We have heard how nitrogen could be beneficial for the performance of our tires. In reality, it isn’t really about nitrogen. When you use nitrogen, it means that you reduce the level of water vapour inside the engine. Water vapour absorbs heat, which will make your tires hotter. Humid air holds more heat, which is not a good thing for the performance of the car. If the temperature inside the tire is high enough, you may experience blow outs. Normal air contains 78 percent Nitrogen, 21 percent Oxygen and 1 percent of other gases, including water vapour. Alternatively, you can use dry pure nitrogen instead of normal air. Lower level of water vapour could improve handling and fuel efficiency. You may also lengthen the life of tires, custom wheels and steel rims.
By using dry, pure nitrogen you may reduce the level of oxygen and water vapour until 5 percent. In this condition, it is possible that you can maintain the pressure by up to four time longer. The combination of oxygen, water vapour and high temperature could slowly corrode rubber tires, steel wheels and aluminium. Oxidation could degrade nearly all objects and substances on earth. Oxidation could produce small particles of rust. Eventually, these particles may clog valve stems and leaks could happen. When the oxidation process takes places, tire beads and wheel flange won’t seal properly. Oxidation will reduce the life of the rubber, especially on the inner liner. When the inner liner is oxidized, it will be easier for air to penetrate the rubber.
Even if there’s no leak on the rubber surface, your tires will continue to lose pressure. As air penetrates the rubber, oxygen will react with steel bead and steel belts. This will cause them to rush, further compromising the integrity of the tire. Nitrogen escapes through the rubber more slowly and when it comes into contact with internal metal components, the oxidation process won’t happen. Dry nitrogen shouldn’t cause corrosion of various elements in and around the tire. The use of nitrogen for tires is proven for long distance trucks. Truckers will always confirm that they notice significant saving in fuel costs and they don’t need to check the air pressure too frequently. Check local mechanic’s shops to know whether they have pure nitrogen for your tires.
If you have a business and you are planning to use only nitrogen for your trucks, it is a good idea to invest on nitrogen tanks. You can refill these tanks in supply stores for welding. You should handle these nitrogen tanks carefully, because they may have 3000 psi of pressure inside when they are full. Make sure that regulators for these tanks are in perfect condition and set at 50 psi. It should be quite simple to fill tires with pure, dry nitrogen. First of all, you need to completely deflate these tires. Once fully deflated, you should move the car or truck really slowly for about a quarter rotation of the wheel. This will squeeze the remaining air inside the tire and you can fill the dry, pure nitrogen.
