Why Inflate with Nitrogen?
Compressed air is your tire’s worst enemy. Air is about 79% nitrogen, 20% oxygen, and 1% other. Nitrogen is inert, non combustible and non corrosive. Oxygen, on the other hand, is destructive to rubber and metal materials. As soon as a tire is manufactured and exposed to air, the effects of "oxidation" begin to deteriorate the rubber. Over time the rubber in a tire loses its elasticity and strength.
Is All Nitrogen Gas Equal?
The purity of nitrogen available from automotive service facilities varies greatly. To enjoy the benefits of nitrogen inflation, you must have a minimum "in-tire" purity of 95%. This is easy to verify with the use of a "nitrogen purity analyzer," a common tool that your PetraFlate™ nitrogen dealer will probably have on hand.
My Tires are Low! Now What?
Low tire pressure is generally caused by one of the following:
A leak. Most tire leaks are the result of a hole or puncture, faulty valve, or a porous or corroded wheel. However, permeation is the normal process by which the air in a tire “leaks” through the tire's body or carcass. An "air" filled tire will typically lose 1-3 psi of pressure every month through normal permeation whereas it can take several months for a nitrogen filled tire to lose a single pound of pressure.
Temperature Change. All gases expand and contract with temperature. If you live in an area that experiences dramatic temperature changes, you will need to adjust your tire pressure accordingly. Typically you will only have to adjust your tire pressure "up", adding pressure as ambient temperatures decrease. Count on losing about 2% of your total tire pressure for every 10 degrees in temperature reduction.
Participating PetraFlate dealers will always check and correct your tire pressure with PetraFlate for free during your membership period, and we recommend you have this done every 30 days if possible, or as often as your schedule permits. While it is best to visit your PetraFlate dealer for a free top off, it is fine to correct your tire pressure with regular compressed air for these normal and minor events without diminishing the benefits of your initial PetraFlate fill.
If you have a "flat" tire or a situation where most or all of the PetraFlate in your tire has been lost, you can also fill it with regular air if necessary, but we encourage you to visit your PetraFlate dealer as soon as possible to have the tire(s) purged and refilled with PetraFlate so you can continue to enjoy the benefits it provides.
If you are a member of the PetraFlate Auto Club, most flat tires caused from road hazards, including tires damaged beyond repair, are covered, as is roadside assistance if your flat or damaged tire has left you stranded.
Will PetraFlate improve the performance of the Tire Pressure Monitoring System on my vehicle?
Yes. PetraFlate will help maintain proper inflation in your tires and reduce the number of faults detected by your vehicle’s Tire Pressure Monitoring Sytem.
Do I still need to check tire pressure?
Absolutely! Your spare tire is the most neglected tire on your vehicle, and if you need it you certainly want it to be fully inflated. Because PetraFlate dramatically slows the normal loss of pressure through permeation, your spare tire will hold its proper pressure over a much longer period of time than if it was filled with regular air.
Is PetraFlate compatible with my internal tire balancing product [powder, beads, fluid]?
Absolutely, in fact, you couldn't find a better operating environment for an internal tire balancing product than a tire filled with PetraFlate, due to its dry, inert qualities.