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As a rider, you're always looking for ways to enhance your bike's performance, safety, and longevity. One aspect that often gets overlooked is tyre inflation. While most people use regular compressed air to fill their tyres, there's a growing trend of using nitrogen gas in tyres. But what exactly are the benefits of nitrogen gas in tyres, and is it worth considering for your ride? Let's dive in and explore the advantages and considerations of nitrogen tyre inflation.
Before we discuss the benefits of nitrogen gas in tyres, it's essential to understand what nitrogen is and how it differs from regular air. Nitrogen is a non-toxic, non-flammable, tasteless, odourless, and colourless inert gas that makes up about 78% of the Earth's atmosphere. The remaining 22% consists primarily of oxygen, along with small amounts of other gases.
When it comes to nitrogen vs air in tyres, there are a few key differences:
- Nitrogen molecules are larger than oxygen molecules, making it harder for nitrogen to pass through rubber tyre material compared to oxygen.
- Nitrogen is dry and free from moisture, oil, and other impurities when used for tyre inflation, unlike compressed air.
Nitrogen is more stable than normal compressed air or oxygen, offering consistent pressure and temperature.
Now that we understand the basic properties of nitrogen let's explore the main advantages of filling nitrogen in tyres:
One of the primary benefits of nitrogen gas in tyres is extended tyre life. Nitrogen tyre inflation helps reduce the running temperature, resulting in slower wear and tear. Since nitrogen escapes from tyres at a slower rate than air, it allows tyres to retain optimal pressure for longer, potentially reducing wear.
Moreover, the absence of moisture in nitrogen prevents corrosion in the valve stem and tyre rim, further prolonging tyre life.
Nitrogen tyre inflation offers a stable pressure range irrespective of temperature fluctuations. Tyres filled with nitrogen can operate in extremely high temperatures without the risk of bursting. The rise in temperature of a nitrogen-filled tyre remains moderate during the heat cycle compared to air-filled tyres, ensuring long-term stability and reduced pressure variation.
Maintaining ideal tyre pressure is crucial for optimal fuel economy. Nitrogen gas in tyres helps keep the pressure at the right level for longer than air. Since compressed air escapes faster from tyres, reducing pressure, it can stress the engine and drop fuel economy. By retaining tyre pressure for longer, nitrogen in tyres positively impacts fuel efficiency.
Proper tyre pressure is imperative for safe driving, and nitrogen tyre inflation maintains optimal pressure more effectively. Nitrogen-filled tyres enhance grip, stability, and handling, particularly on wet and slippery roads, improving safety and lowering accident risk.
The stable pressure range of nitrogen-filled tyres compared to air-filled ones in extreme temperatures makes them safer overall. In air-filled tyres, very high temperatures can cause tyre pressure to increase dramatically and even lead to a tyre explosion.
Statistics show that approximately 275,000 tyres are discarded daily in India, with the majority being air-inflated ones. Since nitrogen in tyres lasts longer, it significantly reduces the amount of tyre waste generated every year. Nitrogen-inflated tyres also help minimize carbon emissions from burning tyres.
While there are several benefits of nitrogen gas in tyres, it's important to consider some potential drawbacks and challenges:
Nitrogen tyre inflation is more expensive than using regular compressed air, which can even be filled free of cost. The cost may vary based on location and tyre condition, but on average, topping up nitrogen in tyres already filled with it costs around Rs. 10 per tyre in India. For first-time nitrogen filling, it may cost Rs. 40-50 per tyre as it requires several cycles of inflation and deflation to remove oxygen from the tyres.
Nitrogen filling facilities may not be as easily available as air filling stations, which are common at fuel stations, tyre repair shops, and dealers. Only certain fuel stations and tyre dealers may have nitrogen filling equipment.
Nitrogen-filled tyres require diligent maintenance. Once filled with nitrogen, compressed air cannot be mixed in as it will negate the beneficial properties of pure nitrogen. While nitrogen does not leak through rubber in good condition tyres, it can still escape through the valve or damaged tyre rubber. Regular pressure checks and tyre maintenance are essential.
Filling tyres with nitrogen is a complex and time-consuming process compared to using air. Nitrogen filling requires filtering out much of the air to achieve maximum nitrogen concentration. Even with filters to remove oxygen, it takes significant time.
To help you make an informed decision, here's a comparison of nitrogen air vs normal air in tyres:
| Parameter | Nitrogen | Normal Air |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of inflation | High | Low or nil |
| Availability | May not be easily available everywhere | Easily available at all fuel stations, tyre shops, dealers |
| Loss of tyre pressure | Nitrogen molecules are larger than air molecules, so pressure loss happens slower. Tyres retain pressure longer. | No significant difference in pressure loss vs nitrogen. Difference may not be noticeable. |
| Tyre temperature | Cooler than air-filled tyres | Higher temperature than nitrogen-filled tyres |
| Tyre maintenance | Can be tricky if nitrogen filling station is not available as air cannot be mixed in | Easy to maintain as air filling is available everywhere |
| Tyre wear | Wear is slow due to stable pressure and absence of moisture | Wear rate is higher as pressure is less stable and oxidation can lead to rusting |
| Safety | Safer than air-filled tyres as chances of tyre explosion are very low | Not as safe as nitrogen tyres; higher risk of explosion |
Nitrogen-inflated tyres have long been used in aircraft, commercial heavy vehicles, and race cars before becoming popular for regular vehicles recently. Race cars use nitrogen to avoid moisture and reduce explosion risk during sudden stops, creating extreme heat. The water droplets in compressed air can vaporise and cause tyre expansion and bursting.
Aircraft tyres are filled with nitrogen as compressed air contains water that can vaporize on landing due to extreme temperatures, leading to tyre failure. Nitrogen's non-flammable properties make it ideal for high-performance race cars to prevent tyre explosions in the event of a crash.
Older vehicles with worn-out tyres can consider using nitrogen to reduce the risk of tyre failure and accidents.
Nitrogen in tyres offers several benefits like extended tyre life, stable pressure and temperature, enhanced fuel efficiency, improved handling and safety, and environmental advantages. However, there are trade-offs to consider, such as higher costs, limited availability of filling stations, maintenance challenges of not being able to mix in air, and the time-consuming filling process.
Ultimately, the choice between nitrogen vs air in tyres depends on your individual priorities regarding cost, convenience, and performance. Proper tyre inflation and regular pressure checks are essential for vehicle safety regardless of the type of gas used.
If you're considering switching to nitrogen tyre inflation, it's essential to choose tyres that offer consistent performance and safety. With many decades of experience, Eurogrip provides globally tested and certified tyres, backed by strong warranty coverage and dependable after-sales support—making it a reliable option for riders looking to get the most out of their tyre investment.
Remember, whether you choose nitrogen or regular air, the key is to maintain proper tyre pressure and ensure regular maintenance for a safe and enjoyable riding experience.