The answer, it would appear, depends on who you ask. You see, Nitrogen is used in the space shuttle and in commercial airliners mostly because it is non-combustible. The likely hood of the tires on your Porsche getting hot enough, during normal driving, to explode is fairly slim . However, there are other reasons to consider Nitrogen.
Potential Problems from Using Compressed Air in Your Tires
Most tires are inflated with compressed air, (a combination of gasses made up of nearly 78% nitrogen (N2), 21% oxygen (O2) and 1% argon (Ar) and a few other trace gasses). There are a number of possible problems with this mixture and reasons to think about Nitrogen.
Air Leakage: The molecular makeup of rubber is such that regular compressed air can permeate through the rubber allowing the pressure in your tires to drop at a rate of 1 to 2 PSI per month (assuming constant temperatures).
Pressure Changes: Along with the normal components of compressed air comes moisture/water and water isn’t good for anything tire related. This moisture is usually a result of humidity in the air and the act of compressing it greatly increases the concentration of water by volume. Don’t believe me? Try this, next time you’re at a gas station and you plan on topping off your tires, depress the chuck on the hose for a few seconds with your thumb. Chance are your thumb will feel moist and you may even see water. It’s this water/moisture that gets into your tire, reacts to temperature changes and can change the pressure of your tires. This is why it is always suggest you check your tire pressure “cold” before you’ve driven the car and heated the tires and the moisture within.
Oxidation: Oxygen corrodes aluminum and steel possibly weakening your wheels. Additionally, oxygen reacts with rubber, in a sense,“corroding” it too (possibly making your tires unsafe). Rust and dust created from this oxidation can clog valve stems, causing them to leak. Lastly, rough surfaces on wheel flanges and tire beads (due to corrosion) may not seal properly, causing additional leaks. Combine this with the moisture mentioned above and your expensive tires can possibly be damaged
Why Nitrogen May be Better in Your Tires
For some, especially those that drive race cars or who regularly participate in Driver’s Education and other high speed events, Nitrogen provides a number of benefits:
Air Leakage: Nitrogen molecules are actually larger than the Oxygen molecules found in compressed air. So much so, that while they can still “permeate” the rubber or leak through, they do it at a much slower rate. If you fill a balloon with air by blowing into it, it will shrivel up in a short period of time (that’s the compressed air escaping through the skin of the balloon). Fill that same balloon with Nitrogen and it will remain filled for a much longer period of time. Compressed air leaks at a rate of 1 to 2 psi per month. Nitrogen leaks at a rate of 1 to 2 psi every six months.
Pressure Changes: Unlike compressed air, Nitrogen is dry. No moisture means fewer, if any, pressure fluctuations. For those of you who race and want to dial in your suspension, you already know this. For those of you spending more time on the track in High Speed Driver’s Ed events, it’s something to keep in mind.
Oxidation: Nitrogen is far less reactive than compressed air. It won’t cause rust and corrosion on steel or aluminum. More importantly, it won’t degrade the rubber.
Add the three factors above together and you have a recipe for constant pressure and better wheel/tire wear. More consistent pressure translates into better gas mileage and longer life for your expensive tires (not to mention a fine tuned suspension dialed in to your track needs for that particular day).
If Nitrogen provides such great benefits why is there even a question about using it?
Nitrogen isn’t anywhere near as available as compressed air, yet. While you can purchase cylinders of it from various suppliers, filling stations are few and far between.
Compressed air is inexpensive compared to Nitrogen. Most gas stations have compressed air available for free or a nominal fee of fifty cents or so. Shops may charge as much as $30 per tire for a nitrogen fill (although $10 is a more reasonable fee and some places will even fill for free with a tire purchase).
Lastly, and most importantly, you can get pretty much the same results (for street use) from compressed air by simply checking your tire pressure more frequently. Checking and adjusting your tires as little as once per month can provide the same benefit(s) that you get from Nitrogen for most drivers. If you’re a racer, then most likely you’re already using nitrogen and rightfully so. If you’re a Porsche enthusiast who enjoys a spirited drive now and then, simply purchase a nice gauge like this Porsche one or this one available from Moroso”
Alongside their teammates, Darren Law and Seth Nieman will pilot the 2nd of two 911 GT3 RSRs to be fielded by Flying Lizard Motorsports.
Porsche works drivers Marc Lieb (Germany) and Richard Lietz (Austria) strive to defend their Le Mans Series (LMS) title in 2010 in the Felbermayr Proton 911 GT3 RSR.
As in 2009, Porsche works driver Patrick Pilet (France) will once again support the IMSA Performance Matmut team at the wheel of a GT3 RSR in the LMS.
Dirk Werner won the coveted Porsche Cup for the most successful driver of privately-entered race cars. In addition, and perhaps more importantly, Dirk received a new 911 GT3 for his efforts.
