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Nitrogen Tire Inflation Creates Hybrid Tires that Reduce Carbon Emmissions

On May 20, 2011, in Fuel Efficiency, Hybrid Tires, Managed Fleets, Nitrogen Tire Inflation, by allisonmreilly
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Nitrogen Tire Inflation

Pump your tires green with nitrogen tire inflation!

Managed fleets are part of the solution, NOT part of the problem in reducing fuel usage and carbon emissions on a very large scale. It’s simply about making a more efficient use of the resources we have, especially with our tires and what we put in them.

A study from the American Automotive Leasing Association found that in 2007, managed fleets saved over 400 million gallons of fuel. Given that the United States consumers about that much in a single day, this savings represents progress toward reducing our dependence on foreign oil. This study also found that a managed fleet results in a more efficient use of fuel and a reduction in carbon emissions because the managed fleet model is structures around efficiency.

Do you have a managed fleet business model, or you want to make your current fleet more efficient? Well, here’s one way: nitrogen tire inflation.

By putting nitrogen into your tires instead of air, or even just getting into the habit of topping off your tires with nitrogen, you make your tires hybrid in an instant. Over 300 million tires are disposed of annually. Nitrogen tire inflation can reduce this number by 30 percent if only more fleets and consumers embraced the practice.

Air also leaks from three to four times faster than nitrogen. So, you know those great strides managed fleets made in reducing carbon emissions and saving all that fuel? All that goes down the drain if your tires aren’t the proper pressure. These hybrid tires create savings in three ways: improved fuel efficiency, reduced carbon emissions, and extended tire life. To calculate your fleet’s savings with Nitrofleet99 Hybrid Tires, then use our carbon reduction calculator to figure out the exact savings!

At Nitrofleet99, we promote sustainable business with better use of our natural resources by providing nitrogen products and services that achieve environmental gains. Specifically, we offer a Carbon Credit Program for managed fleets.

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Nitrogen Tire Inflation in Law Enforcement

On May 13, 2011, in Fuel Efficiency, Managed Fleets, Nitrogen Tire Inflation, by allisonmreilly
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nitrogen tire inflation law enforcement

Police vehicles like this one can have their life extended with nitrogen tire inflation. Photo by Jaymast.

Law enforcement agencies all across the country have committed to nitrogen tire inflation programs in order to increase safety and to cut costs in fleet maintenance. One of the first police departments in the United States to embrace nitrogen tire inflation is the Garner Police Department in North Carolina.

“There’s approximately a 10 percent savings on gas mileage, and when you’re talking about 60 cars in a fleet, you’re talking about quite a bit of money of time,” said Garner Police Sgt. Joe Binns on WRAL. “Anytime when we can save money on taxpayers, it’s worthwhile.”

Although other studies have found that the percent savings on gas mileage is closer to three or four percent, those savings do add up when it comes to a large fleet of law enforcement vehicles, especially in these tough economic times. Whether those savings are seen in the fuel efficiency, in an extended tire life (a tire that’s 20 percent under-inflated will have a 15 percent shorter life), or in reduced maintenance costs, nitrogen tire inflation is an easy way for law enforcement agencies to save money when budgets are only getting tighter.

But the smallest things can make a big difference, as is seen by the The Kingsport (Tennessee) Police Department. Kingsport  started using nitrogen in their vehicle tires a few years ago, and noticed a difference in performance within six months. “Since I’ve had the nitrogen in my tires, I’ve never had to touch the tires,” Kingsport Officer Tom Wayt said on PoliceOne.com. The city is citing preliminary data showing not only better gas mileage but better wear on the tires.

Sergeant John Zoller of Broken Arrow, Okla. agreed to the long term benefits of utilizing nitrogen tire inflation in law enforcements fleets. This is especially important for law enforcement fleets since these vehicles acquire put on a lot of miles in one year.

“We really should look at nitrogen for our fleet of vehicles and specifically within law enforcement. The increase savings in gas mileage and tire wear would certain prove its worth in time,” Zoller said.

If a typical tire costs $100 and a department sees a 10-percent increase in tire life by using nitrogen tire inflation, then that’s a savings of $10 per tire or $40 per car. If tires are replaced about every 10 months, a 10-percent increase in life extends the tire life to just under one year. So every year, each car saves approximately $40. If there are 100 vehicles in a department’s fleet, then a switch to nitrogen tire inflation can save $4,000 per year.

However, only 10 percent of tire dealers nationwide offer nitrogen tire inflation services. If you’re considering nitrogen tire inflation for you or your fleet, and have trouble finding nitrogen service, then consider Nitrofleet99.

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What Oxidation Does to Your Tires

On May 6, 2011, in Nitrogen Tire Inflation, Tire Care, Uncategorized, by allisonmreilly
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tire care

This is what oxidation can do to your tires. Prevent it with nitrogen tire inflation!

