Nitrogen is an incredibly useful gas, which is why you can find it in many different sectors, such as construction, food manufacturing, preservation and packaging, medical, and, of course, transportation.

As bottled gas suppliers, we provide nitrogen, including car tyres, for many occasions and situations. Many businesses, such as garages, are starting to offer this option – but why is Nitrogen rising in popularity when it comes to tyre inflation, and what are the benefits of choosing this gas instead of air?

An Introduction to Tyre Pressure

You can measure the pressure of your tyres in either pounds per square inch or bar pressure. Your tyres must be inflated to the correct pressure, which the vehicle manufacturer determines. It’s also essential that this is done when the tyres are cold.

You should also check the pressure of your tyres routinely (for example, twice monthly) and always before going on a long journey to ensure you have the right amount of pressure and don’t run into any issues. A tyre that doesn’t have enough inflation is harder to steer, while an overinflated tyre also provides less road grip, which can be hazardous when you’re driving.

If you’ve already driven a little or it’s a very warm day, you should also wait until the tyres cool down before inflating them – this is because pressure changes according to temperature. If you inflate a warm tyre, it can end up becoming overinflated, and once the temperature drops, it will become underinflated.

It’s important to remember that tyres lose pressure over time naturally, so this will happen whether you use compressed air or nitrogen – the only difference is the speed at which the process occurs. If you find that you have to inflate your tyres more often than usual, you may have a leak, so have it checked out to ensure you don’t keep losing pressure (and money) – and stay safe on the road.

Why Nitrogen is Used in Car Tyres

How does Nitrogen enter the equation? Many people are choosing to inflate their tyres with this gas because they find that tyres can maintain pressure for longer than when using compared to air – this helps them save money, so it’s a great incentive to consider switching!

On top of this, if car tyres can maintain their pressure for longer, you’re also saving fuel and cutting down the risk of wheel corrosion. You also don’t have the hassle of filling out your tyres often, which can be time-consuming if you’re in a rush (heading out to work, for instance).

Nitrogen doesn’t harm your tyres either, so you don’t have to worry about issues with the rubber or replacing your tyres prematurely. Another benefit of using nitrogen is that your tyres last longer because the gas performs at a lower temperature, which can help combat friction.

We supply nitrogen for tyres so you can make the most of your vehicle, from fuel economy to safety on the road.

Nitrogen Gas in Motorsports and Aircraft

It’s not just car tyres that use nitrogen. Aircraft tyres and racing cars also benefit from the gas. As mentioned above, nitrogen gas can help tyres maintain the correct amount of pressure for longer, so races – which come down to the millisecond and even the slightest difference in pressure can impact performance and lead to defeat – can benefit from better road grip, among other things.

Aircraft use nitrogen because it is a stable, inert gas that removes moisture in the tyre cavity and cuts down the rubber’s oxidation (and, therefore, degradation).

We’ve got plenty of nitrogen cylinders at Bottle Gases to help businesses and individuals take full advantage of their vehicles and ensure safety while on the road or the runway.

When Don’t You Need to Use Nitrogen?

If you’re on a tight budget, you may not want to choose nitrogen since this is more expensive than using compressed air to inflate your tyres. However, considering you still need to maintain the pressure in your tyres no matter whether you use nitrogen or air, many people prefer air due to price.

However, nitrogen can save you money in the long run, even if you have higher ‘initial’ costs because your tyres stay at the correct pressure for longer.

If you have any questions about our domestic and industrial gas bottles, don’t hesitate to speak to us today, and we’ll be more than happy to answer them. The Bottle Gases team is an expert at everything gas, so we can provide you with expert advice on the best products to buy, from gas canisters to welding safety equipment, oxy-fuel welding kits and nitrogen for tyre inflation.