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| Motorists switching over to nitrogen for smooth drive Oct 7, 09 |
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It facilitates in better retention of tyre pressure
CHENNAI: The concept of using nitrogen gas for tyres is slowly catching up in the city with a few petrol bunks offering the facility. They also continue to provide compressed air.
According to petrol bunk owners, filling tyres with nitrogen gas facilitates better retention of the tyre pressure and enhances its life by 25 per cent.
It is also being preferred by many motorists as they need to check the tyre pressure less often than with compressed air, they said.
R.Radhakrishnan, General Manager (South Zone) of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, said nitrogen gas tyre inflator machines have been installed at petrol pumps of the company in Anna Nagar, Alwarpet and on Poonamallee High Road, Kilpauk. Nitrogen gas is non-combustible and gives better grip. Nitrogen in tyres reduces wear and tear unlike compressed air, which contains moisture that oxidises the tyres.
Nitrogen gas could be filled both in two-wheeler tyres and tubeless tyres of cars. The compressed air is completely removed before nitrogen gas is filled, he said. Officials of Indian Oil Corporation said that of its 137 retail outlets in the Chennai Metropolitan area, 22 petrol bunks, including those in Anna Nagar, R.K.Salai and Meenambakkam provide the facility. It would be extended to other outlets too.
Tyre dealers in the city said nitrogen was used in race vehicles as the gas is cooler and lighter than air. M.Navarathan of Gopalapuram said “it is much preferred by customers for long distance travel as the tyres do not get heated.” While many petrol bunks offer nitrogen gas free of cost as a value-added service, some charge up to Rs.50 to fill nitrogen in each tyre and Rs.10 for subsequent refills.
source : The Hindu 8/10/09 |
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