Blacksmoke

I put nitrogen in my tires about two months ago.
Well... I noticed a slight bit of traction loss since then but I had been running the car REALLY light and not doing in racing or take offs on it.

So yesterday I am on the road alone and I feel the car and I start wondering about about that traction feel.
Well... it is alot worse than I thought.
I took the car to a clear straight away and decided to test it.
I took the TCS off and at take off I was at 2k rpm or so.
Well the car was so bad I actually slid and lost control for a second going to the other side of the road.
Now I am really concerned.
I do it again and this time I start out not as hard but I still did not have good traction at ALL.
Not even in 2nd gear.

I tested it again today with the same results.

I am begining to wonder what the hell is going on. It has me concerned.
Perhaps the tire pressure is too high. Can anyone think of any other reason for this?
My tires are only about a year old. I'd say about 15k mi on them.
They are BFG KDW's
275/40/18
My pressure should be at 32 correct?
If it is at 32 should I lessen the pressure a bit and see what it does?
What is a good pressure for everyday driving and the occasional run?

I just really need some info and suggestions on correcting this.
I cant really push my car at all.
Thanks

MustangGT0405

I dont see how filling the tires with nitrogen would change your traction. Helium maybe ().

If you are saying that the exact same tires used to be better I would attribute it to colder weather maybe or the wear?

Do you have any suspension mods. Maybe a new UCA and LCA's would improve your traction.

Blacksmoke

No mods.

It's just weird how freaking bad it is now.
Weather has been from the 40's-50's here, but this thing is sliding bad.
I'm gonna check the pressure today.
If the pressure is at 32... how much air could I let out and it still be safe?
That could help right?

BTW... how much are UCA's and LCA's anyway's
How much am I looking at spending if I get both of these and install?
I really dont have700 to spend right now.
I was hoping letting some air out would help.

ski

Cold road surfaces and cold tire treads do not make for good traction.

MustangGT0405

UCA's and LCA's vary by manufacturer but you are looking around $500. If you paid to have them installed maybe another $100-$150.

Personally I think it is just the weather. Wait till summer again.

Dex

weather

wakebord99

Wow. no mods and u lose it at 2k RPM!!!

I've got the optional 18" package with a manual trans, and if i drop the clutch at 2200rpm, it chirps a bit then goes. The kind of slipping your talking about.. i'ld have to drop my clutch at 4000+ rpm.

I would deffinately recommend checking your tire presure. It's possible that the tempurate difference effects nitrogren more than air. For example: My car's tire presure in the morning (35 deg.) is around 24, and by the time i'm done with my 1 hr commute its at 31 psi with air. It's possible that Nitrogren cold is at 31 psi, but expands to 36, or even 40 when it's warm.

I would check your tire presure bothcold and after 30 minutes of regular driving to see what the results are. BTW.. did you do this test on cold or warm tires?

Blacksmoke

Cold tires. Temp was about 50-55 here.

tlpvt

the air is ~80% nitrogen anyway, so filling tires with pure nitrogen ([sm=dontgetit.gif]btw, what's the point?)has nothing to do with traction. tire pressure, suspension, alignment, steeringetc. are obvious thinngs to check imho.

JMono

KDW's = summer tire
KDWS's = all-season

The rubber compound is totally different. It's the cool weather.