Breaking News:
Restarting after Storage » Occasional cars are put in storage for periods of time and sometimes it can be tricky to get them running again after a ...
The Importance of Speed and Balance » So, okay, I have to be honest here. Until this point, I had no clue as to how important my car's balance and speed was i...
Single Car Accidents to File a Claim or not » So you your out on the road and think that driving conditions are absolutely fine for you to drive, just a little later ...
Tires... Which One Is Right for You » Good Year, Michelin, Goodrich – what in the world is the difference between these tires? If you have ever asked yourself...
Fuel Enhancements » When it comes to the environment, one of the biggest things that people try to beat down is gasoline. Although many diff...
JDM: Problems and Benefits » Okay, so if you are like me – and quite a number of other drivers out there, you may not even be sure what a Japanese Do...
The 1984 Audi 5000s a Love Story » Okay so the title of this article is a little over the top however not far from the truth. Of all the cars I have owned ...
Break Downs » Breakdowns: Common Causes Breakdowns happen! Eventually every car will break down and will cost you money to fix. ...
2010-'11 BMW 5 Series and 5 Series Gran Turismo Re... » BMW is recalling 6,080 2010-'11 5 Series and 5 Series Gran Turismo cars because of a faulty fuel level sensor, accordin...
Standard vs. Automatic Transmission » What You Should Look for in a Standard vs. Automatic Transmission Vehicle? When it comes to buying a car, it can be so ...
RSS
TomorrowsDriver.com
Jul 31
Tire Pressure: Nitrogen vs. Air? PDF Print E-mail
Written by Walter D   
Tuesday, 01 December 2009 19:11
Many people are making the change from air in the tires to nitrogen. There are many debates about which one is better and why. Either gas will work but some clam that nitrogen is better while others are sticking to air. Some car dealerships only use nitrogen and some only use air so it is important to make the choice between the two gases.

Nitrogen is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that is present in the atmosphere in large amounts. When comparing them on the molecule level, nitrogen is larger than oxygen. Nitrogen does not combine with other chemicals as good as oxygen. The expansion and contraction of nitrogen does not seem to be related to temperature change. These characteristics are why many people feel that nitrogen is a good replacement for air in a car’s tire.

There are several reasons why some people choose nitrogen over air. It is believed that nitrogen is less likely to go through tire rubber than oxygen. This ultimately means that your tire pressure will be more stable over time. The air is composed of nitrogen, oxygen and other gases. Nitrogen is more than 70% of the atmosphere so by reducing the amount of oxygen and other gases present your tires are able to maintain proper pressure for longer periods of time. Air breaks down aluminum and steel wheels. This degradation causes leaks through the valve system and tire beads. Air also travels through rubber and it moves through the rubber regardless of whether there is a leak present. The humidity present in the air also accelerates rust and corrosion. Tire loses air at a much higher rate than nitrogen which helps to improve rolling resistance. Better performance on the road also helps to provide better fuel consumption. Nitrogen tires also supposedly run cooler than those inflated with air. This helps to keep your tire pressure more constant and you are able to keep them at the recommended pressure. Most importantly nitrogen is generally not combustible.

Most people do not think about how important proper tire pressure is. It gives you increased fuel efficiency due to a decrease in resistance. Nitrogen also helps to extend the life of your tire. Oxygen causes oxidation when allowed to interact with other materials. Oxidation is a form of degradation and it can lead to the rubber in your tires becoming brittle. At high temperatures oxygen can also react and damage the inner components of tires whereas nitrogen does not have this problem. The reliable pressure that is obtained from nitrogen also results in less blow outs which is very important to your overall safety.

Air has been used for years in tires and many dealerships still use it today. Nitrogen is more costly. It cost you an extra $10 or more to use a nitrogen alternative. So if you don’t have the extra money or don’t want to speed it air is perfectly fine. If your tire gets low and you fill it up at a local gas station it is going to be air that you are pumping into it, so air will definitely work fine. Most people cannot tell the difference between nitrogen and air when it comes to tire performance. So in the end it is a personal decision on which gas to use.

The biggest thing is regardless of which gas you use is to check your tire pressure regularly. Both gases have the potential to leak out at sometimes or another. The main reason that tires become inflated is because people do not remember to check them on a routine basis. Nitrogen does have some better qualities but it won’t save you from a leak. It is still the owner of the vehicle’s responsibility to perform monthly tire checks in order to lengthen the life of their tires.

 
Last Updated on Saturday, 30 January 2010 12:26