In this column SA Treads editor, Liana Shaw, explains why nitrogen inflation could offer little-known benefits to retreaders.

It is probably no secret by now that I am a fan of nitrogen in tyres. I have spoken with too many fleet operators who swear by the cost-saving benefits of running on nitrogen, not to be a believer. I have also been using nitrogen in my own car tyres for over a year and enjoy not having to check tyre pressures every time I fill up. Unlike the inconvenience of running on air, which tends to escape from tyres at a rapid rate, the composition of nitrogen gas – which is characterized by larger molecules – substantially reduces the rate of emission. Then take the heat factor, long acknowledged as a tyre’s biggest enemy. Being an inert gas, tyres inflated with nitrogen run cooler, thereby prolonging tyre life. So far, so good. But could nitrogen’s properties and unique features extend further so as to be able to render valuable assistance to the retreader? The experts seem to think so.