by Ray Langley

Created on: September 18, 2010

Nitrogen Inflated Tires: Pros and Cons

 Over the years, a number of innovations have occurred in other professions, which would eventually trickle down to the private automobile owners. Synthetic oils developed during WWII for aircraft engines, restraint systems (seat belts), and now the Nitrogen inflated tire. Used initially by airlines to fill the tires on planes, in was soon after adopted by NASCAR pit crews, in both instances to reduce the total number of potentially combustible materials used in operation. There are no specific regulations or laws that restrict what to use to fill a vehicle’s tires, and helium would escape too quickly to be useful. 

Pro: The commercial appeal of using nitrogen inflated tires over air filled comes down to durability, and the overall safety of the particular vehicle. Theory is that the inert Nitrogen causes less wear on the tires, and does not degrade the materials as quickly as regular old air will. Being less flammable then air, gives Nitrogen-filled tires the edge over the everyday air-filled tires when used in vehicles that operate at extreme temperatures and pressures. The larger molecules of Nitrogen also prevent leakage and shrinkage with in the tire due to temperature changes. With many vehicles operating at a high rate of speed, using Nitrogen-filled tires can make sense.

Con: Unless you are driving an airliner, or NASCAR stock car then you may want to forgo the added expense of putting Nitrogen inflated tires on your vehicle. This new trend is creeping into the final expense of many new vehicles and for the public it may not be worth the cost. There is a charge for the service to fill tires with Nitrogen, and a lack of facilities that provide the service, which gives them control over the price. Everyday road hazards are something drivers experience that does not happen in most scenarios where Nitrogen filled tires are used. Running over a nail will give you the same flat tire with either gas, but with Nitrogen inflated tires, you have to find somewhere to have them filled.

With the world looking for new, greener alternatives to the polluting factors of the past, many “ideas” may come along that seem good, at first. Keeping the proper inflation with air-filled tires is the greenest contribution that you can make at this stage of advancement. Nitrogen-filled tires even sound as if it would be worth the expense, yet in the end; it proves to be more of a hassle to the owner.

 http://ahotcupofjoe.wordpress.com/2008/07/05/nitroge n-filled-tires-a-scam/

http://www.wheelsnext.com/content/nitrogen_gas.html

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