hulium - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

06-07-2003, 16:27

me mait rekons hulium in ya tires will make ya car lighter, what do u fink!

06-07-2003, 17:08

Um apparently its nitrogen which most tyre companies use these days. It doesnt lose pressure as often, it makes the car smoother and apparently FASTER!

06-07-2003, 17:09

BTW can someone get this guy a dictionary, i think he needs to learn how to spell again.

ford.boy · 06-07-2003, 17:27

There was a thread about this in the pits. HERE

Zomwit · 06-07-2003, 19:44

I've thought about this before and while helium would reduce a car's actual weight (by the tiniest bit) it wouldnt help with acceleration because the car will still have the same mass. In other words, a two tonne block of steel that floats in the air is going to require just as much energy to accelerate from a standstill as a 2 tonne block which rides on wheels (assuming there is no friction in either scenario).
Aside from that, with helium atoms being so small your tyres would probably require re-inflation very regularly (think of a 2 day old helium balloon).

LunaticSVT · 06-07-2003, 19:55

ahh but the rotational mass would be reduced on the wheels....:rollseyes:

BTW Iva Stiffe, get a stiffy for dictionary.com and learn to spell

Zomwit · 06-07-2003, 19:59

Yes, moment of inertia of the wheels would be reduced but that would be similar to lightening your flywheel.
Unsprung weight would reduce might contribute to better ride and handling but the fach that unsprung mass would remain the same might counter that..

John McMaster · 06-07-2003, 20:11

It is nitrogen,because it does'nt heat up as much as ordinary air.
Therefore maintaining a constant pressure in the tyres,used a lot in race cars to prevent overheating and blowouts.
Have even seen guys here in the Territory put it in for long trips in summer.