BLOG HOME

  >  

6 Reasons Why Nitrogen Tire Inflation is Great for Managed Fleets

On June 28, 2012, in Managed Fleets, Nitrogen Tire Inflation, Sustainability, by allisonmreilly
0

nitrogen tire inflation for managed fleetsThere’s still a lot of doubt about the value of nitrogen tire inflation, despite research and experience that say otherwise. Even though it may be hard to convince the consumer marketing about the benefits of having nitrogen in tires, industry should take a little less convincing when major companies and industries like the military, the airlines, and NASCAR have used nitrogen tire inflation for years. If you are in fleet management, and you still need a little more convincing, here are six excellent reasons on why nitrogen tire inflation is a good idea for your managed fleet:

  1. Better Pressure Retention – Because of its larger molecular size, nitrogen migrates through a tire three to four times slower than oxygen. Tires are not impermeable, and oxygen molecules migrate through the sidewalls, belts, tread, tire bead, and valve stem. Using nitrogen tire inflation will slow this migration, and help each of your fleet vehicles to maintain proper tire pressure for a longer period of time.
  2. Improved Handling – Proper tire inflation ensure the recommended “contact patch” of your tire is on the road. Tires that are over or underinflated will create uneven wear patterns, making them less safe on which to drive. Over/underinflation also negatively affects fuel efficiency, which leads to our next reason.
  3. Higher Fuel Economy – Proper tire pressure lessens rolling resistance and maximizes fuel efficiency. Research has found that proper tire pressure leads to a 3.3% increase in fuel efficiency. This may not seem like a lot, but for a managed fleet with 100, 1000, or 10,000+ vehicles, those few percentage points add mean a return on investment for nitrogen tire inflation and fuel cost savings in the long run. A tire that is 15 percent underinflated has a 2.5% decrease in fuel economy.
  4. Enhanced Safety and Reliability – Under-inflated tires cause 90 percent of blowouts. Nitrogen provides more reliable pressure for reduced blowout potential. Safety and reliability should be a top priority for all members of a managed fleet.
  5. Longer Tire Life – Under-inflated tires wear quickly on the shoulders, and overinflated tires wear in the center. In addition, removing oxygen eliminates oxidation and condensation that can damage inner liners, steel belts and rims. Proper tire pressure, which nitrogen maintains for a longer period of time than air, increases tire life by 20 percent. A tire that’s 15 percent underinflated has eight percent less tread mileage than one at proper tire pressure. The increase in tire life could mean savings in tire expenses or in retreads for a managed fleet.
  6. Better for the Environment – Anything that improves fuel efficiency and reduces toxic emissions is good for the environment, and nitrogen in your tires can help. Anything that your managed fleet does that’s considered “green” or “sustainable” is also great for marketing purposes, since it’s a way not only to differentiate from the competition but also to appeal to customers.
Sometimes, one small change in how you do things can have a big impact. Nitrogen tire inflation is one of those small changes. Nitrofleet99 is the only nitrogen tire inflation provider that works specifically with managed fleet. They can help any fleet, large or small, integrate the equipment with any maintenance program 
Tagged with: • • • • •
 

Why Managed Fleets Need Nitrogen Tire Inflation

On April 19, 2012, in Managed Fleets, Nitrogen Tire Inflation, Proper Tire Pressure, by allisonmreilly
0
managed fleets nitrogen tire inflation

Managed fleets can really benefit from nitrogen tire inflation.

Managed fleets come in all sizes, and are found in a variety of industries, but do have at least one thing in common: they use a lot of fuel.  With gas prices on the rise, keeping control of those costs can be difficult. However, increasing a vehicle’s fuel economy by just 1 mile per gallon can save a 300-vehicle fleet over $50,000 in one year. Fleet managers can easily reign in fuel costs for their fleets and their companies by improving fuel efficiency.

