Md. Riday Khan

· 06 Dec 2021

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Why nitrogen in tires?

It is a topic that from time to time becomes topical again. We refer to the inflation of the wheels of the car with nitrogen. Its defenders assure that it has a multitude of advantages and that in the long term it also represents a saving concerning air. But what is real in this belief?

In the first place, we must establish the differences between the two, although in reality the air we breathe is composed of 80% nitrogen and 20% oxygen.

From the point of view of its composition, nitrogen is an inert gas, which does not affect our body. However, the oxygen that the vast majority of living things need to live, is quite a dangerous gas. In the first place, it is flammable - hence a fire without air goes out - and it also presents considerable instability to changes in temperature: when it is hot, it expands, and when it is cold, it contracts.

Once the differences have been pointed out, from First Stop, the network of workshops specialized in maintenance, they give us a series of tips to take into account. First of all, they remind us of the need to check the tire pressure at least once a month and always before going on a trip, it is also reminded that it must be done with cold tires. This is important because after a while driving the car, especially at a certain speed, the friction between the tread and the asphalt generates heat that is transmitted to the air inside. Thus, as oxygen molecules try to expand, the pressure in the wheel can easily increase by 0.5 atmospheres.

One of the advantages of inflating the wheel with nitrogen is precisely at this point since this effect of the tire expanding and compressing several times each way is almost completely avoided. It should be noted that in case we previously circulated with the correct pressure when the temperature inside the wheel rises, the contact area between the tire and the road surface - what is called the tread band - is smaller, so that wear will accumulate more in the center of the tread, an effect that will be accentuated the higher the pressure the tire carries.

If, on the other hand, we carry less pressure than necessary, it happens the other way around, tire wear will accumulate on the sides, right in the area where the tread ends. The wheel is made of retreaded rubber that has a certain flexibility, but all materials have a worn threshold after which they begin to lose properties and this contraction and expansion are one of the phenomena that contribute to tire aging.

For this reason, as indicated by First Stop, this is already a good reason to save to inflate the tires with nitrogen, which, we must remember, contributes to keeping the pressure inside the same despite temperature changes. But it is also that, contrary to the oxygen that tends to leak through any micropore of the rubber or the valve, nitrogen does not have such a tendency to escape.
Nitrogen helps maintain the correct pressure.
This means that, for example, even if the car is parked in the garage for a few days or is not used daily if its wheels have nitrogen instead of air, it will retain the ideal pressure for much longer. That is why if you are one of those who do not check the pressure often, it may be an option to consider.

HOMOGENEOUS WEAR
In addition, as has been pointed out with nitrogen, that irregular wear of the tires - on the tread or the sides - that was commented previously, is partly avoided. This situation, in addition to premature wear accompanied by vibrations in the steering wheel, is something very annoying to drive and, of course, less safety, for example when making an emergency braking.

It should be noted that nitrogen can be combined with air, so if you also see that one of the wheels of your car is low in pressure at some point, nothing happens, you can fill it without any problem.

If you finally opt for this option, you must bear in mind that this operation can only be done in a workshop, which are the only places where they have the equipment to put this gas.

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