NITROGEN FILL:
Safety
Benefit No. 1: Better Tire Pressure
When you inflate your tires with nitrogen , you’re assured of better
tire pressure because nitrogen’s larger molecules diffuse through tires
at a much slower rate than air. Proper tire pressure means better
traction for safer operation. Proper tire pressure even increases gas
mileage.*
Safety
Benefit No. 2: Less Risk of Tire Failure
Tires inflated with nitrogen run 20% cooler than with air, reducing the
risk of tire failure which is often the result of over-heated tires.
When tires run cooler, they run safer. And
nitrogen can be mixed with
air at any time, for any reason.
Visit us today to put the 'smooth' back in your ride.
WHY NITROGEN IS IMPORTANT IN TIRE PERFORMANCE
If you
are one of the 85% of Americans who
doesn't regularly check tire pressure, you need
nitrogen.
We take in
nitrogen with every breath. Air is composed of:
-
1% Water Vapor and Other Gases – Escapes up
to 250 times faster than nitrogen
-
21% Oxygen – Escapes 3-4 times faster than
nitrogen
-
78%
nitrogen – The largest molecule in air, dry, non-flammable.
Because of
their large size, nitrogen molecules are the least permeable and stay in
your tire longer. It's not about the nitrogen. It's about
reducing oxygen, water vapor and other gases. By reducing the percentage of oxygen, water vapor and other gases in
your tires from 22% to 7% or lower, your tires will maintain proper
pressure longer than if you use “plain old air.” For example, with 95%
nitrogen in your tires, they retain optimal pressure three to four times
longer.
Proper
tire pressure is a big deal. Maintain it with nitrogen, and you'll see
these three primary benefits:
-
Increased Fuel Efficiency – Correct tire pressure keeps the
manufacturer's recommended “contact patch” on the road. This lessens the rolling
resistance and maximizes fuel efficiency.
-
Longer Tire Life – When it comes in contact with other
materials, oxygen causes oxidation. Oxidation can make rubber
brittle and cause it to lose tensile strength. In addition, at high
temperatures and pressures, oxygen reacts and damages inner tire
liners and belt packages;
nitrogen does not.
-
Increased Safety – Under-inflated tires cause 90% of
blowouts. Nitrogen provides more reliable pressure for reduced
blowout potential.
Other
benefits:
-
Improved TPMS Performance – If you have a new car, you
likely are plagued by a flashing light telling you your tire
pressure is low. For example,
one woman's light was going off every four to five weeks. After
inflating with nitrogen, her light didn't reappear for 53 weeks!
-
More Predictable Pressure Fluctuation – NASCAR
teams use nitrogen so they can more accurately predict tire pressure
fluctuation. Regular compressed air can fluctuate considerably when
water vapor is present
-
Longer Rim Life – Rim rust caused by condensation from
water vapor and other gases can get caught in valves and create slow
leaks in tires. Nitrogen is completely dry, so it eliminates the
potential for condensation.
Why
not eliminate all oxygen and water vapor?
What's right for me – 95% or 98%?
Numerous
studies have proven that nitrogen in tires reduces the volume of
gases that escape more quickly and cause damaging oxidation. However,
research also has shown that nitrogen purity beyond a certain point does
not provide additional benefits. In fact, with a nitrogen purity above
93.4%? in passenger tires, oxygen actually begins to migrate back into
the tire. You can get all the benefits of nitrogen with a purity level
between 93-98%.
-
Bridgestone/Firestone researchers say that 93-95% nitrogen
is all you need.
-
According
to Ford Motor Co., there is no difference between
96% and 99% nitrogen purity.
Who
Else Is Using Nitrogen?
-
NASCAR - NASCAR teams use nitrogen because it allows them
to more accurately predict tire pressure fluctuation. Nitrogen
fluctuates with temperature change, but it does so less than when
water vapor is present. In addition, higher nitrogen levels
eliminate the explosive properties of oxygen (oxygen loses its
explosive properties at around 9% or less) NASCAR uses bottled
nitrogen for portability.
-
Commercial Airlines – The Federal Aviation Administration
requires nitrogen in aircraft tires because it reduces the potential
for water vapor freezing at high altitudes. In addition, airlines
such as Boeing use nitrogen membranes
or “OBIGGS” on-board inert gas generation systems (OBIGGS) to layer
fuel tanks with inert nitrogen. Again, this reduces the potential
for explosions. Just imagine if the Pinto had incorporated this
technology 30 years ago, we'd still be driving them.
-
U.S. Government – NASA and the U.S. military use nitrogen
for many of the same reasons it used in commercial aircraft.
-
Food Processors and Packagers – Oxygen hastens both the
chemical breakdown and microbial spoilage of many foods. Think meat,
potato chips, cookies, etc. To help preserve foods longer,
processors and packagers often use
modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and controlled atmosphere
packaging (CAP) that replaces some or all of the oxygen in the air
inside the package
with nitrogen.
How is
nitrogen separated from other gases in air?
Membranes are
the heart of any nitrogen system. Just like a tire, the membranes are
permeable. When thousands of these permeable tubes are filled with air
at high pressures, smaller molecules leak out while the larger nitrogen
molecules travel through the tubes into a holding tank to fill your
tires or for other uses. |