One of the best ways to improve fuel efficiency is with nitrogen tire inflation because nitrogen in tires makes it easier to achieve the most important factor to improving fuel efficiency and increasing tire life: proper tire pressure. By itself, proper tire pressure increases fuel efficiency between three and six percent. If the vehicle already gets 34 miles to the gallon, then a three percent increase in fuel efficiency will achieve that 1 mile per gallon increase that needed to see savings. If the vehicle gets 25 miles to the gallon, then a four percent increase is what needed to achieve that one mile per gallon. Since nitrogen tire inflation maintains proper tire pressure for a longer period of time, those savings are more easily achieved and kept.

According to the Tire Retread Bureau, the biggest issues affecting the bottom line of fleet managers, after fuel costs, are tire maintenance/safety and replacement/tire wear. Nitrogen tire inflation targets those issues as well as the fuel economy because proper tire pressure increases tire life as well as the fuel economy. This leads to even more savings for managed fleets, as they can not only cut fuels costs but cut tire maintenance and replacement costs as well. According to the Technology & Maintenance Council, 10 percent under inflation will shorten tread life anywhere between nine and 16 percent. Under inflation shortens tread life because driving on these tires causes sidewall flexing, which creates irregular tire wear and extra heat build-up within the tire, reducing retreadability and safety while using more energy and fuel. With an average tire press of $250, under inflation will cost a managed fleet an extra $25 per tire. Proper tire pressure with nitrogen tire inflation will reduce those maintenance costs while making the vehicles safer for your drivers.

Nitrogen tire inflation is a win-win for managed fleets both large and small, and in all sorts of industries. It’s been used by the airline industry, NASCAR, and the military for years, so nitrogen must be doing something right for them. If improving fuel economy or cutting operational costs are what you’re after as a fleet manager, then why not see if nitrogen tire inflation can do something right for your managed fleet?

Tagged with: • • • • • • • •
 

Nitrogen in Tires Will Absolutely Save on Gas

On April 12, 2012, in Fuel Efficiency, Nitrogen Tire Inflation, Proper Tire Pressure, by allisonmreilly
0

nitrogen in tiresA recent article in the Huffington Post showcased six myths about saving on gas. One of those myths was nitrogen tire inflation because the difference is negligible, and tires filled with air at proper tire pressure will achieve the same results. Prepare for this myth to be busted.

We grant that proper tire pressure is what it takes to achieve greater fuel efficiency, but the way the myth is presented in the Huffington Post article presumes that regular air and nitrogen gas react the same way in consumer tires and in the tires of managed fleet vehicles. The only times the two react differently is in commercial aircraft and high-performance race cars, since they undergo much more extreme temperature changes than a typical four-door driver or long-haul driver.

However, regular air does react to even the less extreme temperate changes that take place as one drives to the store or across state lines. Why else would it be recommended to check tire pressure when the tires are cold? What would be the point of this recommendation if regular air didn’t react under normal driving circumstances? Well, regular does react under those circumstances, and when it is used, it warms up as the car is driven, increasing the tire pressure. Checking the tire pressure when the tires are warm could give a false reading of a tire pressure higher than what it actually is. This could cause someone to release tire pressure that’s needed, or not fill up when they really should.

Nitrogen gas maintains proper tire pressure better and for a longer period of time because it doesn’t react to temperature changes nearly as much as regular air. This reaction takes place in the tires you get from your local auto repair shop as well as the tires on race cars and commercial aircraft. Fuel efficiency increase three to five percent with properly inflated tires versus under-inflated tires. With gas prices going up, that kind of fuel efficiency is much more than “negligible” to some people.

True, some dealerships and auto repair shops may charge for nitrogen, but some do provide the service for free. Some sell brand new tires that are already filled with nitrogen. The core of this myth is busted, since the core argument was that commercial aircraft and high-performance vehicles need it to handle the extreme temperature changes. However, temperature changes still take place in regular driving, so it’s reasonable to conclude nitrogen can make a difference to consumers and to managed fleets as well.

