For a while, nitrogen gas has been used to inflate the tyres of aircraft, heavy commercial vehicles and racing cars. Nevertheless, nitrogen gas has come into use in standard passenger cars only recently. So, what is nitrogen and how is nitrogen gas beneficial. Nitrogen is an odourless, colourless, tasteless and non-toxic gas that constitutes approximately 78% of the Earth’s atmosphere.
The advantages so far claimed for nitrogen over the compressed air for inflating tyres are mentioned below:
- It does not react with the tyre and rim materials
- Maintains a more stable tyre pressure
- It lowers temperature of the running tyres
- Slows down pressure loss rate
These points are explained in brief below:
Nitrogen does not react with the tyre and rim materials
In all likelihood, it is true. Oxygen and moisture present in the tyre can produce corrosion of the metal parts. Also, there is a hint that air reacts with the tyre’s rubber itself, but it is unclear if this is damaging or in any way lowers the average car’s tyre life. Nitrogen is a comparatively motionless gas and as it is dry, this issue is eradicated in theory.
Nitrogen maintains a more stable tyre pressure
When the temperature increases, a tyre’s inflated pressure also increases. In relation to tyre’s temperature, Nitrogen claims to render a more steady pressure range. So any gains could be accomplished only in high-speed conditions or under heavy load.
Nitrogen lowers temperature of the running tyres
While there is a little truth in the statement; however, the distinction pertains to the moisture content of the inflated gas instead of the use of nitrogen as such. Actually, dry compressed air will also generate a cooler running tyre. Moreover, it’s likely to be of advantage in instances where the tyres are functioning at or near their upper speed or load capacities.
Nitrogen slows down pressure loss rate
Tyre liners and tubes are to some extent absorbent and so the pressure in the tyre will ultimately drop. So, tyre pressures have to be checked on a regular basis. Nitrogen, due to its chemical composition, drops at a much slower phase compared to compressed air. Hence, the loss of pressure will be a little slower. Nevertheless, regular tyre pressure checks cannot be ignored because there is a likelihood of slow drop.
Now, coming to the drawbacks of nitrogen, it does have a few drawbacks that are mentioned below:
- Availability
- Maintenance
- Cost
Availability
Nitrogen is not easily available in all places; it’s usually limited to professional tyre dealers.
Maintenance
Maintaining nitrogen tyres can get a little tricky because it’s not readily available everywhere. If you have filled your car’s tyres with nitrogen, then it is vital to use nitrogen only for topping up the tyres because, pumping in the ordinary compressed air will nullify any benefits of the nitrogen.
However, if you are inside a region where nitrogen is not available and topping up your car’s tyres is essential, then top up with ordinary compressed air. Nonetheless, if you want to retrieve the advantages of nitrogen, once you are in the place where nitrogen is available, you will have to deflate your car’s tyres, and then using nitrogen, you need to inflate all the tyres.
Cost
The usual charge for filling nitrogen in a passenger car tyre is around $5 to $10 per tyre.
Things to ponder
- The earth’s atmosphere contains around 21% oxygen and 78% nitrogen with a few detected gases fused in, so when you inflate your car’s tyres with compressed air, you will still get around 78% nitrogen.
- All aircraft do not use nitrogen in their tyres; actually, only bigger aircraft with high altitude capability and high loads and high landing and take-off speeds use it. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority gives the reason to support the use of nitrogen and that is – being a comparatively motionless gas, it lowers the risk of high altitude tyre explosions that could harm or ruin an aircraft. Clearly, this is hardly a concern for the average passenger car individual.
- Furthermore, nitrogen is routinely used in off-highway vehicles where the tyres run at their highest load limit and are greatly strained.
- Moreover, nitrogen is sometimes used in the tyres of vehicles that run in possibly unsafe terrains like mines, to lower fire hazard.
- Although many tyre manufacturers state that tyre warranties won’t be impacted by using nitrogen, several others have refrained from providing any such statement.
Bottom Line
No matter which type of inflation gas is used, regular tyre pressure checks and maintenance just cannot be ignored. If you regularly maintain your vehicle and tyres in top condition, then you will be able to maximise the life of your vehicle’s tyres. Thus, checking the tyre pressures, wheel balancing and wheel alignment should be carried out on a regular basis to achieve maximum tyre life.
