If you want to ensure both the safety and longevity of tyres then it is very important to understand how to check tyre pressure.
Properly inflated tyres and checking their inflation at regular intervals can help boost fuel economy, reduce tread wear, decrease your vehicle’s stopping distance and decrease the chances of a catastrophic tyre failure such as a blowout.
In India, whenever we go to petrol pump for getting tyre air pressue checked we find two options available for tyre refill. The first one is normal Air and the other one is Nitrogen.
Most of us often get confused as to what is good for us to fill and why.
Nitrogen has become a popular choice for many drivers, but it may not be right for everyone. We in this post will help you learn more about the difference to make the best decision for your vehicle.
Properly inflated tyres and checking their inflation at regular intervals can help boost fuel economy, reduce tread wear, decrease your vehicle’s stopping distance and decrease the chances of a catastrophic tyre failure such as a blowout.
In India, whenever we go to petrol pump for getting tyre air pressue checked we find two options available for tyre refill. The first one is normal Air and the other one is Nitrogen.
Most of us often get confused as to what is good for us to fill and why.
Nitrogen has become a popular choice for many drivers, but it may not be right for everyone. We in this post will help you learn more about the difference to make the best decision for your vehicle.
Benefits of Nitrogen-filled tyres
The main benefit of nitrogen-filled tyres is that the loss of tyre pressure is slower, because the gas in the tyre escapes more slowly than air does. With more stable tyre pressure, it is expected that, you’ll get better mileage and get full tyre life since the vehicle is always rolling on fully inflated tyres.
It is also believed that nitrogen in tyres prevents tyre “rot” by limiting the moisture that occurs inside tyres and reduce chances of corrosion in the wheel that can be caused by contact with moisture.
It is also believed that nitrogen in tyres prevents tyre “rot” by limiting the moisture that occurs inside tyres and reduce chances of corrosion in the wheel that can be caused by contact with moisture.
The Science behind putting Nitrogen in tyres
Small amounts of air naturally leak out of tyres over the time, especially when tyres are subject to large temperature swings. The reason behind this is that the walls of tyres are slightly porous. When a tyre gets hot, the air inside it expands. The added pressure pushes minute quantities of air out through the pores. So you have to get your tyre refilled at regular intervals even if your tyre doesn’t have a clear hole.
It is also believed that nitrogen tyres don’t lose tyre pressure as fast as air-filled tyres. Since nitrogen molecules are bigger than normal air molecules, it is harder for them to leak out. This means a tyre filled with nitrogen will maintain air pressure for a longer time. Therefore, the vehicle will roll on tyres that are always properly inflated, resulting in better fuel economy and longer tyre life.
A normal tyre filled with regular air loses an average 1 to 2 PSI (pounds per square inch) per month. It’s true that there is a slower loss from nitrogen-filled tyres. But this improvement is slight — only about 1.3 PSI less over the course of an entire year, according to Consumer Reports. It’s not enough to make a true difference in mileage or tyre wear for people driving passenger vehicles.
It is also believed that nitrogen tyres don’t lose tyre pressure as fast as air-filled tyres. Since nitrogen molecules are bigger than normal air molecules, it is harder for them to leak out. This means a tyre filled with nitrogen will maintain air pressure for a longer time. Therefore, the vehicle will roll on tyres that are always properly inflated, resulting in better fuel economy and longer tyre life.
A normal tyre filled with regular air loses an average 1 to 2 PSI (pounds per square inch) per month. It’s true that there is a slower loss from nitrogen-filled tyres. But this improvement is slight — only about 1.3 PSI less over the course of an entire year, according to Consumer Reports. It’s not enough to make a true difference in mileage or tyre wear for people driving passenger vehicles.
Filling tyre with Air
There’s nothing wrong with keeping your tyres inflated with air. Air is easy to find at almost all pertrol pumps and often free. Depending on where you go, it could also cost more and take longer for your tyres to be inflated with nitrogen (especially the first time).
When it comes to convenience and cost, air is the clear winner.
When it comes to convenience and cost, air is the clear winner.
Can you mix Air & Nitrogen?
Suppose you have your tyres inflated with nitrogen, but you notice that tyre looks low while taking a long road trip. Nitrogen isn’t available at any of the nearby service stations. Do you keep driving on a low tyre or fill it off with air?
The answer here is fill it off! It’s never a good idea to drive on an under-inflated tyre. Using air in tyres that have previously been filled with nitrogen will not harm your tyres. While mixing the two won’t result in an adverse chemical reaction, it will dilute the purity of the nitrogen and lessen its effectiveness.
The answer here is fill it off! It’s never a good idea to drive on an under-inflated tyre. Using air in tyres that have previously been filled with nitrogen will not harm your tyres. While mixing the two won’t result in an adverse chemical reaction, it will dilute the purity of the nitrogen and lessen its effectiveness.
So who is the winner?
In the nitrogen vs. air debate, there’s no clear winner. Whether you choose to fill your tyres with nitrogen or air, the most important aspect of tyre maintenance is maintaining proper tyre pressure. tyres that are properly inflated tend to wear more evenly, handle better, improve the fuel economy of your vehicle, and last much longer.
Nitrogen will slow the amount of tyre inflation loss to about one-third of what you’ll experience with air. This means instead of losing one to two PSI per month, you’ll lose ⅓ to ⅔ PSI per month. You’ll still need to check and top off your air at regular intervals to stay within the ideal inflation range. And you’ll spend far more than you’ll save on fuel and tyre life.
Nitrogen will slow the amount of tyre inflation loss to about one-third of what you’ll experience with air. This means instead of losing one to two PSI per month, you’ll lose ⅓ to ⅔ PSI per month. You’ll still need to check and top off your air at regular intervals to stay within the ideal inflation range. And you’ll spend far more than you’ll save on fuel and tyre life.
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