Tagged with: • • • • •
 

4 Ways to Winterize Your Tires Before February

On January 19, 2012, in Nitrogen Tire Inflation, Tire Care, by allisonmreilly
0

proper tire careWinter is finally here! Many places have seen at least one snowfall, and temperatures are dropping. If you haven’t yet taken the time to prepare your tires for the cold weather ahead, then it’s time to get started. Here are four ways to get your tires ready for the weeks ahead, and to ensure that you will be safe when driving this winter:

  1. Consider Using Snow Tires – This may be an obvious one if you live in a snowy climate, but snow tires are also a good idea if roads in your area tend to get icy or slippery. Tires that are worn will have a tougher time handling slick streets. Winter tires provide much more traction then normal all-season tires, so if you’re unsure if your tires are worn or not, take the cautious approach and make the switch to snow tires. When the weather warms up, get your all-season tires checked.
  2. Use Tire Chains for Even Tougher Conditions– Tire chains aren’t necessary for everyone, but are a good idea if you know you’ll be driving a long way this winter, or if conditions in your area are expected to be especially brutal. Tire chains are accessories you can install at home that keep the tires in contact with the surface of the road during especially wintry conditions.
  3. Check Your Current Tires for Damage – If you decide to use tire chains, snow tires, or risk it with all-season tires, make sure to check them for damage. This includes taking a look at the sidewall for cracks and checking to see if they are too old. Driving with damaged tires is just about as bad as driving with worn tires or under-inflated tires. And, speaking of which…
  4. Check Your Tire Pressure – Snow tires and tire chains won’t mean much if they are, or are being used, on under-inflated tires. Make sure your tires are at the proper tire pressure, and to check tires when they are cold, not right after a drive. One of the best ways to maintain proper tire pressure for a longer period is to use nitrogen in your tires instead of regular air.

We here at Nitrofleet99 are conscious of tire safety and maintenance, and wish our customers to drive safe this season. As much as we tout the benefits of nitrogen tire inflation, the practice is not a replacement for regular tire safety and maintenance.

Tagged with: • • • • • •
 

3 Tire Care Tips for Managed Fleets in 2012

On January 5, 2012, in Managed Fleets, Proper Tire Pressure, Tire Care, by allisonmreilly
0
tire care tips for managed fleets

Sure, flat tires happen from time to time. But good tire care can prevent a tire disaster from happening.

It’s no secret that taking care of your tires will allow them to last longer. The same is true with most things in life. To keep your tires at their optimum,  make sure to check them monthly for tire wear, proper tire pressure, and any damage that would indicate that your tires would need to be replaced. Here are a few tire care tips to keep in mind this year in order to keep your tires, and your fleet, running at their best:

1. Consider the Load When Looking a Tire Pressure – Tire footprint and traction are reduced when van, pickup or RV tires are over inflated for the loads carried. In particular, tires with aggressive tread patterns may contribute to oversteer or “roadwalk” if inflated beyond the inflation pressure specified in the Owner’s Manual and vehicle placard for standard or customary loads. Over inflation also increases the chances of bruise damage. Higher inflation pressure increases stiffness which may deteriorate ride and generate unwanted vibration. If worried about over inflation when on the road, make sure to check the tire pressure when they are cool and not right after a drive.

2. Tire Care is Also a Safety Issue – Under inflation is the most common cause of failures in any kind of tire and may result in severe cracking, component separation or “blowout,” with unexpected loss of vehicle control and accident. Under inflation increases sidewall flexing and rolling resistance resulting in heat and mechanical damage. Also keep in mind that under inflation reduces a tire’s ability to support the vehicle’s load and transmit cornering, braking and acceleration forces, which could increase the chances of a flat tire or a tire blowout.

3. Check Tire Pressure Regularly – Although nitrogen tire inflation maintains proper tire pressure for a longer period of time, it is not meant to be a replacement for good tire care and regular maintenance. For managed fleets, tire pressure should be checked weekly, as under inflated tires not only increase safety risk, they also reduce your fuel efficiency and end up costing you money. There’s should be no substitution for safety.

