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A tall cylinder and a taller filling tank are evidence of the Chordias' immense liking for Formula I. With these apparatus, Loonchand Chordia and his sons Deepak and Nitin are trying to give common tyres what the circular rubbers on their favourite Formula I machines are fed with — nitrogen.
Through a nitrogen tyre inflation facility, installed at "tyrestore" (a tyre service centre on Greams Road), the Chordias are making an assertion — nitrogen that is paid for is better than free air.
"Tyres in aircraft and racing vehicles have to grapple with unusual temperature levels and the only way they can do it is with the help of nitrogen, which is cooler than compressed air, remains constant even under high temperatures and does not leak out so easily. It, therefore, provides the tyres the high pressure required for high speed travel," says Deepak.
Now, why should the guy riding a bike that barely touches 90 kph or a car that rattles when the needle on the speedometer slips past point 100 use nitrogen? Would what proves advantageous on the tarmac prove helpful on tracks meant to take people from point A to point B?
"Nitrogen inflation ensures that your tyres get 99.9 per cent of refined nitrogen. Tyres with that amount of nitrogen roll more freely, because this gas is lighter than compressed air. Tyre wears more slowly when it is fed on nitrogen. Nitrogen increases tyre life by 10 to 15 per cent. Air has more moisture and it oxidises from inside eating into the rim. Nitrogen is trouble-free on that front." Although Deepak says the free movement of the tyres make for fuel efficiency, he refrains from telling how much, for want of a thorough study on the subject. The nitrogen tyre inflation also thrives on the fill-it-shut-it concept and is marketed as a godsend for lazy bones — "The nitrogen will stay inside the tyres for well over three months, which means you don't worry that often about the air pressure. We offer three-month and one-month warranties to four and two wheelers. Thanks to thinner tubes, nitrogen might slip out of two-wheeler tyres faster."
Nitrogen inflation charges depend on the size of the tyre.
P.F.
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