Filling Nitrogen in tyres instead of Air

Well two more things can be tried:

1) running temp-crude way would be to check the outside temp of the tyre with the back of the hand-ideal a industrial thermometer will give details.

2)gas leak-the ability of the nitrogen to be retained inside the tyre-i feel at the same PSI there will be more nitrogen in the tyre compared to normal air-(more compressible).this can be checked by topping up the tyre after i month or so-and then seeing the fall in pressure.

well thats it-the rest should be drivability-which you will be evaluating-good luck and keep us posted.

Sure. I’ll be checking the running temperature of the tyres (crude way) – like I do even otherwise on looong drives, and also for fall/rise of pressure (PSI).

 

These are the 2 aspects of prime concern, as, if the temp. increases & the pressure fluctuates like it does in air-filled tyres, the basic purpose of nitrogen is defeated.

 

In fact, the dealer has assured me against these 2 concerns, and that, if required…the tyres will be re-filled free for next 6 months (though he hasn’t charged me in the first place).

 

Yes, the tyres contain more nitrogen (at same PSI) as it isn’t compressed like air.  Besides, Nitrogen is normally filled more, say by 2 PSI each (like they have done in my case).

 

Anyway, will keep posting here my experiences/observations and on drivability after I undertake the long trip scheduled in the month–end.

 

Thanks

By the way, as experienced/observed by me, Nitrogen takes 3 to 4 times the time Air takes to fill-in in the tyre.  This is because Nitrogen is not as compressed as Air is.

 

Like-wise/therefore... in case of puncture, Nitrogen takes 3 to 4 times the time Air takes to escape out - an advantage that I would obviously not like to have any first-hand experience on

I have since undertaken a trip with Nitrogen filled tyres.  The 3-day trip was of 869 kms (shortened from originally planned 5-day trip of 1500 kms).  Of the total 869 kms, I have driven as under at a stretch at a constant speed (almost) of 80/85 kmsph…

 

Onward Journey

• 177 kms (10-min break for tea)
• 230 kms (reached destination)

 

Local driving (next day)

• 54 kms (mainly hilly area)

 

Return Journey (3^rd day)

• 289 kms (45-min break for lunch)
• 119 kms (reached home)

 

My observations are briefly summarized herein below…

 

The rise in the temperature of the tyres is of lesser degree. The pressure (PSI) doesn’t increase, and if it does, it isn’t noticeably felt (as in air-filled tyres).  I couldn’t measure the PSI during the trip but can say so from the ride-quality, which remained same through out.

 

 

contd… (next post)

…contd. (previous post)

 

 

Regarding road-grip, it’s very difficult to conclude whether it improves or not.  On glossy type of roads there is absolutely no difference – at least I didn’t feel/observe.  But on non-glossy type of roads (smooth & leveled), I, at times, did feel that the grip was a little better. Like-wise, I also felt a slight difference while driving through (without slowing down) over very minor speed breakers (so called) that appear in numbers/sequence (5/6).

 

There is no difference in mileage either – I derived same mileage figures, as I normally do in such driving conditions (& style).

 

All in all, notwithstanding the other benefits, if any, discussed before in this thread & elsewhere, Nitrogen filled tyres are basically not meant for people like us who have more of city use.  People who drive very often on highways, can, however, consider in favour of it – mainly because the tyre temp. increases at lesser degree & resultantly keeps the pressure (PSI) almost at the same level.

 

I will be using the Nitrogen filled tyres for next 6 months, as the re-filling is free till then.  I will post my further observations, if any.

Thats a great review!

-so for highway use its recommended and for city-there is no much difference-but no disadvantage-right?

-i guess because the tyre does not heat up as much as with air the longevity of the tyre will increase as the 'hot' / 'cold' cycles of the tyre will smoothen out.

-any difference in steering feel?

No difference in ride-quality & handling in city drive – but no disadvantage, for sure.

 

Regarding steering-feel / handling (I forgot to mention that)… yes, I did feel better (slightly) along with ride-quality on those non-glossy types of roads.

 

The basic advantage is that the tyre/tube life will increase over a period of time for the reason stated by you - reduction in hot-cold cycle; no vapour formation - leading to benefits like reductions in wheel corrosion & rubber deterioration (discussed earlier in the thread).

@Binoy, if you don't mind, I suggest (only)... you too can try Nitrogen & see how you feel - especially before undertaking long drive - and can share your observation/experience. 

 

I suggest so, as I feel it's worth spending once for the sake of first-hand experience - especially if re-filling is free for 6 months (or so) , like it is over here.

 

Just give a thought. Right?

After reading your review-am surely considering the same in my car-the problem is the lack of nitrogen filling points in trivandrum!

Will try and get it done in the near future and report on the same.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Good observations, Pankaj,

When somebody started this thread around two year ago, I had hardly noticed any nitrogen filling station. I was amazed at the fact that people are selling nitrogen! I had discarded it as marketing gimmick then. After reading your comments, I think, I wasn't completely wrong at my suggestions.

Claims of advantages of nitrogen in tyres don't hold true. It makes sense to get your car tyres filled with nitrogen only because it's inexpensive. And another good reason for trying it out is, this practice doesn't harm in any way.

By the way, Pankaj, I had tanked up my Palio with HP Speed petrol for the sake of testing. Will publish the report sometime soon. Yes, I know the disadvantages of the fuel with additives but just wanted to test it out this time. And my car is already six years old, it has completed its life. It's time to experiments.



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