However, most people in India do not call it nitrogen-filling. They prefer normal air in their motorcycle tyres which we know contains Oxygen, Nitrogen, CO2, and small amounts of other gases. But Nitrogen is another gas used in motorcycle tires to maintain pressure.
- The two most common air-filling alternatives are nitrogen and regular air; most people are frequently unsure which one to choose.
- You will pay more for a nitrogen gas fill-up than a conventional one.
- Nitrogen gas filling station infrastructure is still in the early stages of development.
- To be entirely effective, nitrogen must be 93–95% pure.
- While nitrogen doesn’t support moisture, normal air can delay premature tire wear.
- Nitrogen has an advantage over regular air in terms of air loss since it contains more molecules.
- Nitrogen gas has a definite advantage over regular air in racing.
Although most people in nations like India aren’t aware of the term “nitrogen-filling,” there has been a verbal battle online. So, if you’re one of those keyboard warriors, read on as we attempt to make sense of those confusing assertions. Let’s get going.
Normal Air Vs Nitrogen: Cost And Convenience
The word “economical” gives a fellow feeling to every money-conscious person. If we specifically refer to the term “car and bike tire filling,” any repair shop, service station, and petrol filling station will do that for you at no cost. But this is not the case with nitrogen.
The infrastructure is still being built, and many locations lack access to nitrogen gas. Where available, you may also pay anywhere from Rs 40 to Rs 50 for a single tire. Reason? It takes numerous fill and deflation bikes to remove air from air-filled tires before switching them to nitrogen. To be entirely effective, nitrogen must be 93–95% pure. However, adding ‘normal’ air will not impair its performance if the tire unexpectedly deflates.
Normal Air Vs Nitrogen: Age And Wear Of Tyres
Nitrogen is 78% of air, and oxygen is 21%. The internal wall casing or the polymer of the tire can eventually oxidize, leading to premature wear. Oxygen has the power to hold back moisture inside the tires. The steel reinforced belt may, in rare circumstances, rust over time. Nitrogen, on the other hand, is a dry gas that doesn’t support moisture and can delay the onset of tire wear and wheel corrosion.
However, according to many experts, oxidation won’t start under typical day-to-day driving circumstances until the tire’s tread depth approaches the minimum acceptable level. However, unless your car or bike is stationary, as in the Covid shutdown, the practical benefit is small when driving under typical circumstances.
Normal Air Vs Nitrogen: Tyre Pressure Maintenance
When it comes to pressure loss, nitrogen has a minor advantage. This is because nitrogen molecules move more slowly and sustain pressure for a more extended period because they are more significant than air. However, this distinction is insufficient to conclude that nitrogen is preferable to air. You won’t notice the difference if you diligently check your tire pressure frequently.
Normal Air Vs Nitrogen: Cooling
Unlike air, dry nitrogen has a straighter and more predictable tire pressure due to temperature variations and does not retain moisture. This also implies that the tire will run cooler, especially in racing cars or super sportbikes where tire temperature significantly impacts how well the wheels grip the road. Because racing car tires and other large machinery are rigorously tested in scorching environments, nitrogen does have an advantage in this situation.
CONCLUSION
Thus, where does this comparison leave us? Is it normal air or nitrogen? It’s questionable whether the average driver will profit from employing nitrogen, despite certain tiny scientific advantages at the upper end of the tire performance spectrum. In short, if you are a daily driver, avoid any of the classifications mentioned above.
