Nitrogen Inflated Tyres: Advantages and Disadvantages

Nitrogen is more stable than oxygen. When compared with oxygen inflated tyres, the rise in temperatures during the heat cycle remains moderate in nitrogen inflated tyres.

• Around 78 per cent of the earth’s atmosphere consists of nitrogen – the highest among all the gases.
• The level of nitrogen inside the tyre increase with an increase in temperature, and if the outside temperature drops, the level of nitrogen also starts decreasing.
• In case of punctures, nitrogen escapes slowly from the tyre, giving one enough time to visit the nearby station.
• Using nitrogen for maintaining tyre pressure levels increases tyre life and stabilizes the pressure variations. 
• Compared to regular air, filling nitrogen in vehicle tyres is a more expensive affair. 
• In case you add normal air to tyres, the nitrogen already inside the tyres becomes ineffective.

Nitrogen is a colourless, odourless, tasteless, and non-toxic gas that forms about 78% of the earth's atmosphere. It is a matter of discussion for most of the people that wheather nitrogen is better than oxygen for our tyres. One might look for aticles in different magazines regarding this and do their research on the same. Well, sure enough, nitrogen inflated tyres has gained popularity in several industries.

The air we breathe itself consists of 78% nitrogen, 21%oxygen, and 1% other elements. Hence, it is a gas that is already present in a large quantity in the air. If we consider that 98% nitrogen is as good as it gets, then it might be taken as truly superior to other gases present in the earth's atmosphere. All gases react according to the manners of expansion and condensation. Similarly, nitrogen also behaves as per the rules of the same.

Therefore, in case of tyres, when the temperature increases, the air pressure inside the tyre increases and when the outside temperature decreases, the tyre pressure also acts as directly propertional to it. Just like oxygen, nitrogen also escapes from the tyre quite slowly in case of punctures, giving it more time to run untill the car gets to the nearest repair station.

Advantages of Nitrogen inflated tyres:

1) Nitrogen reduces the running temperature of your tyre.

2) Nitrogen is more stable than oxygen. When compared with oxygen inflated tyres, the rise in temperatures during the heat cycle remains moderate in nitrogen inflated tyres.

3) Nitrogen improves ride quality. However, there is no explanation given to justify this fact.

4) Nitrogen increases tyre life. The speed of wearing of your tyres hugely depends on the operating temperature of the tyres. So, it could be beneficial to your tyre if the temperature is reduced at high speeds and load.

5) A tyres's pressure increases when it is exposed to high temperature. This is the reason why one should check the air pressure inside a tyre when it is cold. Nitrogen provides a more stable pressure range in relation to tyre temperature.

6) Nitrogen does not react with the metal wheel rim or the tyre materials. On the other hand, oxygen might react with the moisture present in the tyre and cause oxidation. This will form rust in the components.

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Disadvantages of Nitrogen:

1) Nitrogen inflation is quite costly when compared to oxygen. So, it needs to be considered seriously against the zero cost of oxygen.

2) Maintenance of nitrogen filled tyres is also quite tricky because once you have filled nitrogen inside your tyres, it is necessary that you have to use only nitrogen whenever you are up for an air filling. In case you add normal compressed air, it will make the introgen ineffective of its benefial properties.

3) The availability of nitrogen is also an issue sometimes as it is not easily available everywhere. Only the specialist tyre dealers can provide you the nitrogen filling service.

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