Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2003 10:13:10 +0930
Reply-To: bobbol@ADAM.COM.AU
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Bob Bolton <bobbol@ADAM.COM.AU>
Subject: Report: Tyres and Nitrogen
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Hullo Listees, and thanks for all the responses re the above. There seem to be
several views about whether it's a scam or not - perhaps partly because I
stated that nitrogen will not expand or contract with temperature. Sorry! All
I can remember of high school chemistry 45 years ago is that the teacher's
nickname was Killer and he had a good selection of canes...
Well, here's the report. In 3 days, I covered nearly 1,000 kilometres (about
600 miles) of mainly sealed road, generally cruising at 90 kph. I got 19 miles
per (imperial) gallon, 1 mile per gallon better than on the previous similar
trip. This, however, might not relate to the nitrogen as I had some strong
headwinds and tailwinds, and a mixture of high octane unleaded and lead-
replacement petrol according to what was available in rural places. Also, found
an excellent winery and mixed up the mileage figures with the price of Cabernet-
Shiraz at one point. I think maybe she accelerated better, but there was no
increase in comfortable top cruising speed. She may have held on a bit better
in fifth gear on gentle gradients. I tested the tyre pressure cold and hot and
it was the same, but that damn thing kept slipping and I have trouble
remembering where the mark was the previous time.
I'll admit to being a chemistry dunce, so maybe despite senile dementia I shall
try for a cultural explanation of the Oz Tyres and Nitrogen Syndrome.
I propose that Australian nitrogen molecules may be bigger than American ones.
Most things in Oz are bigger - Texas, for example, is about the size of the
back paddock on an average Oz cattle station. During WW2, US servicemen
stationed here tried to shoot down our large blowflies, mistaking them for
Japanese bomber planes. Etc. Etc. Further, it is possible that Oz nitrogen
molecules do not expand like US ones when hot. Most of Oz is harsh, hot desert
and our nitrogen molecules are a tough lot, not likely to be bothered by heat.
Or flies, if it comes to that.
Finally, all criticism of the OZ Nitrogen in Tyres deal offered by my local
tyre dealer seems to have been on the basis of chemistry and the tyres
themselves. One must take into account the human factor - the effect on the
symbiosis between man and machine. My Nitrogen gave me enormous pleasure
during this trip. I felt secure in the knowledge that no tyre would explode and
catch fire. Better still, the bright red tyre valve covers attracted a deal of
favourable attention from young fellows in elderly, hand painted sedans. Can
you imagine the impression it made when I replied to these latter that the red
buttons signified that the old bus was RUNNING ON NITRO, MAN!
Bob,
Adelaide, South Australia
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