Top up with Total nitrogen
According to Total South Africa, it is the first energy company to introduce a nitrogen tyre top-up service to the South African market. Launched on 24 October 2010, it encourages consumers to switch to nitrogen as a tyre refill.
"This is another step forward to minimise part of the environmental impact of driving. Through replacing air in tyres with nitrogen, South African motorists' tyres will maintain correct pressure with reduced rolling resistance and less friction - meaning less energy consumption," comments marketing manager Reina Cullinan of Total South Africa.
Nitrogen advantages
Nitrogen is a non-combustible, non-flammable, non-corrosive pure gas, so it does not hold heat and tyres therefore run cooler. Claimed benefits include:
- Nitrogen is the biggest molecule gas and is therefore the slowest gas to migrate through a tyre, maintaining pressure up to four times longer than ordinary air
- Tyres inflated with nitrogen run between 10-15% cooler than when inflated with air
- Nitrogen extends the tyre life by at least 20%
- Nitrogen does not attack or oxidise the rubber of the tyre from the inside, eliminating internal rim rust and damage
Participating service stations are listed on the Total South Africa website.