Pumping nitrogen gas into car and motorcycle tires with high purity is more stable than using regular air. However, the cost of pumping nitrogen gas into tires is quite high and inconvenient.
So, what exactly is the effect of pumping nitrogen gas into tires, what are the advantages of pumping nitrogen gas into car tires and pumping nitrogen gas into motorcycle tires?
Let MIGCO explore why pumping nitrogen gas into car and motorcycle tires is of such great interest to many drivers.
Nitrogen gas tire inflation service
Most cars up to now have had their tires inflated with air, which is a mixture containing 76% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and 3% other natural gases.
However, many shops now offer a new service: inflating tires with nitrogen gas, using nitrogen gas with a purity of 92-98%. This nitrogen gas tire inflation service has been used for racing cars, large trucks, and airplanes.
But many car owners are still unclear about it and are interested in what effect pumping nitrogen gas has. If this is also a question you have, let MIGCO provide the answer in the article below!
What is the effect of pumping nitrogen gas into tires?
Pumping nitrogen gas into tires helps tires last longer compared to using regular compressed air to inflate them.
Inflating with air containing oxygen and water vapor increases the temperature inside the tire, causing rapid pressure changes that damage the tire walls and components.
In contrast, pumping nitrogen gas into tires helps the tires remain firm without oxidation or water condensation, and the temperature inside is cooler, making the tires more durable.
As we mentioned above, the composition of air commonly used to inflate tires includes:
- 1% water vapor and other gases – these leak 250 times faster than nitrogen
- 21% oxygen – it leaks 3-4 times faster than nitrogen
- 78% nitrogen – the largest molecule in air, dry, non-flammable.
Because nitrogen molecules are larger than oxygen molecules, the rate of diffusion through the rubber membrane of the tire is slower. With the same typical pressure loss, a nitrogen-inflated tire takes up to 3 months to lose the same amount of pressure as an air-inflated tire loses in just 1 month.
Therefore, if the tire is inflated with air having a higher nitrogen content and a lower content of oxygen, water vapor, and other gases, your tire will maintain the appropriate pressure for a longer time.
Advantages of using nitrogen gas to inflate car tires or motorcycle tires
The advantage of the nitrogen gas tire inflation method is the stability of the tire pressure. Therefore, inflating car tires or motorcycle tires with nitrogen gas is effective. This leads to the following benefits and effects:
– Inflating car tires with nitrogen gas helps the car save fuel:
Inflating car tires with nitrogen gas maintains the tire pressure at the standard value recommended by the manufacturer, helping the car operate more smoothly and durably.
If the tire pressure is lower than the standard value, it will increase the friction between the tire and the road surface. So, even though the car has better road grip, you will notice a significant increase in fuel consumption.
Conversely, if the tire pressure is too high, the tires will skid more on the road, causing the car to consume more fuel.
– Using nitrogen gas to inflate tires increases the lifespan of tires and rims:
Oxygen causes oxidation reactions when it comes into contact with other substances. When inflated into tires, it makes the rubber more brittle, leading to a loss of tire elasticity.
In addition, when it’s hot or when driving continuously, the temperature and pressure are high, oxygen gas will damage the inner liner and carcass of the tire.
At the valve stem, condensation of water vapor and other gases will cause it to rust and create small punctures inside the tire. These issues do not occur when you inflate motorcycle tires or car tires with nitrogen gas.
– Inflating tires with nitrogen gas is safer:
Low tire pressure, which occurs when tires are underinflated, is the cause of 90% of tire blowouts. Inflating tires with nitrogen gas helps maintain a reasonable internal pressure, reducing the potential risk of tire blowouts.
When tires are inflated with regular air, you have to reinflate them every 4-5 weeks. However, when car tires are inflated with nitrogen gas, the tire pressure warning light does not come on for up to 53 weeks.
With tires losing pressure more slowly, you will reduce the time and cost of going to the shop for regular tire pressure checks. This is similar to inflating motorcycle tires with nitrogen gas.
Researchers at Bridgestone/Firestone tire company recommend that inflating tires with 93-95% pure nitrogen gas is best.
According to Ford Motor Co., there is no difference if you use nitrogen gas with a purity of 96% or 99%.
Disadvantages of using nitrogen gas to inflate tires, using nitrogen gas to inflate car and motorcycle tires.
How much does nitrogen tire inflation cost for cars?
In addition to the advantages mentioned above, the nitrogen gas tire inflation method has the disadvantage of being expensive. So, how much does nitrogen tire inflation cost for cars?
The cost for each tire when inflating car tires with nitrogen gas is about 10,000 – 15,000 VND. This cost does not include subsequent nitrogen gas refills.
If the tires are low on air, drivers have to find a station with specialized nitrogen inflation equipment, because it is not yet widely available. In the event of an emergency, if you inflate a nitrogen tire with regular air, it will negate all the previous benefits.
With the above analysis, it is clear that inflating tires with nitrogen gas has benefits but is not really necessary. If you want to save fuel and ensure safety, you just need to check the tires regularly to maintain the correct pressure.
Hopefully, with the information above, you have a better understanding of inflating tires with nitrogen gas and the effects of pumping nitrogen gas into car tires. And from that, you can answer the question of whether or not to use nitrogen gas to inflate tires.
>>> You may be interested in: What is nitrogen gas, liquid nitrogen – nitrogen, is it toxic?
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