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Nitrogen is all around us. When used to replace
oxygen and other gases in tire inflation, it
enhances handling, improves fuel efficiency, extends
tire life, protects the Earth and, most importantly,
keeps you safer on the road. Nitrogen in tires is becoming a popular
replacement for standard air. Nitrogen is all around
us... the air we breathe is 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen
and the rest is small amounts of other gasses. When
it comes to tire inflation, nitrogen has many
advantages over oxygen. With nitrogen tire
inflation, improvements can be noted in a vehicle's
handling, fuel efficiency and tire life through
better tire pressure retention, improved fuel
economy and cooler running tire temperatures. Here
at the Get Nitrogen Institute our goal is to provide
consumers, over-the-road truckers, fleet managers
and others information about the benefits of using
nitrogen in tires.
If you are one of the 85% of
Canadians who
don't regularly check tire
pressure, you need
nitrogen.
We take in nitrogen with
every breath. Air is composed
of:
- 1% Water Vapor and Other
Gases – Escapes up to 250
times faster than Nitrogen
- 21% Oxygen – Escapes 3-4
times faster than Nitrogen
- 78% Nitrogen – The
largest molecule in
air, dry, non-flammable.
Because of their large size,
nitrogen molecules are the least
permeable and stay in your tire
longer.
It's not
about the nitrogen. It's about
reducing oxygen, water vapor and
other gases.
By reducing the percentage of
oxygen, water vapor and other
gases in your tires from 22% to
7% or lower, your tires will
maintain proper pressure longer
than if you use “plain old air.”
For example, with 95% nitrogen
in your tires, they retain
optimal pressure three to four
times longer.
Proper
tire pressure is a big deal.
Maintain it with nitrogen, and
you'll see
these three primary benefits:
- Increased Fuel
Efficiency –
Correct tire pressure keeps
the manufacturer's
recommended “contact patch”
on the road. This lessens
the rolling resistance and
maximizes fuel efficiency.
- Longer Tire Life
– When it comes in contact
with other materials, oxygen
causes oxidation. Oxidation
can make rubber brittle and
cause it to lose tensile
strength. In addition, at
high temperatures and
pressures, oxygen reacts and
damages inner tire liners
and belt packages; nitrogen
does not.
- Increased Safety
– Under-inflated tires cause
90% of blowouts. Nitrogen
provides more reliable
pressure for reduced blowout
potential.
Other
benefits:
- Improved TPMS
Performance – If
you have a new car, you
likely are plagued by a
flashing light telling you
your tire pressure is low.
For example, one woman's
light was going off every
four to five weeks. After
inflating with nitrogen, her
light didn't reappear for 53
we
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