Keeping your vehicle in tune and maintained properly can ensure its longevity. Below you will find some useful information to extend your vehicle's life span.
Nitrogen filled tires
Tires Last Longer
Tires Hold Their Pressure Longer
Fewer Tire Failures
Better Fuel Mileage and Handling
Rims and Wheels Resist Rust
Stronger Casings Mean More Retreads
Better Fuel Mileage
Nitrogen is a dry, inert gas used to inflate airplane tires, off-road truck tires, military vehicle tires, and race car tires for improved performance. Oxygen is compressed air that permeates through the tire wall, oxygen oxidizes the rubber compounds in the tire, causing under-inflation and deteriorated
rubber. Dry nitrogen will prevent autoignition, will not corrode rims, and helps the tire to run cooler.
 
Nitrogen gas is commonly used by racing professionals and the U.S. military to inflate racecar tires and military vehicles - leaks through a tire's rubber walls four times more slowly than oxygen. As a result, tires filled with high quality nitrogen will stay inflated longer, allowing them to grip the road better while providing greater control in all weather conditions.
 
Why Inflate with Nitrogen?
Oxygen is your tire’s worst enemy. Air is about 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and 1% other. Nitrogen is inert, non combustible, and non corrosive. Oxygen on the other hand is a destructive element. When tires are exposed to air, a long term and continuing deterioration begins - the oxidation of the rubber in the tire. What happens to a rubber band over time? It loses its elasticity and strength. This same process occurs in tires inflated with air as the oxygen attacks the rubber molecules, working from the inside out until the oxygen permeates the tire structure and ultimately the tread.
Is All Nitrogen Gas Equal?
No, nitrogen is available from nitrogen generators in different purities, generally ranging from 89% (low purity) to 96% (high purity).
Better Fuel Mileage
Drivers can get better fuel mileage with properly inflated tires which roll better than under-inflated ones, reducing fuel consumption by up to 10% and decreasing auto emissions. Nitrogen-filled tires also could significantly reduce the two million gallons of gasoline the U.S. Department of Energy says are lost every day due to low tire pressure.
What Are the Other Benefits of Nitrogen Inflation?
  • Tires Last Longer.
  • On the road tests show that tires inflated with nitrogen lasted 25-30% longer and that road failures were reduced by 50%.
  • Nitrogen diffuses through the walls of the tire 25-30% slower than air, significantly reducing tire pressure loss between inflation checks. Under inflated tires wear faster. A tire that is 10% under inflated will lose approximately 7% of its service life.
  • Fewer Tire Failures.
  • The strength of tires are affected by oxidation and heat. Tires are weakened by the oxidation process. This process is accelerated by the heat generated from rolling. This oxidation is referred to as "fatigue" and "aging". Nitrogen filled tires had twice the life to failure in both field and laboratory tests.
  • Better Fuel Mileage and Handling.
  • Tires that are properly inflated roll better than under inflated tires and get better fuel mileage. Tires that are properly inflated also respond better to steering input and handle better.
  • Nitrogen is completely dry. Without moisture, rims and wheels are less likely to rust.
  • Stronger casings mean more retreads.
  • The lack of oxidation means that the tire casings remain stronger and can be retreaded additional times for longer tire life.
 
Why Tires Lose Pressure
Tires can lose one psi (pound per square inch) per month under normal conditions. Additionally, tires can lose 1 psi for every 10° F temperature drop.
Just a look won't do it. One of these tires is actually ten pounds underinflated. Yours eyes can deceive you, so rely on a good tire gauge for an accurate reading.
Look for the manufacturer's recommended air pressure listed on the sticker of your vehicle's door jamb or owner's manual. Example:
 
The chart below shows you how under inflation can create an overload on tires. Always check your air pressure to make sure it's up to standards, especially if you're carrying extra weight.
 
Lower pressure increases heat. Infrared photography of tires tested at high speed. Damaging heat increases as inflation pressure drops.
 
Air Pressure - Monthly Check
 
For accuracy, check your air pressure with a tire gauge when tires are cold. Driving heats up tires and makes the reading incorrect.
 
1.) Remove tire valve cap.
2.) Place the end of tire gauge over valve.
 
3.) Press the tire gauge straight and firmly until the scale extends.   4.) If needed, add air and recheck pressure with the tire gauge.
5.) Replace valve.
 
 

 

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