Before hitting the road, especially in hot regions like the UAE, where chances of heat build-up are most likely to occur, you must perform a quick check on tyre pressure. It is crucial to ensure that your car tyres are properly inflated and well-maintained. Maintaining the recommended tyre pressure and accurate tyre inflation are the key elements of proper tyre maintenance. Talking about tyre inflation, you have an option of filling either air or nitrogen in tyres.
While we hear suggestions to substitute nitrogen with standard air for better tyre pressure and fuel mileage, let’s find out if there is any truth behind these claims? This guide provides a detailed overview of air or nitrogen in tyres for you to make the best decision for your vehicle.
What is the Difference Between Nitrogen and Air in Tyres?
Discussed below are a few common attributes that will determine whether you should fill normal air or nitrogen in tyres.
Cost
Nitrogen tyre inflation is pricier than the freely available air inflation service. Also, when on the go, air inflation can easily be done using car tyre inflators. The cost of inflating new tyres with nitrogen is a bit high for the first time. Similarly, if you want to upgrade tyres from regular air to nitrogen, then it will cost you a hefty amount initially. Afterwards, only topping off nitrogen will be required to maintain decent tyre pressure.
Converting air-filled tyres to nitrogen inflated ones is costly because replacing air requires several cycles of filling nitrogen and purging the air out.
Maintenance
Whichever gas you opt between air or nitrogen in tyres, it never means that the regular tyre maintenance and pressure checks can be brushed off. Just like air-filled tyres, nitrogen-filled ones also require timely pressure checks, using the tyre pressure monitoring system, as the pressure may change over time.
Safety and Durability
Nitrogen is a non-reactive and non-combustible gas. Therefore, it does not aid fire in case of incidents due to heat build-up, contributing to car tyre safety.
Fuel Economy
Although fuel economy does not improve significantly by proper tyre inflation, however, consistent tyre pressure in nitrogen-filled tyres is known for improving fuel efficiency as compared to air-filled ones. This is because higher tyre pressure reduces rolling resistance.
Eco-friendly
Nitrogen is a green alternative to air in tyres as it causes lesser damage to the environment. The number of air inflated tyres being discarded annually is much higher than those of nitrogen-filled ones.
Moreover, nitrogen-filled tyres leave a lesser carbon footprint as they utilize less fuel due to consistent tyre pressure.
Tyre Pressure
Proper tyre pressure is essential for better fuel economy, enhanced tyre lifespan, and improved car handling. On the other hand, under-, or over-inflated tyres are a reason for high fuel consumption, are difficult to control and increase the chances of a tyre blowout.
Nitrogen molecules are larger than oxygen molecules present in compressed air. Being larger, nitrogen molecules do not escape the tyres easily, therefore, maintaining constant tyre pressure for a longer period. Whereas, oxygen molecules pass through the tyre surface resulting in a quick pressure drop in tyres. Nitrogen surely succeeds in this attribute from compressed air in the nitrogen vs air in tyres debate.
Tyre Ageing and Wheel Corrosion
As air comprises 21% oxygen, it tends to hold moisture inside the tyre. Since oxygen is a reactive gas it eventually oxidises the inner tyre walls resulting in premature tyre wearing. However, the wear due to such oxidation reaction is lesser and slower than that caused by the daily commute.
While on the other hand, nitrogen does not have moisture, thereby, preventing tyre ageing and wheel corrosion.
Can Nitrogen Tyres be Filled with Regular Air?
Yes, there is no harm in filling nitrogen tyres with air. Rather, it is far safer to mix the two instead of running the car on low tyre pressure which can be fatal. The only drawback of mixing nitrogen with air is the loss of performance of nitrogen-filled tyres since nitrogen gets diluted when mixed with air.
In the debate on nitrogen vs air in tyres being better for tyre inflation, nitrogen has surely surpassed air based on the above-mentioned attributes. But the only drawback of nitrogen tyre inflation is that it comes at a cost as compared to the freely available air.
Nevertheless, the use of nitrogen is not at all a substitute for regular tyre pressure checks. Therefore, whether using air or nitrogen in tyres, regular tyre pressure maintenance remains crucial.
Moreover, if you are searching for a modern car with durable tyres and high-tech features, then you should consider buying one of these used cars for sale in the UAE.
Stay tuned to the UAE’s top auto blogs for more information on automotive parts and accessories.
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