With these three tips in mind, managed fleets should have an excellent 2012 with their vehicles.

Tagged with: • • •
 

Give Your Tires Some TLC This Christmas

On December 22, 2011, in Nitrogen Tire Inflation, Proper Tire Pressure, Tire Care, by allisonmreilly
0
Nitrogen Tire Inflation

Nitrogen tire inflation is a good way to provide your tires the tender, loving care they need.

According to a recent survey from Consumer Reports, 40 percent of drivers delay automotive maintenance. Forty-four percent of those who deferred work in the past year also admitted they felt the value, safety or reliability of the vehicle would suffer, with some saying the car was becoming an embarrassment. Do yourself, and your car, a favor this Christmas be giving a little TLC to your tires.

Providing the tender, loving care that your tires want and need can be as simple as checking them to make sure they are at the proper tire pressure. Checking your tire pressure is free is you already have a pressure gauge, or a few dollars if you don’t. If you realize that your tire pressure is low, then you might want to consider topping them off with nitrogen tire inflation instead of the air at a gas station.

Yes, the air is cheaper, and in this economy, people are looking for any and all ways to cut costs. However, with tire inflation, like most things in life, you get what you pay for. Filling your tires with nitrogen instead of regular air is something to consider, especially if you’re planning on having your car, and your tires, for a long long time.

Compounding the issue of deferred automotive repair and maintenance is the fact that drivers are holding onto their vehicles longer – the average age of vehicles on the road today is nine years old. Many of the respondents in the Consumer Reports survey bought their cars used, and have owned them for at least five years with the intent to hold on to that vehicle for another five. If you want your tires to last as long as your car, then you’re going to need to invest in nitrogen tire inflation.

Many people buy Christmas presents for themselves, so if that’s you, instead of new clothes or an iPad, consider putting that money into your vehicle and into your tires. Sure, the iPad is a lot more fun and shiny, but the tablet doesn’t take you to and from work.

Tagged with: • • • •
 

5 Gas Saving Tips to Get You Ready for Your Holiday Shopping

On November 17, 2011, in Fuel Efficiency, Nitrogen Tire Inflation, Proper Tire Pressure, by allisonmreilly
0
gas saving tips

Gas is expensive! Here are five gas saving tips for you:

The holiday season is one week away, where we will be spending more time driving to visit family and friends, to do our Christmas shopping, or maybe to take a vacation. With all that going on, are there ways to do it all while reducing our gas consumption and saving a little money? Turns out there are, and here are five things that you can do to save gas, to save money, and get all your holiday things done at the same time.

  1. Avoid carrying unneeded items in the trunk. An extra 100 pounds can reduce a car’s fuel economy by one to two percent. Plus, you might want to make room for those gifts you need to buy, and hide until Christmas morning.
  2. Consider consolidating your trips, as it can save you time as well as gas and money. Going to both the mall and the grocery store can not only save on all those things, but would also make a good cover for your Christmas shopping. If anyone asks, you spent a lot of time in line waiting for that perfect, delicious Christmas ham.
  3. Don’t idle, even if it’s just for a short period. Idling for one minute uses up more fuel than shutting off the car and restarting it. Understandably, with winter coming, it would be warmer to keep the car on. However, if you’re going to be stopped or parked, even for just a few minutes, consider turning off the car and going somewhere warm for those few minutes.
  4. Choose a less congested route. Those routes with heavy traffic and lots of traffic lights aren’t the best on fuel efficiency. Finding a less congested route might be harder to find as everyone gears up to head to the malls and to spend the holidays with families and friends, but consider the possibility that the shortest route to your destination might not be the most fuel efficient.
  5. Make sure your tires are the proper tire pressure. A single tire underinflated by 2 PSI increases fuel consumption by one percent. Now, imagine that  you have two, three, or four wheels that are underinflated. That’s a lot of unnecessary fuel consumption! If you need to get your tires to the right pressure, consider doing so with nitrogen tire inflation. The practice of putting nitrogen in your tires has been proven to improve fuel efficiency and to maintain tire pressure for a longer period of time.
Tagged with: • • • • •
 

October is National Car Care Month

On October 20, 2011, in Nitrogen Tire Inflation, Proper Tire Pressure, Tire Care, by allisonmreilly
0
national car care month

While he’s at it, ask him to top off your tires with nitrogen.