Oxygen and moisture are destructive to your tires. Oxidation can cause bubbling or flaking of the chrome finish as seen to the left, which at that point can degrade the base material of the wheel itself. Since water vapor also permeates the tire rubber, it can separate the layers and even rust the steel belts, making for an extremely unsafe driving condition.

Deterioration from oxidation isn’t localized. It spreads. It can start within the tire interior and moves outward, where it first invades the tire liner and then consumes the insulation rubber adjacent the liner. It marches inexorably outward, and as it does, the rubber itself deteriorates, losing elasticity. This decay is constantly being fueled by the fresh, and all too often moist, air injected.

It sounds costly! So, how do you prevent this and make your tires last Million Mile Tires? One way to do it is with nitrogen tire inflation? Nitrogen tire inflation takes the air and the water vapor out of your tires, and replaces it with nitrogen. Yes, air is 78 percent nitrogen, but it’s the other 22 percent that’s causing problems. It’s such a simple solution that doesn’t require a whole lot of extra time or expertise to get it done. To learn more about nitrogen tire inflation, check out Nitrofleet99.

nitrogen tire inflation

Nitrogen tire inflation can keep your tires healthy!

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Myth: Number listed on sidewall is recommended tire pressure

On April 29, 2011, in Fuel Efficiency, Nitrogen in Tires Myths, Nitrogen Tire Inflation, Proper Tire Pressure, Tire Care, by allisonmreilly
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Truth: Number listed shows maximum pressure allowed for that tire

proper tire pressure

Sidewall pressure is NOT the recommended pressure of operation. Credit: AGCO Automotive

The government estimates that only nine percent of vehicles have four properly inflated tires, so it’s time to clear up a myth or two about tire inflation. If you’re unsure about how to determine proper tire inflation for your tires, then here’s one piece of advice: DO NOT go by the number on the sidewall.

Sidewall tire markings (shown left) are found around the circumference of a tire, indicating everything from the brand and the wheel diameter to the load index, speed rating, tread wear, and traction. The pressure label (circled in red) does not indicate the manufacturer’s recommended tire inflation pressure, nor does it indicate the proper air pressure based on the vehicle the tire is mounted on. The number is the maximum pressure allowed for that tire. For the recommended tire inflation pressure, check the label located on the driver’s door or the owner’s manual.

Properly inflated tires can improve fuel efficiency by 3.3 percent and save $.06 a gallon at the pump. Approximately 1.2 billion gallons of fuel are wasted each year by motorists driving on under inflated tires. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that under inflated tires contribute to more than 600 fatalities and 33,000 injuries each year.

All this information and statistical data may be a lot to take in, so on easy way to maintain proper tire pressure longer is with nitrogen tire inflation. Nitrogen tire inflation is exactly what the name says: putting nitrogen into your tires instead of air. Studies have shown that this method of tire inflation maintains proper tire pressure longer than regular air, and keeps them in better health for a longer period of time. Who says we have to change the entire car to improve safety and fuel efficiency? Why not do just one thing differently?

To learn more about nitrogen tire inflation and finding a station near you, check out Nitrofleet99. Don’t worry if you’ve never done this before, as it’s not necessary for you to remove all the air from your tires before inflating them with nitrogen.

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How Nitrogen Tire Inflation Can Save You Gas Money [Video]

On April 23, 2011, in Fuel Efficiency, Nitrogen Tire Inflation, Video, by allisonmreilly
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The current national average for gas prices is $3.83 per gallon. That’s three cents up from last week, and 30 cents higher than a month ago. It may be time to make a gas buddy by taking a few moments only to find the cheapest gas in your area. Or simply drive less and ride your bike, or walk more. There are plenty of ways to save money on gas, so if you haven’t started thinking of ways to save yet, now would be the time to start.

Now, one way to save gas money is to make our vehicles more efficient. I don’t mean turning them into hybrids. I mean simply maintaining your vehicle, or doing a few small things just a little bit differently. So, what can be done to make your car more of a penny saver instead of a penny pincher?

An informal study from Carnegie Mellon University found that the average person who drives 12,000 miles yearly on under-inflated tires uses about 144 extra gallons of gas, at a cost of $300-$500 a year. Keeping those tires properly inflated would save a few hundred dollars, which the average consumer could easily use in today’s economy. A better way to keep tires properly inflated longer is with nitrogen tire inflation. Keep in mind that regularly inflating your tire with nitrogen doesn’t replace the importance of checking your tire pressure regularly.

Inflating your tire with nitrogen also increases the life of your tire and your car. Nitrogen is a dry, non-corrosive gas and will reduce oxidation and rust due to the absence of oxygen and moisture. This will help minimize wheel corrosion to promote better bead sealing. Nitrogen tire inflation has routinely been used by airlines and racing vehicles, but the practice could prove beneficial for drivers who drive infrequently (car collectors, track drivers, snow tire users, motor home owners, etc).