Setting a new record with 13 podiums in 13 races Jeroen Bleekemolen not only won the title in the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup, he too took home a 911 GT3.
Porsche confirmed their commitment to Motorsport in a statement by CEO Michael Macht, “Motorsport is a central element of our company’s DNA. And it will hold an important role in the future. I’m not the only one at Porsche to be tempted to race for overall victory again at the Le Mans 24 hour race.“
Jeroen Bleekemolen receiving the keys to his new GT3
Porsche Factory Drivers
Porsche supported 10 Factory drivers throughout the 2009 season. Today’s announcements confirmed support for 5 of them. What about the rest? Most conspicuous in his absence was Wolf Henzler. The swift and sudden shakeup caused by the implosion at Farnbacher Loles leaves a hole big enough to drive a Panamera through. Where will Wolf end up? While not a Factory driver, Dirk Werner’s 2009 partner and Grand Am GT class co-champion, Leh Keen, has already signed with Mazda and Dempsey Racing…
I’ve never been a big fan of these promotional/marketing type posts, but in this case it’s different. I’m a huge Porsche Motorsport fan and an even bigger fan of the Flying Lizard team. So, it gives me great pleasure to announce that PorschePurist.com has entered into an agreement with Flying Lizard Motorsports that names our site as the first U.S. based Flying Lizard Merchandise Affiliate Partner. In recognition of this new partnership, the Flying Lizard team is offering our readers a 10% discount on all gear purchased between now and December 19th! Simply enter “PorschePurist10″ (it IS case sensitive) on the first page of your cart and the savings will be automatically applied!
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Coupon Code for Flying Lizard Merchandise
In addition to offering PorschePurist.com’s readers exclusive discounts (like the one above), our new partnership will provide other exceptional offers and promotions including exciting and unique product offerings.
More on Flying Lizard Motorsports
2 of Porsche’s Factory Works drivers (Joerg Bergmeister and Patrick Long) called the Flying Lizard team home for the 2009 season. Johannes van Overbeek, Darren Law and Seth Neiman (team principal) rounded out the roster. While the Lizards have not yet announced their plans for 2010, I know I’m not alone in hoping things remain the same given the team’s overall success last year.
For now, please join me in welcoming Flying Lizard to PorschePurist.com and enjoy the 10% savings opportunity.
While the Panamera may polarize the Porsche enthusiasts community, there seems to be know doubt about its popularity among journalists and other automotive pundits. As further proof and on the heals of the Panamera receiving an Edmunds Inside Line Editors’ Most Wanted 2010 trophy at the recent 2009 LA Auto show, Bloomberg News has named the Porsche Panamera its 2009 Car of the Year.
This is Bloomber’s first-ever Car of the Year slection, with seven categories including Car of the Year, Green Car, Economy, Family, All-Around SUV, Sports Car and Executive Sedan. All eligible contenders were evaluated by Bloomberg’s automotive columnist, Jason Harper for overall performance, intelligent design and smart style, desirability and build quality. To qualify, models must have been new or significantly revised for model year 2010, and be on sale by the first quarter of 2010.(read more about the selection process here).
According to Jason, “The Porsche Panamera has broken the sports-sedan category wide open, producing a truly desirable auto that combines the best elements of a sports car and comfortable four-door,” Harper said. “Fast and fun, the Panamera is a car with real appeal.”
I continue to see more and more Panameras on the road and the reports from new owners have all been positive. I’m not sure how yet, but at some point I would like to replace our MB E500 with a Panamera 4S as this Porsche fan’s daily driver. Hey, Porsche! How about a long term review car??
The rumor mill is in full swing this week with talk of Farnbacher Loles pulling out of the Grand-Am Rolex series and potentially closing their doors completely. Unfortunately, no one at Farnbacher is talking (we’ve made repeated phone calls), and up until today we hadn’t wanted to post anything as our information was gathered solely from various online forums, other motorsport related websites and “off the record” discussions with people close to the situation.
Here’s what changed and prompted today’s post:
1. An article in Connecticut’s New Haven Register alleging that Farnbacher Loles team principal, Gregory Loles, is at the heart of a “potentially massive embezzlement” investigation being conducted on both federal and state levels.
2. Information from within Porsche confirming that Farnbacher Loles has not yet placed orders for any of the 2010 GT3 RSRs (that would run in the ALMS) and a number of their current race cars are for sale (race cars for sale alone isn’t unusual, but coupled with no new orders…).
3. Concern over what this potential loss means to the all the good people associated and working for Farnbacher Loles Racing and the downstream impact on Porsche’s involvement in the Grand-Am series and ALMS.
Farnbacher Loles and Porsche
Farnbacher Loles is new to North American racing, but not to winning with Porsche. Founded in 2004, team history includes a class win at the Rolex 24 in 2005, GT Team and Driver Championships in 2007 and 2009 along with many other wins, podiums and accomplishments all from behind the wheel of a Porsche race car. Most recently, Farnbacher Loles entered the ALMS, fielding a 997 Porsche RSR, supported by Porsche and factory driver Wolf Henzler .
