BENEFITS
Source: CAA Québec
NITROGEN INFLATED TIRES: ASSESSMENT BY CAA-QUÉBEC
When the time comes to install tires, CAA-Québec’s consulting services are called upon by numerous motorists wanting to learn more about the main characteristics of nitrogen, especially with the greater tire stability it provides.
In fact, nitrogen represents a beneficial solution to maintain required pressure which, consequently, offers adequate handling, and may provide reduced fuel consumption. However, despite these advantages, it should not be concluded that the conventional use of air is no longer suitable. When effectively performed, a regular check of pressure in air-inflated tires allows obtaining similar performance to nitrogen inflation with regard to fuel consumption and pressure maintenance.
We’re all concerned…
According to a survey performed by the Canadian Rubber Industry Association, more than 23% of vehicles on the road in Canada have at least one under-inflated tire by 20% or more. “All motorists must be aware of the dangers linked to under-inflation of a tire, dangers that can materialize in a longer braking distance, lack of stability and premature tire wear, or even a higher risk of a blowout. Moreover, it should be remembered that for each 6°C drop with regard to the temperature at which a tire was inflated with air, the tire pressure drops by one pound, hence the importance of being particularly vigilant in the winter.”
… at what price?
On average, it will cost from $4 to $6 per tire for nitrogen inflation. To be efficient, nitrogen must be present in a proportion of 95% and over within the tire. How to be sure of that? It’s possible to obtain the rate of nitrogen using a measuring tool especially designed to that effect. Deal with a conscientious mechanic who knows how to adequately handle the required apparatus, both for introducing the nitrogen and for an adequate reading of its percentage.
The nitrogen molecules being slightly larger than those of oxygen, the permeation phenomenon (passage of gas through a solid wall) is less pronounced, signifying that there is less risk of losing pressure, an important fact in particular with low profile tires. Moreover, nitrogen allows minimizing the presence of humidity in the tire, providing added protection from premature deterioration, and will prove useful for vehicles equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system. Finally, it’s interesting to know that the trucking and aviation industries have been using nitrogen to good advantage for several years, namely to minimize blowout risks linked to overheating in the tires.