Nitrogen in Tyres? Do you use it?

[Wardski]

HOW NITROGEN WORKS & WHAT IT DOES

TYRE SAFETY - EVERYTHING RIDES ON IT

Nitrogen(N2) makes up the majority of the air that we breathe (78%) and is contained in the protein of all life on earth. It is colourless, tasteless and non-toxic. The next most common component of air is oxygen (O2). Together N2 and O2 make up approximately 99% of the air that we breathe and with which we traditionally fill tyres.

N2 IS A LARGER MOLECULE THAN O2

Therefore, it cannot and does not permeate as easily as oxygen through porous material such as a rubber tyre wall. Leaking at a much slower rate than oxygen, a tyre filled with a higher percentage of N2 maintains its proper pressure roughly three to four times longer than air-filled tyres. Proper inflation provides better fuel economy, superior handling, longer tyre life and increased safety by reducing the likelihood of low pressure related loss of control, blowouts and other tyre failures.

N2 IS A DRY INERT GAS
O2 in a tyre provides unwanted oxidation. Over time, this reaction destroys the tyre wall and corrodes wheels. A tyre is prematurely aged by O2 from the inside-out as the pressurized air in the tyre makes the O2 try to escape through the tyre wall, speeding up the damaging oxidation process. N2 on the other hand, is a harmless inert gas that does not react negatively with the tyres and wheels. N2 filled tyres also reduce tyre heat, thereby decreasing rolling resistance and increasing fuel economy.

N2 IS NON-FLAMMABLE
O2 is a flammable gas while N2 is an extinguishing gas. Thus, a large number of mass transportation companies around the world fill their tyres with N2 for added fire and explosion safety. In a vehicle fire, ruptured air-filled tyres fuel the fire. N2 filled tyres slow the fire.
N2 has been used in tyres for many years on aircraft, military vehicles, off-road trucks, race cars and
Tour de France bicycles.

NITROGEN INFLATED TYRES ARE SAFER and LONGER LASTING THAN TYRES INFLATED WITH "WET OXYGEN" in COMPRESSED AIR
Nitrogen inflated tyres do not age as quickly as air inflated tyres.
Nitrogen inflated tyres improve vehicle handling through proper inflation and constantly maintained pressure.
Nitrogen inflated tyres minimize blowouts.
Nitrogen is an inert, non-combustible and non-flammable gas.
Nitrogen is a stable gas providing more constant pressure.

THE EFFECTS of UNDER INFLATION ON TYRE WEAR and FUEL USE
It is also the single most overlooked item recognized by service agents during maintenance visits. It is not uncommon to have to add inflation pressures to all tyres.

Correct inflation is highly significant when considering tyre life and performance. It is not always possible to look at a tyre and detect under-inflation. However, under-inflation can cause many tyre related problems. As inflation pressure largely determines a tyre’s load capacity, under-inflation results in an overloaded tyre. An under-inflated tyre operates at high deflection resulting in decreased fuel economy, sluggish handling and may result in excessive mechanical flexing and heat build up, leading to tyre failure.

[tricache]

I have never used it but it has always had me curious.

Are more tyre places using this now? Or at least give you the option? Any reason why this is not standard if it is better?

[Nirvandan]

Rino has nitro in his tyres. When he got new wheels I got to see his stock wheels off the car and they were very well preserved and evenly used through the tyre width, he also mentioned that he only needs to check their tyre pressure once every couple of months.

[CharlieBrown]

When i've had tyres changed in the past, Bob Jane (or whoever really) has given the option for N2.

Whilst it almost sounds a bit gimmicky, apparently it runs cooler as well, eg if you've travelled 500km, the tyres will be cooler than those using O2.

[tricache]

When i've had tyres changed in the past, Bob Jane (or whoever really) has given the option for N2.

Whilst it almost sounds a bit gimmicky, apparently it runs cooler as well, eg if you've travelled 500km, the tyres will be cooler than those using O2.

The cooler running temp is interesting, and would be something that would sway me for sure. I used to run Hankook rubber on my car and it is a known fact that they have softer sidewalls and obviously if its running warmer it is going to be softer.

Very interesting discussion...

[CharlieBrown]

...Or atleast thats what Bob Jane Rockhampton told me years ago

[AlanC]

Where can you get N2 from and how much does it cost? I assume you have to pay for it!

[Wardski]

Bob Janes does the N2, and its not very expensive (I think its about $3-5 a tyre), which is not much considering the price of rubber these days (decent STI 245/45/18's are friggin expensive!!)

[tricache]

This is sounding more and more like the "standard unleaded KMS vs premium unleaded KMs" argument now.

Typical though, its better for your car so it costs more

[shakespeare]

This is a very interesting discussion, I haven't used it and until Wardski's post had not even considered there were genuine benefits. However considering the lack of nitrogen filling stations, do N2 filled tyres lose pressure like regular air filled tyres? ie I have to put air in (not much 1-2psi) about every 1-2 months in some of my tyres?