A discussion of nitrogen vs air tires is one that has been around for a while. The main benefit to using nitrogen in your tires is that it helps to keep them at a consistent pressure. This is due to the fact that nitrogen molecules are larger than oxygen molecules, meaning that they escape from the tires at a slower rate. As a result, your tires are less likely to lose pressure over time, and you won’t need to top them up as often. Additionally, nitrogen-filled tires tend to run cooler than those filled with air, which can be helpful in preventing premature wear. However, nitrogen is not without its drawbacks. It can be more expensive than air, and it can be difficult to find a reliable source of nitrogen. Ultimately, the decision of whether to use nitrogen or air in your tires is one that depends on your individual circumstances. If you do choose to use nitrogen, make sure that you monitor your tire pressure regularly to ensure that they remain inflated.
Nitrogen vs Air Which is Better For Your Tire?
Tires are one of the essential factors that decide the safety and quality of your drive. They are designed to provide the riders with utmost comfort while traveling if maintained well. Most drivers have been using compressed air for years as it is easy to find and is often free. Maintaining the right inflation pressure is recommended by the vehicle manufacturer and it can be found in the vehicle’s tire placard. When it comes to car maintenance and tire repair Nitrogen is a popular choice among many drivers. Nitrogen has been offered as an alternative for air. Nitrogen-filled tires seemed to perform better than compressed air-filled tires. But is it right for your vehicle?
The main reason why people are using nitrogen-filled tires is that it deals with tire pressure, helps in the long life of the tire, helps in better control, and maximizes fuel economy.
When compressed air is filled inside a tire, it migrates throughout the tire material. Nitrogen molecules are bigger than other air molecules and hence they move slower. So the air seeps out slower than other gas molecules making the air stay inside longer. Nitrogen seeps out 40% slower than regular air leading to a much more stable tire. It helps to maintain the air pressure for a longer period of time. A consistent inflation pressure ensures an easy drive.
Compressed air contains higher moisture or water content in them and this, in turn, can lead to the formation of rust on the car wheels. As a result, it decreases the life of the tire. Whereas in nitrogen there is no such issue of water vapor or moisture content, so there is no chance of corrosion or rust, making nitrogen the better option than compressed air as it helps in the long run.
With proper inflation pressure, they also help in providing a better grip on the road. During different weather conditions, suppose the road is wet then tire pressure becomes a crucial factor. When tires are fully inflated, the contact patch between the tire and the road is perfect. By using compressed air, the tires lose pressure relatively faster, which affects the size of the contact surface beyond what is optimal. As a result, more fuel is consumed.
Nitrogen-inflated tires are effective in any weather condition, warm or cold. Nitrogen-filled tires deliver stable performance both in dry and wet environments. If you mostly drive on highways, it is vital that you have your tires filled with nitrogen. There are numerous other advantages to utilizing nitrogen-inflated tires. Although it is somewhat more expensive than compressed air, the benefits you receive outweigh the cost difference.
Tires that are correctly inflated wear more evenly, perform better, boost your vehicle’s fuel efficiency, and last noticeably longer. Filling and bleeding tires is a time-consuming, task for a tire mechanic. However, most shops have a system that not only produces virtually pure nitrogen by straining the oxygen out of shop-compressed air but also runs through numerous purge cycles automatically. So next time when you have to fill up your tire, do not hesitate to get it inflated with nitrogen.