good motoring
Nitrogen for tyres
H.Kishie Singh

The easiest way to ensure good fuel average, better handling, safer driving and longer tyre life is to have the tyres inflated to their recommended pressure. And, remember, the pressure has to be maintained at all times. This means regular visits to the tyrewala. We all know we don’t do this. Don’t feel bad. This is a worldwide phenomenon. Tyres are the most neglected parts of the car. This results in the problems of poor fuel average, poor handling, chance of a blowout and reduced tyre life.

The reason tyres lose air is that the air-filled tyres have a large oxygen content. This leads to oxidation of the tyre and tube. Oxidation causes rubber deterioration, which allows the air to escape. This is referred to as oxidative aging and is one of the primary causes of heat build-up in the tyre, blow-outs and reduced tyre life. An under-inflated tyre is prone to friction and will heat up beyond acceptable limits. It cannot carry the load the vehicle is designed for. The steering will be sluggish. A combination of all these factors can lead to disastrous results.

The following is a quote from Wall Street Journal: "One thing government and tyre industry officials agree on is the importance of keeping tyres inflated correctly. There is always the risk of under-inflation, which stresses tyres by causing side walls to flex more and the air temperature inside to rise. Under-inflation is responsible for wearing out of tyres."

Scientists and engineers have come up with a simple solution. Don’t use air, use nitrogen. Nitrogen was used in aircraft tyres, military vehicles, mobikes while racing and F.1. racing cars. Reason? Nitrogen is dry inert air. Oxygen in the compressed air in tyres permeates through the wall of the tyres and causes under- inflation. It also causes the rubber compound to deteriorate. Dry nitrogen will not escape through the tyre rubber compound because of lack of oxidation. This means the tyre runs cooler. It does not heat up. So there is little or no chance of a blowout. Correct tyre pressure would ensure that load-bearing ability stays normal. Of course, it will also mean good fuel average, efficient braking and longer tyre life.

Experts in the tyre industry claim that oxidative aging is one of the primary causes of reduced tyre life. Oxidative aging can be caused by the diffusion of air from the pressurised air cavity of the tyre to the outside atmosphere. Tests have shown that in tyres inflated with nitrogen, there is a significant reduction in tyre failure.

Nitrogen in your tyres will not be affected by the temperature of the tarmac, which these days can be 80`B0 C. plus. It will maintain its pressure and stay cool.

Consider what aircraft tyres go through. Flying at 30,000 feet above sea-level, the air temperature can be minus 50`B0C.On touchdown the tarmac temperature could be plus 80`B0C. The aircraft touchdown speed could be about 300 kmph. The friction caused at touchdown can take the tyre temperature to 600`B0C. Passengers can hear the screeching of the tyres. Then the braking, putting more strain and stress on the tyres. A tyre blowout in an aircraft is a rare occurrence. This is all thanks to the nitrogen- inflated tyres.

Check your tyre pressure every six months. If you have a maintenance-free battery, that also needs checking up once in six months. Life will be a smooth drive.

Happy motoring.