Nitrogen Inflated Tyres: Benefits and Drawbacks

Posted on: Apr 1, 2024 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Nitrogen Inflated Tyres: Benefits and Drawbacks

Pros and Cons of Nitrogen Inflated Tyres

This article will focus on nitrogen-inflated tyres. Filling tyre with the appropriate air pressure helps vehicles maintain grip on the road and run with better fuel efficiency.

What are Nitrogen Inflated Tyres?

The tyres lose approximately one PSI each month after you fill them. So, by checking them once a month, you can make sure that the tyres are always inflated to the right pressure. When your vehicle gets a flat tyre, it is necessary to fill it to avoid irreparable damage to the tyres or loss of control of the vehicle while driving.

Normal air was widely used for tyre inflation till a few years back. It is a mixture of 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and 1% other gases. But in recent years, nitrogen filling has gained much popularity.

Nitrogen-inflated tyres have pure nitrogen filled in them, which is dry and free from moisture, oil and other impurities. Despite many conflicting opinions among automobile experts regarding the benefits of nitrogen filling, it has already become a common practice.

Which Vehicles Use Nitrogen-Inflated Tyres?

Nowadays, nitrogen is used for filling tyres of all types of vehicles but for a long time, nitrogen-inflated tyres have been exclusively used in aircraft, commercial heavy vehicles and race cars. There were many reasons for using nitrogen-inflated tyres in these vehicles. Nitrogen is more stable than air and hence can increase the performance of the vehicle. This gas keeps the tyres cool compared to normal air and this reduces the risk of a tyre explosion.

If you are using an old vehicle with outdated tyres, then it is wise to consider nitrogen filling for the tyres. This is because, with wear-out tyres, the chances of a tyre explosion or an accident is high. If something like that happens, it may result in injuries or death of passengers or financial strain to you. Having comprehensive car insurance will be of great help in such unfortunate situations.

Advantages of Inflating Car Tyres with Nitrogen

There are several benefits to inflating car tyres with nitrogen and these include the following.

• Extended Tire Life

One of the major advantages of filling nitrogen in tyres is that it provides longevity to the tyres. This is because nitrogen is a larger molecule than oxygen and other gases found in the air, and this makes it nearly impossible for it to escape through tyre rubber compared to other gases. For this reason, the tire pressure stays more constant, potentially reducing wear and tear.

• Enhanced Fuel Efficiency

Maintaining the ideal air pressure in tyres is necessary to enhance fuel economy. High pressure in tires minimize the rolling resistance. Since nitrogen can stay in the tyres for a longer time than normal air, nitrogen tyre filling can help keep the tyre pressure at an optimal level, reducing rolling resistance and improving fuel efficiency.

• Steady Tyre Pressure

Long-term stability and reduced pressure variation due to temperature fluctuations are features of nitrogen-inflated tyres.

• Improved Vehicle Handling and Safety

For safe driving, it is imperative to maintain the proper tyre pressure. Filling tyres with nitrogen helps achieve this. Nitrogen-inflated tyres enhance grip, stability, and handling, particularly on wet and slippery roads. This can improve safety and lower the chance of accidents. You should have a valid car insurance policy to cover the damages to the car, in case of any unfortunate incidents.

• No Damage Due to Corrosion

Moisture found in the air can cause corrosion in the valve stem and tyre rim. Nitrogen does not have any corrosive properties and hence nitrogen tire filling lowers the chance of corrosion and prolongs tire life.

• Environment-Friendly

In India, approximately 275,000 tyres are discarded annually, according to statistics submitted for a National Green Tribunal case. In this, the majority are air-inflated ones. The use of nitrogen-inflated tyres can significantly reduce the amount of tyre waste generated every year, as these last for a long time. They also help minimize carbon emissions from burning tyres.

Disadvantages of Inflating Car Tyres with Nitrogen

While there are several advantages to filling tyres with nitrogen, it also holds some disadvantages.

• Need for Regular Maintenance

While nitrogen does not leak through the rubber part of a tyre in good condition, it can escape through the valve or the tyre rubber if there is unnoticed damage. So, regular checking of the pressure and maintenance of the tyre is essential.

• Cost

Nitrogen is more expensive than air, hence, nitrogen inflation will cost you more than air inflation.

• Unavailability of the Facility

Nitrogen inflation facilities may not be easily available at all locations. Only very few professional service stations offer nitrogen filling. So, those who want to get nitrogen filled in their car tyres may find it difficult to locate a station nearby.

• Time Taking Process

Nitrogen filling is a complex process since much air needs to be filtered out to get the maximum concentration of nitrogen. Even with the filter to remove oxygen, it is a time-consuming process.

Conclusion

Checking the tyres regularly to ensure adequate inflation and pressure is a must-do. Flat tyres make it difficult for the driver to control the vehicle and steer it in the direction you want. This can often lead to accidents, damaging your vehicle and sometimes causing harm to a third party or their property. If such unfortunate circumstances occur, having at least third-party car insurance will save you from financial liabilities. The policy will help you in settling the financial losses of the third party involved in the accident.

FAQs

1. What is the cost of filling nitrogen in tyres?

In India, filling nitrogen in tyres will cost you INR 40- INR 50 per tyre.

2. Can tubeless tyres be filled with nitrogen?

Yes, you can fill tubeless tyres with nitrogen. It's simple to convert a standard air tubeless tyre to a nitrogen tyre.

3. How often should the nitrogen in tyres be refilled?

A tyre with normal air loses about 1 PSI of pressure per month on average. A similar amount of pressure loss may happen over the course of two to three months in the case of a nitrogen-filled tyre. Thus, it is adequate to refill the tyres every two to three months.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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