PCL’s Nitrogen Generator

What is nitrogen and why do we put it in our tires?

Nitrogen (N2) is a naturally occurring gas that is found in the air we breathe. When we talk about N2 for your tires, however, we are talking about a processed gas that has had the impurities and moisture of regular air removed. N2 is a larger molecule than oxygen, so it will escape slower than oxygen. This means that you should have to air your tires less frequently, however, it is always important to know if you’re riding with the correct PSI. N2 is commonly used in race cars and aircraft tires, but it is becoming more popular in passenger cars as well.

According to a leading tire retailer, “Nitrogen will slow the amount of tire inflation loss to about one-third of what you’ll experience with air. This means instead of losing one to two PSI per month, you’ll lose 1/3 to 2/3 PSI per month.” Due to it being a ‘dry’ gas compared to oxygen, nitrogen-filled tires don’t generate as much moisture inside when your tires expand from heat and contract when they cool. It’s also worth noting that N2 is not flammable, so putting it in your tires is as safe as filling with regular air.

If you’re interested in filling your tires with nitrogen, be sure to have them purged to get out most of the oxygen and moisture before filling them. Curious if you already have nitrogen in your tires? Here’s an easy way to tell – you’ll have a green cap (or one that says N2) on your tire valve stem! For more information about PCL’s nitrogen generator or if you have questions, email us at sales@pcltireinflationusa.com or chat with us online!