Filling up your tyres with nitrogen instead of pure oxygen could lead to longer tyre life and improved fuel efficiency for your vehicle.
However, you’ll need to do so persistently as only topping up with nitrogen every once in a blue moon is unlikely to have tangible benefits.
Goodbye O2, hello N2
Nitrogen has a different molecular structure to oxygen, and therefore escapes through the tyre’s tube at a slower rate, said tyre experts Tiger Wheel & Tyre.
While a tyre filled with compressed air could lose up to 0.14kPa in only one month, nitrogen tyres maintain their pressure for up to six months.
Having optimal tyre pressure for longer periods of time will lead to improved fuel economy as under and over-inflated tyres result in unnecessary propellant usage.
Another ace up nitrogen’s sleeves is that it keeps the rubber much cooler than air thus contributing to increased safety.
When tyres get hot, their inflation pressure rises, which in turn makes the contact patch much smaller.
A smaller contact area can cause the vehicle to lose grip and subsequently control.
With optimal pressure and lower operating temperatures, refilling your wheels with nitrogen could see them lasting up to 20% longer than when only using air.
The rims stand to benefit, too, says Supa Quick.
Nitrogen is an exceptionally dry gas, and when tyres are filled with nitrogen, it prevents the accumulation of moisture inside the wheel.
This is particularly beneficial as excess moisture can lead to corrosion of the rims and other internal components.
If you’re sold on the idea of injecting your ride’s wheels with nitrogen, you’ll be glad to know it’s rather easy to find refilling points and it’s not a terribly expensive exercise, either.
Most tyre retailers and vehicle dealers offer these services, as do automotive service centres.
At local tyre store Value Tyre, for example, it costs R30 per wheel, which translates to R120 for all four, and R150 if you have a spare.
You can also purchase DIY nitrogen inflation kits to refill the tyres at home, but these are not as readily available in South Africa as in other countries.
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