Friday, June 11, 2010

Nitrogen inflation improves automobile handling

Replacing the standard oxygen used to inflate tires with nitrogen is becoming a popular trend in the consumer automotive world. The site Why Nitrogen? suggests that using nitrogen inflation will enhance a vehicle’s handling capabilities, improve fuel efficiency, extend the life of a set of tires and reduce the carbon footprint. Nitrogen inflation, according to Consumer Reports, tends to make science fact out of what some sources claim is science fiction.

Source for this article: Nitrogen inflation – Adding life to your tires

Nitrogen inflation – Dry and non-flammable

Nitrogen is non-flammable, but what makes it ideal for tire inflation is that the molecules leak through rubber at a rate that’s four times slower than that of standard oxygen molecules. Why Nitrogen? says this happens because nitrogen is a particularly large molecule. Tires that stay inflated at the proper level for longer periods of time stay in better contact with the highway. Traction is the result, and this makes the engine’s job easier. Engines that aren’t overtaxed burn less fuel, which is better for the environment. Furthermore, running tires with proper inflation via nitrogen inflation keeps the right surfaces in contact with the road (rather than the sidewall), which in turn extends tire and rim life.

What nitrogen purity is required?

Thoughts on what nitrogen inflation purity level does the job vary by source. Most reliable sources indicate anywhere from 93 to 98 percent pure nitrogen inflation should work well. That’s what NASCAR does, so consumers looking for auto loan finance for their hybrid sedans should also be satisfied.

NASCAR wants nitrogen’s reliability

Imagine what a sudden loss of tire pressure can do to a car in a NASCAR race. A pit stop is the least of the worries; deaths via on-track accidents are the true fear. That is why racecar drivers have switched to nitrogen inflation in recent years. Pure nitrogen inflation, according to Why Nitrogen? is much less likely than standard air (which carries some water vapor) to be affected by temperature. Thus, inflation levels fluctuate much less when nitrogen is used. This is why the airlines and the government like nitrogen inflation, also.

Additional info at these websites

Why Nitrogen?

getnitrogen.org/why/index.php



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