Take Care of Your Car with Nitrogen Tire Inflation

October is National Car Care Month, and with the colder temperatures starting to creep into cities all across the country, now’s the best time to perform some care maintenance before the weather becomes severe. Even though there’s only a week and a half left in October, there’s still time to include a little tender loving care for you vehicle.

One of the best ways to prepare for the winter months and to take care of your ar is to take care of your tires. AAA said on KEZI9  that the number one thing you can do to improve your gas mileage is to make sure your tires are inflated to the manufacturer’s recommendations. If tires are under-inflated by even a pound, it can take reduce fuel efficiency by two percent per tire. Having all of your tires at proper tire pressure can boost your fuel efficiency by three percent. So, which one do you want: a negative eight percent in fuel efficiency, or a positive three percent in fuel efficiency? Hopefully, the latter.

To figure out the manufacturer’s recommendations for proper tire pressure, take a look at the owner’s manual for the vehicle, and not on the tire’s sidewall. A good time to check your tires is right before you get into the car to drive it for the first time of the day. Checking them right after you’ve driven can offer skewed results, since the heat from driving can change the pressure. If all that seems to difficult, you can take your car to an auto mechanic and do the regular tune up. Either way, a good way to keep your tire tuned up for a longer period of time, and through the winter months, is through nitrogen tire inflation.

The pure nitrogen that is used in nitrogen tire inflation systems is much more resistant to temperature changes, much more so than regular air. That’s because regular air contains water vapor, which will cause your tire pressure to change when the temperatures begin to fall. Not only will nitrogen boost fuel efficiency, but it will make your tires better for the cold weather coming up (if it hasn’t already arrived). It’ll be one less thing to worry about when driving this winter.

Tagged with: • • • •
 

Preparing Teens to Drive: What You May Have Missed

On September 29, 2011, in Nitrogen Tire Inflation, Proper Tire Pressure, Tire Care, by allisonmreilly
0
preparing teens to drive

Teen driving should also include how to take care of a vehicle.

When parents prepare their teens for driving and the driver’s test, what sort of things are covered? Well, things like maneuvering the vehicle, reading street signs and lane markings, and preparing for both the written exam and the driver’s exam. Although those things are certainly important, they certainly don’t make up the whole picture when it comes to driving.

Something that’s often missed is car maintenance. This is something that really ought to be covered, especially if parents plan to purchase a separate vehicle for their teens (actually, this might be a good idea even if you plan to share your vehicles with your newly licensed children). After all, what’s the point of the license if you don’t have a well-maintained vehicle to drive? Wouldn’t it be a good idea for your teen to know what to do in case an emergency happens, like if a tire goes flat or the oil starts to leak?

When educating your teen on car maintenance, a good place to start is with the tires. A car can’t go anywhere unless the tires are properly maintained, and it’s better for you and your teens to know when they need to be maintained instead of waiting for a flat or blowout to happen. Make sure to educate your teen about proper tire pressure and on how to fill up a tire if it’s below pressure. If the car your teen will be driving has a spare, make sure to let them know that it’s there, and that it needs to be checked for proper tire pressure as well. Having proper tire pressure will improve fuel efficiency, which will be a good thing to keep in mind. Filling up the tank can burn a hole in the wallet of a teen. If unsure about your teen keeping up with filling the tires, then utilize nitrogen tire inflation to keep the tires properly inflated for a longer period of time.

