Nitrogen Filled Tires
Learn about Nitrogen, then see how Orangeville Kia makes nitrogen even better.
WHY USE NITROGEN?
- Reduces under-inflation
- Extended Tire Life
- Enhanced Safety
- Improved Fuel Economy (Fuel Calculator)
- Environmental Benefits
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The Effects of Under-Inflation on Tire Wear and Fuel Use | |||||
|
% of Under Inflation |
% Tire Wear Increase |
% Fuel Use Increase | |||
|
10% |
5% |
2% | |||
|
20% |
16% |
4% | |||
|
30% |
33% |
6% | |||
|
40% |
57% |
8% | |||
|
50% |
78% |
10% | |||
Nitrogen is a safe, inert, dry gas and compared to oxygen is a much larger molecule. That size advantage is what decreases the rate nitrogen diffuses/seeps through the tire wall, an issue that leads to lower tire pressure (lost compressed air pressure can average up to 2 PSI per month). Another characteristic of nitrogen versus oxygen is that it less susceptible to temperature changes. With environmental temperture fluctuations and changes in tire temperature during driving, nitrogen is able to run cooler and more consistent helping maintain a specific tire pressure longer.
Nitrogen filled tires stay inflated almost 4 times longer than compressed air filled tires. When tires leak less, they stay properly inflated longer, preventing premature tire wear. Reducing premature tire wear helps tires last longer, reducing the number of tire replacements required over a vehicle's life and saving you money. Interesting statistic: 23% of vehicles have at least one tire under-inflated by more than 20% (and the difference can be difficult to notice).
Compressed air traditionally used to inflate tires contains significant amounts of oxygen and moisture. Oxygen reacts with and breaks down rubber (long-term, sometimes seen as cracks in the tread), causing increased air permeation and reduced tire pressure. In addition, oxygen's moisture can attack and weaken the steel cords in the tire through corrosion. Since temperature changes cause regular air to expand and contract more than Nitrogen, tire pressures can change drastically. As temperature drops so does tire pressure (something people rarely check), resulting in: dangerous under inflation, loss of handling, increased stopping distance, reduced traction and overall decreased safety.
Keeping your tires within the recommended pressure range can have significant impacts on improved fuel economy. To see how much fuel you can save driving on nitrogen filled tires, try the fuel calculator (be sure to adjust to kms for a more appropriate reading)
"Under-inflated tires increase fuel consumption."
Transport Canada
"Operating a vehicle with just one tire under-inflated by 56 KPa (8 psi) can reduce the life of the tire by 15,000 km and can increase the vehicle's fuel consumption by 4%."
Government of Canada
In North America, over 7 million litres of fuel is wasted each day due to vehicles driven on under inflated tires. Nitrogen improves fuel efficiency by up to 4% and also reduces carbon emissions. For every one litre of fuel saved, approximately 5 pounds of carbon dioxide is not released into the air we breathe. When tires last longer, less replacements are required and fewer tires ultimately end up in landfills.
