Our cars’ weight is held by the gas, typically air, that is held in the tyres. At our petrol stations, we can inflate our tyres with regular air. Some workshops, however, are offering to use Nitrogen instead of air to fill up the tyres of our cars. This is often advertised as a way to improve the performance of the tyres.
There are some advantages to using Nitrogen instead of regular air. First of all, Nitrogen molecules are bigger than those in air. This means that there is believed to be slower loss of pressure due to less leakage through the sidewalls of the tyres. This in turn means that the tyres will hold the air pressure longer and more evenly between all tyres mounted on the vehicle. Thus, less pressure loss will lead to a slower and more even tyre wear.
Also, Nitrogen is less corrosive. Less condensation forms inside the tyre and thus, the rims, which are exposed to the gas held within the tyre (we are talking about tubeless tyres, radials) will be protected from corrosion, which may damage the metal surface of the rim.
Overall, the intended effect is to improve the life of the tyres. Less wear, even wear will be improving the performance and lifespan of the tyres filled with Nitrogen. Nitrogen-filled tyres are less prone to blowouts and can better manage heat buildup. “We know that heat is the enemy of every tyre,” German Motors knows.
However, there are downsides to using Nitrogen as well. The immediate, and obvious one, is that this gas is more expensive than regular air. The latter can be pumped at any petrol station free of charge, whereas Nitrogen filling is typically charged for. The other aspect is the convenience of having to have the tyre filled at specialist shops offering Nitrogen. If one were to check the tyre pressure on a regular basis or ahead of a longer trip, this could possibly become an inconvenience.
As tyres sold in Malaysia are designed for our weather and with proper tyre maintenance, tyres may perform just as well as those filled with Nitrogen. The debate has yet to conclude if there is a real advantage to using it. While the lifespan might be extended, the extra cost may offset the savings due to reduced wear.
