Nitrogen
Why chose nitrogen inflation
Nitrogen is more than a color cap.
What is nitrogen?
Nitrogen is an inert gas more stable than air, it is less likely to get out of the tire. Unlike air, nitrogen does not compress in cold weather. The tire therefore remains at the same pressure regardless of the temperature. Nitrogen molecules being slightly larger than oxygen, permeation (penetration of a liquid, gas or vapor through a solid wall) is less pronounced, which means that there is less risk of loss of pressure, an important feature, especially in winter, with the temperature variations that Québec is experiencing and in particular for low-profile tires. To be effective, the nitrogen must be present in a proportion of 95% and more inside the tire.
Advantages
Conservation of pressure
Pressure in a nitrogen inflated tire will remain more stable than in a compressed air inflated one, even if there is a lot of temperature differences.
Lower fuel consumption
Nitrogen reduces your tire wear. An underinflated tire uses more fuel, keeping a good pressure is then helping you to save fuel, while offering a better safety on the road.
Rim protection
Rims on which the tires are inflated with nitrogen, are better protected against rust and wear much less quickly. Air being composed of 22% oxygen and rare gases, moisture in air-inflated tires leads to faster oxidation of the rims. Inflated with nitrogen, the tire contains almost no oxygen, so no oxidation.
Protection monitoring system (TPMS)
Nitrogen minimizes the presence of moisture in the tire, which will further protect it from premature degradation and will be useful for vehicles equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
Pay attention! It is not because your tires are inflated with nitrogen that they will remain stable. As air-inflated tires, potholes, a defective valve, a lack of tightness between the tire and the rim will cause a gradual decrease in pressure. As a safety measure, you should regularly check that your tires keep the correct pressure.
Did you know?
According to a survey conducted by the Rubber Industry Association of Canada, more than 23% of vehicles in circulation in Canada have at least one under-inflated tire of 20% or more. You must be aware of the dangers associated with driving with underinflated tires, such as longer braking distance, lack of stability and premature wear of the tire, or even higher risk of bursting..
For every 6 ° C drop from the temperature at which a tire was inflated, tire pressure drops by one pound. Nitrogen is not sensitive to changes in temperature. Temperature differences have a very small impact (almost negligible) on the pressure of tires inflated with nitrogen (+/- 1 psi).
Generally, nitrogen inflation is about 4-6$ per tire.
The trucking and aviation industry advantageously use nitrogen for several years, especially to minimize the risk of bursting due to overheating in the tires.
In case of a puncture or leak, a tire inflated with nitrogen can be pumped up with air. Re-inflated with air, the tire continues to be functional, but loses the benefits provided by a minimum concentration of 95% nitrogen.
In Quebec, nitrogen inflation is increasingly available: small workshops provide with nitrogen bottle and large workshops produce it themselves.
The tires inflated with nitrogen are identified with a green cap.