Nitrogen Tyre Inflation for Trucks Everything Covered
Fleet managers and truck owners are always on the lookout for ways to extend tyre life, reduce maintenance costs, and boost performance. Nitrogen gas tyre inflation is rapidly gaining traction in the Australian transport and logistics industry.
In this article, Amigo Tyres - trusted for truck wheel alignment in Rocklea - will cover everything about nitrogen tyre inflation for trucks. Let’s start by understanding the meaning of nitrogen tyre inflation!
Nitrogen Tyre Inflation: Meaning
Nitrogen tyre inflation involves filling your truck's tires with nitrogen gas instead of regular compressed air. Nitrogen is a dry inert gas that makes up about 78% of our air. However, the nitrogen is usually purified to a 93% or higher concentration for tyre inflation.
Nitrogen is moisture-free and less reactive. These qualities significantly reduce the risk of pressure fluctuations, oxidation, and premature tyre wear.
Nitrogen for Tyre Inflation: How It’s Different From Air
Although air already contains a high percentage of nitrogen, it also has oxygen and water vapour. These additional components can lead to several truck tyre-related issues:
Oxygen: It causes rubber oxidation and leads to faster deterioration.
Moisture: It promotes corrosion of steel belts and inner wheel components.
Pressure fluctuations: Air is more temperature-sensitive which causes inconsistent tyre pressure.
Nitrogen is inert and dry which minimizes these issues and provides more stable tyre performance.
Below are some of the major benefits of nitrogen gas for tyre inflation:
Improved tyre pressure retention: Nitrogen molecules are larger than oxygen molecules. It makes them less likely to seep through the rubber. This means truck tyres inflated with nitrogen maintain optimal pressure longer and reduce the need for frequent top-ups.
Extended tyre life: Consistent tyre pressure leads to more even tread wear. Combined with reduced oxidation, this extends the overall lifespan of the tyre.
Enhanced fuel efficiency: Under-inflated tyres increase rolling resistance and lead to higher fuel consumption. By keeping tyre pressure stable, nitrogen inflation can improve mileage and reduce fuel costs over time.
Reduced tyre maintenance: Less frequent pressure checks and reduced internal corrosion mean lower maintenance demands for truck tyres. It is especially beneficial for long-haul vehicles.
Improved safety: Stable tyre pressure reduces the risk of blowouts which is a common hazard for trucks on highways. With nitrogen inflation, there are fewer chances of sudden pressure loss due to leaks or temperature changes.
Is Nitrogen Gas Inflation Worth It?
The initial cost of nitrogen inflation is slightly higher than traditional air. However, it offers long-term benefits that often outweigh the cost for:
- Long-distance trucking
- Heavy-duty commercial fleets
- Trucks operating in extreme temperatures
The benefits of nitrogen gas may be marginal for individual truck owners who regularly monitor their truck tyre pressure. For fleet operators, nitrogen gas inflation can contribute to significant savings in fuel, tyres, and maintenance.
How to Get Nitrogen Gas Inflation For Your Truck?
The majority of tyre service centres and fleet maintenance providers in Australia now offer nitrogen inflation. Below is the straightforward process:
Deflation: Remove the existing air from your truck tyre.
Vacuum Cycle: Create a vacuum to remove the moisture and oxygen from your truck tyre.
Inflation with Nitrogen: Fill your truck tyres with the correct PSI using nitrogen.
Nitrogen Gas for Truck Tyres Wrapup
Nitrogen tyre inflation is a proven method for improving tyre health, reducing operational costs, and enhancing road safety for trucks. Small optimizations in your truck like nitrogen gas inflation can lead to long-term savings and improved performance.
Still got any queries to ask?Contact us today to have them answered by our truck tyre experts!