Next, show them underneath the hood. You don’t need to have the mind of a mechanic, or expect your teen to have one, but your teen should at least know his or her way around. Point out the basics, such as the battery, the engine, the alternator, the transmission, and the radiator. If you know how, show them how to jump start or to change the battery. Also, show them how to replace or to refill the necessary liquids, such as the oil, the coolant, and the washer fluid.

Finally, educate your teen about the emergency kit and the insurance, in case they are pulled over or something happens at night. The emergency kit should include flares, a blanket, and emergency triangles. An emergency kit can easily be purchased at a car parts or auto repair shop. As for the insurance and registration, show them where those are located in the vehicle and what to do to keep those up-to-date. In case your teen gets pulled over, or gets in a minor accident, having the insurance and registration on hand will make things easier for everyone.

Of course, all that good information won’t be able to apply until the teen gets his or her driver’s license. One way to prepare is through some free DMV practice tests. Another way to get out on the road, practicing on both the highway and in busy intersections. Overall, learning to drive a car also needs to come with learning how to maintain it, and learning what to if a breakdown or an emergency arises.

Tagged with: • • • •
 

Goodyear Developing Self-Inflating Tires: The End to Inflation as We Know It?

On September 15, 2011, in Nitrogen Tire Inflation, Proper Tire Pressure, by allisonmreilly
0
self-inflating tires

Will these be obsolete with AMT? Not yet.

About a month ago, Goodyear announced that it is in development of a self-inflating tire. This tire will come with a miniaturized pump in each tire to ensure proper tire pressure at all times. Dubbed “Air Maintenance Technology”, these new pumps will enable tires to remain inflated at the optimum pressure without the need for any external pumps or electronics. All components of the AMT system, including the miniaturized pump, will be fully contained within the tire.

“While the technology is complex, the idea behind the AMT system is relatively simple and powered by the tire itself as it rolls down the road,” said Jean-Claude Kihn, Goodyear senior vice president and chief technical officer, in a press release.

“A tire that can maintain its own inflation is something drivers have wanted for many years. Goodyear has taken on this challenge and the progress we have made is very encouraging,” said Kihn. “This will become the kind of technological breakthrough that people will wonder how they ever lived without.”

As great as this sounds, this technology DOES NOT eliminate the need for checking your tire pressure from time to time. After all, if this self-inflating tire receives a puncture, how are you to know without checking the tire? If the self-inflating system isn’t working for whatever reason, how are you to maintain tire pressure then? So, don’t throw away your tire pressure gauges and “set and forget” your tires quite yet.

The Department of Energy recently awarded Goodyear and PPG $1.5 million to study self-inflating tire technology, which is likely to initially be targeted towards trucks and other commercial vehicles. Meaning, that even if Goodyear successfully creates these tires, they won’t hit the consumer market right away. True, Goodyear is developing a self-inflating tire for the consumer market at its research facilities in Luxembourg, but there hasn’t been any word as to when these tires will be finished and will be released into the market. Until then, it will still be the consumer’s responsibility to maintain proper tire pressure and to have the tires checked for maintenance regularly. Also keep in mind that the cost of these tires is still unknown, and that these tires will only be from Goodyear. So, someone who doesn’t want to pay for these tires, or doesn’t want Goodyear tires, would still need to check and to maintain their own tire pressure.

Overall, this sounds really great, but doesn’t entirely eliminate the need for nitrogen tire inflation, and for you to get your tires checked. This isn’t the end of inflation as we know because if this technology comes out and we rely on it too much, we put ourselves in danger of something happening because we didn’t take the time to maintain this technology.

Tagged with: • • • • •
 
« Previous Entries Next Entries »

Nitronomics Blog: Save Money & the Environment • GoNitroTire on Facebook
© 2008 All rights reserved GoNitro Inc. (dba GoNitroTire) • Privacy Policy
Duplication of any portion of this website without prior written consent from GoNitro Inc. is prohibited.