TYRE FUNCTIONS

Tyres, assisted with the correct pressures contained within them, perform four important functions.

1. Tyres support the vehicle chassis off the ground.

2. Tyres help absorb shocks from the road surface.

3. Tyres help to transmit acceleration, breaking and cornering forces to the road  surface.

4. Tyres help to change and maintain the direction of travel.

NONE OF THESE TYRE FUNCTIONS CAN PERFORM CORRECTLY WHEN TYRES ARE UNDER OF OVER INFLATED.

IS NITROGEN BETTER IN TYRES
THAN COMPRESSED AIR?

YES, BECAUSE.....

All conditions being the same, the difference in tyre running temperatures when comparing nitrogen with compressed air for tyre inflation is due to the presence of water in compressed air more than any other factor. As a tyre is run, flexing of the sidewalls and tread, as well as the friction between the tread and the road surface produces heat regardless of what gas is used to inflate the tyre. The water molecules in the compressed air behave quite differently compared to the nitrogen molecules when exposed to the heat produced by the running of a tyre. Water molecules become much more agitated by the heat generated by the running of a tyre, creating more heat & pressure build-up compared to a nitrogen inflated tyre.

For decades nitrogen has been used in applications where safety and economy are extremely important - Aircraft tyres, Formula One, Tour de France, military and the space shuttles, to name a few.

Only the high cost and complexities of generating and storing nitrogen have kept it out of reach of the general public. Recent advances in nitrogen production technology have made on-site generation economically viable for the automotive service industry.

It should also be noted that nitrogen cannot replace regular maintenance. Regardless of what inflation gas is used, maximum tyre life will only be achieved if the vehicle and tyres are properly maintained. That means regular checking of tyre pressures, wheel balancing, wheel alignment and tyre rotation.