If, and at this point it still is an if, Farnbacher Loles does pull out, what does it mean to Porsche and Porsche Motorsports? More importantly, where do all the talented drivers, crew and support staff go? If there are fewer and fewer places for Porsche to place factory drivers, will they continue to support the same number?
Our thoughts and support go out to everyone involved and we hope that the team makes an official announcement soon!
James May (of Top Gear fame) recently asked a very similar question in an article published in The Telegraph. He goes on to say, “Love comes in at the eye, according to WB Yeats, but the meaning of a 911 comes through the buttocks and some demons lurking in a dark corner of the mind. Cezanne revealed the world to us through a bowl of apples. Monet did it with the front of a cathedral. Lucian Freud did it with that tubby woman lying on the sofa… Someone must be able to do it with an old Porsche.”
Porsche 718
I think I’ve found that someone in the form of Automotive Artist Stéphane Dufour* (a new sponsor of PorschePurist). According to Stéphane’s bio, he spent most of his childhood contemplating the fine automobile craftsmanship passing through his father’s workshop. His father repaired and serviced prestigious cars, authentic masterpieces which stimulated Stéphane’s imagination and would deeply influence this young boy’s day to day life. While many memorable marques passed through the doors of his father’ shop, it’s evident, by the sheer volume of work, that Porsche is his strongest passion and most prevalent muse.
Le Mans 70
I asked Stéphane to describe how he decides the autos that are to become the focus of his work, what provides his inspiration? He responded with, “My inspiration comes at any time, for any car. It can be a Porsche 911 or an Aston Martin. It can be a vintage or modern car. Most of time, it is a car that has history (race cars for example). I love the 917. This car is for me a very big source of inspiration.” You can see this inspiration first hand in Dufour’s work with such notable 917s as Martini 21, the Pink Pig and Martini N°3.
Dufour’s bio goes on to describe his work as “hyperrealistic”. I simply say it’s excellent! Apparently, I’m not alone in my assessment as Stéphane sells between 300 and 400 limited editions annually along with more than 250 original pieces.
Are you familiar with the saying, “Don’t tell me your funny, make me laugh.“? Well, I’m not an art critic, so rather than trying to tell you about Stéphane’s unique and innovative style that combines synthesizing space, light and shape with movement and color, I would rather you simply see for yourself. The presentation below is but a small sample of Stéphane’s work. His limited editions, in runs of 200 to 300 (depending on the piece), are ridiculously affordable, ranging in price from $68.00 to $180 and can be purchased in the US from his California based distributor. For those of you with a bigger artistic appetite, and the budget to match, his original works – those few that are left – are available for sale though Stéphane’s web-site.
Stéphane is but one of only a handful of artists whose work is officially licensed from Porsche A.G. Besides his original works and limited edition prints, Dufour works on custom commissions by individuals and companies alike. Offering up as evidence of his true love for his craft, Stéphane says it is, “an authentic source of joy for anyone who understands that art and automobiles are two intertwining and intimate domains…”
Over the course of 2009, close to 500,000 people will travel the hallowed halls of the new Porsche Museum (much more than twice the 200,000 originally expected). While some live close by, others have made a pilgrimage, covering 1000s of miles, on this holiest of journeys to Porsche’s very own “Mecca”. The crowds, both reverent and raucous, reinforce the obsession and passion of today’s Porschephile. They also get in the way…
The crowds on a normal day at the Porsche museum
That’s why, when given the chance, PorschePurist.com sponsor and fellow Porsche junky Cam Ingram (of the Road Scholars) jumped at the opportunity for a private tour given by the Museum’s Curator, Klaus Bischoff, on a day the Museum is closed to the public (the museum is officially closed each Monday).
Why the rock star treatment? Simple, the purpose of Cam’s trip was to research the history and provenance on a number of Porsches the Road Scholars recently acquired (including this ultra rare Gmund 356). Given the history, provenance and value of the Gmund (it’s thought to be one of only 17 remaining from the original 51 Porsche production cars) Porsche was happy to open their archives to help in the restoration.
Not only does Cam operate one of the premier Porsche restoration shops with access to incredibly rare Porsches, he’s an avid amateur photographer to boot. As a result, he took advantage of his unfettered access and captured some amazing closeups of the various rolling artwork on display at the museum. The images below are just a small sample of Cam’s photography. So, unless you know someone, have a super rare Porsche to restore (or you’re just plain lucky) your best chance at a private tour is to jump over to the Road Scholars site and live vicariously through the 70 + additional images available there. While you’re at it, don’t forget to take a look at some of the great Porsches they have for sale and in for restoration.
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Porsche 718
