nitrogen because the fuel economy would be about the same. And in this case, Nitrogen probably costs you more overall since you have to pay more for it than regular air.
I just use regular air and check the pressures bi-weekly, adjusting when needed.
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Originally Posted by mrdeeno
but you might as well take a dump and do the same than spend money on helium.
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#7
2017 TLX TECH V6
I believe Rosenthal Acura in MD has some kind of deal on this. I believe the advantages are minimal at best. Most of us can increase our MPG by just checking the air pressure regularly. Seems to me they should offer this free of charge anyway.
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#8
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Originally Posted by Blasted69
Yeah, but if you take a dump AND put helium in your tires your whole theory goes out the window ![rofl](https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/rofl.gif)
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#9
I now drive an accord....
Originally Posted by CleanCL
i doubt it was helium... the op probly means nitrogen
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#11
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I got my tires at Tire Choice and they filled them with nitrogen. They had them up to 40psi each and I had to let some air out to get the ride quality I was looking for.
I doubt you really mean helium.
I doubt you really mean helium.
#12
Moderator Alumnus
dumb idea...the idea of helium inside a football was botched by the mythbusters. Taken into propespective hypothesis, I highly doubt any thing good would come out of this plan.
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#15
140,000 miles young
go on a diet and take a dump. that will net you some good weight savings. Cheapest way to lighten your car is to lighten yourself - I'm working on a 20 pound weight reduction system now, should blow the doors of helium tires!
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