Filling my car tyres with Nitrogen ..

 Our new Honda City VX MT had shown low air pressure for the past three four days. Since I could not get it refilled I kept it pending, but yesterday took it to the Ecity phase 1 petrol pump near HCL and D mart for filling. I had checked up with Raju uncle on Nitrogen filling and got a very positive response. 

I got all my tires Nitrogen filled yesterday. 

After checking up with friends, I found the advantages were manifold.

1. Longer period of correct tyre inflation - as Nitrogen molecules are said to be larger than the normal air molecules, Nitrogen leakage happens at a slower rate than air from the tyres. While normal air tyre, air drops by 1.5 psi every week, in a Nitrogen filed tyre, this drop happens over a period of 1-2 months. Hence the tyre remains inflated for a longer period of time.  (refer Ceat website click here)

2. Because normal tyre deflation happens at a slower pace, the tyres are properly inflated almost all the time and hence the fuel economy achieved is also high, by about 10-20 % on an average.

3. Because the tires are properly inflated for a longer period of time, the tyre surface is not subjected to unnatural loads with less pressure and this ensures longer tyre life. Less wear and tear of the tyre, giving it a longer life.

4. The ride is comfortable all the time as tyres are properly inflated.

5. Less visits to the petrol pump gives the public additional high quality time. 

6. Less deflation possibility reduces skidding chances and hence improves the tyre grip on the road and hence passenger safety.

7. Air has water vapour molecules that result in corrosion of the inside steel surface of the wheel rim. With Nitrogen, there is less chance of corrosion happening and hence savings in wheel replacement.

8. Normal air has water vapour that gets heated after long distance running, leading to heating of tyre and degradation of the tyre performance, this phenomenon is quite rare in Nitrogen filled tyres.

My 8 year old Tata Nano still has normal nylon tyres and is air inflated, while the new one has Nitrogen filled radial tyres.

I am awaiting my friends' comments to add a couple more points here.

George. (pic courtesy carblogindia.com)