Kwik Fit introduces nitrogen inflation service

Kwik Fit has introduced nitrogen tyre-filling to help fleets and company car and van drivers boost fuel economy and improve road safety.

The fast fit is charging £1 per tyre for the service.

A recent study by the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the US concluded that inflating tyres with nitrogen instead of air:

• Enhances tyre pressure retention
• Maintains tyre performance properties such as rolling resistance, handling and durability

In a 90-day static laboratory NHSTA test, the average pressure loss rate for tyres inflated with air was 2.13% per month, while the average for tyres inflated with gas containing 95-99% nitrogen the loss was 1.39% per month.

The inflation of tyres with gas mixtures containing more than 90% nitrogen has long been claimed to be beneficial to tyre performance.

However, according to Kwik Fit, tyres are typically inflated at dealerships and on garage forecourts with air that contains approximately 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and 1% other gases.

Mike Wise, head of Kwik-Fit Fleet, said: “We know that either through oversight or laziness checking tyre pressure regularly is not a frontline priority for many drivers.

“Inflating tyres with nitrogen, while not a substitute for regular pressure checks, will help. In turn that will maintain tyre performance and therefore improve safety, tyre life and fuel economy.”