The best thing about nitrogen tire inflation is that you don’t need to remove the air from you tires to make the switch. Why wait for your tires to lose pressure and risk something happening, when you can start saving money today?

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Ford Study Shows Benefits of Nitrogen Tire Inflation

On April 14, 2011, in Managed Fleets, Nitrogen Tire Inflation, by allisonmreilly
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nitrogen tire inflation ford study

Ford presented the results of this study to the American Chemical Society

If air is 78 percent nitrogen, then what’s the big deal about filling your tires with pure nitrogen instead of air? The nitrogen atom is actually smaller than the oxygen atom, so wouldn’t pure nitrogen be worse because it could leak out much more quickly?

Well, for the average consumer, the benefits of nitrogen tire inflation lie in structural durability due to a significant reduction in what is known as rubber oxidation. Rubber oxidation is the deterioration of the rubber due to the molecular interaction between the oxygen and the rubber, which ruins the durability of the tire over time. Studies have been conducted to test and to compare tire durability between those inflated with air and those inflated with nitrogen.

Ford Motor Company, based in Dearborn, Mich., conducted a study in 2004 on the Effects of Nitrogen Tire Inflation, particularly the effects nitrogen inflation has on the aging performance of passenger tires. Tires were inflated with 96 percent and 99.9 percent nitrogen and were aged for three to 12 weeks. For comparison, tires inflated with either air or a 50/50 mixture of oxygen and nitrogen were aged alongside the nitrogen tires. For this study, the Goodyear Wrangler AP LT245/75R15 was used.

The overall conclusion of the Ford study was that when nitrogen was used, the change in rubber properties was either slowed or halted all together. It was also recognized in the study that the average consumer may not need to get rid of their old tires before making the switch from air to nitrogen.

If Ford’s 2004 study seems old and outdated, then consider a 2007 study from Canada’s Drexan Corp. that found similar results. A test by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also showed that using nitrogen reduced tire pressure loss in new tires, improving your gas mileage and the tires’ lifespan over time. Dr. John Daws, of Daws Engineering, has conducted studies most recently as 2010, which have also found similar results.

The nitrogen tire inflation industry is still in its infancy, but multiple studies have shown that putting nitrogen in your tires is beneficial for the long haul. To learn more about how to get nitrogen into your tires, check out Nitrofleet99.

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The Clean Cities Coalition

On April 9, 2011, in Fuel Efficiency, Nitrogen Tire Inflation, by allisonmreilly
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clean cities coalitionConsisting of over 100 coalitions, the Clean Cities Coalition is a government-industry partnership designed to advance our country’s economic, environmental, and energy security by supporting local decisions to adopt practices that contribute to the reduction of petroleum consumption. The program’s 8,400-plus local stakeholders that have helped to reduce the use of petroleum, to add more than half a million alternative fuel vehicles on the road, and to encourage the construction of over 3,000 alternative refueling stations.

Since the inception of Clean Cities in 1993 by the Department of Energy, the program has reduced petroleum consumption by nearly three billion gallons! One way stakeholders can continue to contribute to the reduction is to utilize nitrogen in their tire inflation. Instead of spending time and money purchasing and developing new technology, why not just do something different with the old technology? If anything, it’s simply much more economical.

About 54 percent of Americans drive on under-inflated tires. An under-inflated tire can reduce fuel economy by five percent. This can be fixed with nitrogen, which provides a much more stable tire pressure for a much longer period of time. Nitrogen reduces the average rolling resistance of the tire, thereby improving fuel economy. Five percent may not seem like a lot, however, that five percent adds up to increased fuel and maintenance costs for the many company vehicles of which service and fleet managers are in charge. Besides improved fuel economy, here are a few other ways nitrogen can improve your fleet:

  • Improved Safety: Nitrogen enables more stable tire pressure for longer periods of time, thereby reducing the chances for a blowout.
  • Improved Tire Wear: By eliminating the moisture and oxygen through nitrogen tire inflation, the risk of oxidation of tire walls is significantly reduced, creating better wear characteristics.
  • Improved Tire Pressure Monitoring System Performance: By using nitrogen instead of air in your tires, you reduce “false positive” indications from your tire pressure monitoring system, thereby reducing unnecessary service calls.
  • Improved Rim Life: The moisture and oxygen contained in air accelerates rim rust, causing slow leaks in your tires. The dryness of nitrogen eliminates that condensation.

Whether or not you or your city is a part of the Clean Cities Coalition, it’s very easy for transportation industry professionals to contribute toward the cause. To learn more about how to get more nitrogen, and less air, into your tires, check out NitroFleet99.

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