Unless you have been living in a cave for the past few years, you would have heard about nitrogen gas for tyres. Here is more information about the same…
Pros:
- Nitrogen reduces the running temperature of the tyre. The moisture content of nitrogen leads to a cooler running tyre, which is advantageous when the car or bike is operating at its maximum load and speed capacity.
- Nitrogen in tyres improves the ride quality. That gas is very slightly lighter than air and thus, benefits the tires in terms of un-sprung weight.
- It is assumed that Nitrogen increases tyre life. It reduces the operating temperature during times of load and speed and thus, enhances the life of a tyre.
- It is believed that nitrogen keeps tyre pressures more constant. The gas is assumed to provide more stable pressure range in connection to the tyre temperature. However, again, the factor is applicable in times of heavy load/high-speed conditions.
- Tyres are susceptible to loss of pressure as a result of being porous in nature. Due to its chemical structure, Nitrogen leak out slowly as compared to compressed air. Therefore, it slows the rate of pressure loss.
- Oxygen reacts with the tyre and rim materials causing oxidation or the rust formation in the metal parts. Nitrogen, being an inert gas, does not react with the tyre and rim materials.
Cons:
- Inflating tires with Nitrogen is quite costly.
- Filling tyres with nitrogen requires more maintenance as compared to compressed gas.
- The availability factor is the biggest disadvantage of inflating tyres with nitrogen, as the gas is not readily available. It is usually found only with specialist tyre dealers.
- Generally it is not that much advantageous in case of commuter bikes. Moreover 78% of air is itself nitrogen. It is advantageous only in case of Formula cars, High speed racing cars & motorcycles & High load carriage vehicle.
Regards,
Mahavir Kothari
{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
Nice to have such information to normal Users of cars and Bikes. thanks..
Great Info…
But, I heard that cars give out good mileage figures after filling up with Nitrogen. Is it true?
have used dis gas on my FZ tyres and to my surprise the tyres kept on getting punchured and i figured it out that there is some thing wrong wit dis gas n got removed it. Now the tyres doesnt trouble me n e longer.
Did you use dis gas or your own gas?
I guess Nitrogen is just a recent hype. Let it cool and then see what happens.
P.S It takes time to fill too.
Thats a great article. It clears many myths about filling nitrogen gas. I have a doubt. When I’m filling nitrogen for the first time what would they do? Empty out all the compressed gas first and refill?
yea..
yes, couple of days back only i filled nitrogen gas for my car for first time, they released the compressed air from the tyre and filled the nitrogen gas, and the topup of nitrogen gas for one year will be at free of cost.
Vikram: yeah they depressurize your tires and fill in Nitrogen.
Nitrogen tires run cooler, so it’s advantageous if you do extremely long distances everyday. At 10 bucks per refill, and 60+ km a day on the bike at speeds which are 60-70, I think I’m justified in using it.
@sohel: Nitrogen doesn’t cause puntcures.. Whatever was causing your puntures is some reason other than nitrogen..
I guess the FZ runs on tubeless, so if you had a puncture before, maybe that wasn’t fixed properly. Or maybe it was just the heat. The summer’s been really horrid this time ’round.
Hi,
I have bought a new FZS last 3 weeks backs can any one tell what is excat tire pressure for this bike company say 29fornt and 33 back.. i have filled wiht nitrogen ..its good for tube less tire.. pls reply me
@ Santosh
nitrogen is bullshit thing i too have FZS…. thought of filling once but someone told me it is worthless…
Simple compressed air itself has 78% nitro
Could you please say me the exact tire pressure for CBZ Xtreme…
front 20psi back 33psi (with pillon driving)
sorry, front 29psi back 33psi (with pillon driving)
79% of air which goes in our tyres already comprises of nitrogen. i wonder how the remaiining 21% is going to make a difference !
I filles nitros to my accent..its working fine no defects….people go ahead wit the nitros for the car its doing well
I filled nitros to my Hyundai Accent..its working fine no defects….people go ahead wit the nitros for the car its doing well…i paid 200 bugs for 5 tyres
I don’t know what is it that FZ owners are against Nitrogen. Nitrogen increases fuel average and that alone is a justified reason for switching to nitrogen.
Regarding the argument that Normal air contains 77% Nitro. The remaining 23% will make all the difference, since 100% Nitro 27 times slow(Nitrogen molecules are bigger then air molecules) then normal air. The only real issue in my view is the availability.
Go for Nitro!!!
I was charged Rs.60/- for first time and a top up Rs.40/- at Santhi Service Stastion, Meenabmakkam Chennai. Is it really so costly?
I was charged 40 bugs with first top free …….
No issue against
from a rubber technoligist point of view, butyl rubber has low permeability for nitrogen. go for nitrogen.
we can go
i have royal enfield with alloy wheels on it.i am thinking of nitro in it.please comment……….
I filled Nitro on my i-10 2 months back ,in 2 months it leaked 5-8psi is it normal rate of reduction for nitro. i topped it up with normal air , is it right?