Frequently Asked Questions
The NitroPRO Operation Manual for your NTF Nitrogen Tire Inflation System contains important information regarding the operation and servicing of your unit. Please consult this document if you have questions regarding its use.
Question:
Regular air-filled tires already contain about 78% nitrogen. Why does the extra amount of nitrogen make such a big difference in tires?
Answer:
There are three distinct factors at work here. First, the extra percentage of nitrogen (93% to 95%) makes a significant difference in maintaining consistent tire pressure simply because the nitrogen molecule is larger in size than the oxygen molecule and migrates out of semi-porous materials (rubber tires) at slower rates than do oxygen molecules. Studies have shown when a tire is inflated with a minimum of 93% nitrogen, the tire maintains its pressure three-to-four times longer than when regular air is utilized.
Second, oxygen is a corrosion initiator and supports combustion. Both of these qualities make oxygen a poor tire inflation gas. The presence of oxygen is particularly harmful in high pressure and high moisture content environments such as the interior of a tire. So the goal is to minimize the content of oxygen and moisture to prevent interior wheel corrosion which impacts a tire's ability to properly sit on the rim and provide a consistent, tight seal. This is becoming a significant issue today especially with the increase in alloy wheel popularity. Nitrogen is an inert gas so it is non-corrosive, and nitrogen does not support combustion.
Third, on-demand nitrogen generation requires a moisture-free air source. All NitroPRO Nitrogen Tire Inflation Systems "ultra-scrub" water moisture from the input air source. This results in generated nitrogen that is at minimum 99.9% moisture- free. The absence of water vapor in a near-nitrogen pure environment helps to stabilize interior tire pressure when the tire exterior is subjected to large temperature differentials.
This is why nitrogen makes the big difference!
Question:
How is using nitrogen in tires good for the environment?
Answer:
Because tires stay properly inflated for a longer period of time with nitrogen inflation, cars get better gas mileage and use less fuel. Less fuel burned translates into lower emissions introduced to the environment. Additionally, tires wear much longer when consistently and properly inflated, and thus longer-life tires reduce the demand for oil and other raw materials as well.
Question:
Why doesn't the purity level in the tire exactly match the stated purity level of the NTF machine after a service?
Answer:
All NTF series machines are factory preset to generate 95% nitrogen at the membrane outlet in front of the unit reservoir. (The NTF-515 provides a purity selector switch that allows you to set your machine at either 95% or 98% generation purity.) Since both machine reservoirs and vehicle tires always contain residual amounts of ambient air, the total overall nitrogen purity level will register slightly lower in the reservoir and again slightly lower in the tire because of residual air dilution. Vacuuming air out of the tire before nitrogen inflation -- or the process of deflating, nitrogen inflation, purging, and nitrogen re-inflation -- helps to minimize the dilution affect, but some dilution will always be present.
The only way to completely eliminate the dilution impact of ambient air in the nitrogen inflation process would be to draw a perfect vacuum throughout the entire fill system (fill lines, reservoir, and tire) and then fill with 100% pure nitrogen. However, this is not practical and, of course, is not necessary because 93% nitrogen purity in the vehicle's tire is all that is necessary to produce the desired benefits of nitrogen tire inflation.
Question:
How often should I replace my filters on my NitroPRO NTF machines?
Answer:
This depends upon many factors such as the condition of the compressed air being introduced into the NTF machine, the frequency of NTF machine use, and other circumstances. Every NitroPRO portable nitrogen generation system comes standard with a high-capacity filter complete with color-coded filter minder (the needle indicator is active only when the unit is generating nitrogen). When the needle on the filter minder indicator moves from the yellow band into the red band, it's time to replace the filter. RTI suggests shops purchase new filter(s) when the needle in the filter minder window moves from the green to the yellow band. Please be advised, however, that to maintain the warranty on your NitroPRO machine, RTI requires you to replace the filter on your unit annually. Also, these filters are sealed units and cannot be cleaned.
Question:
I've heard the payoff on nitrogen inflation equipment can be very fast. Why is that?
Answer:
Nitrogen tire inflation with NitroPRO Tire Inflation Systems offers very high profit potential because it uses virtually no consumables and has a low labor factor. This is especially true with the NitroPRO NTF-515 which can fill up to six tires simultaneously while being remotely monitored by your service technicians with RTI's patented TechALERT system. The price you charge your customer is very nearly pure profit to your business. (Check out our profit calculator to see for yourself.)
Question:
How much should I charge to fill tires with nitrogen?
Answer:
This depends upon your specific market area. RTI has seen wide price variations across the country in the cost of this service — anywhere from $25 - $50 per vehicle for initial fill and anywhere from $5 - $10 for tire pressure/N2 purity check/top-off service.
In short, your cost to fill a vehicle will vary widely depending upon several factors such as tire quantity, size and pressure. (Note that dually tire installations, spare tire inflation, larger size tires and higher pressure tires require more nitrogen and longer purge/fill times.) Additionally, many service shops are now bundling nitrogen tire inflation with other services.
Question:
Do tire manufacturers void warranty when their tires are inflated with nitrogen?
Answer:
No! Tires are still covered under a tire manufacturer's warranty when a customer uses nitrogen as the inflation gas.
Question:
What if my customer develops a flat or has a slow leak and nitrogen is not available in his/her area?
Answer:
Topping off a nitrogen-inflated tire with regular compressed air is acceptable in these circumstances. Naturally since your customer made the initial investment to convert to nitrogen inflation, RTI recommends the subject tire be "nitrogen-serviced" as soon as possible to resume the beneficial impact nitrogen has on the vehicle.
Question:
It appears my typical service time has increased with my NitroPRO system. What could be the cause?
Answer:
Nearly every time RTI has encountered this problem the Nitrogen filter located on the back panel of the unit requires replacement. RTI strongly recommends the filter minder window be visually inspected at least once a week to monitor the condition of the nitrogen filter. If the needle in the window appears in the yellow band, it's time to re-order another filter. If the needle is in the red zone, the filter requires immediate replacement. Please be advised that annual filter replacement is required by RTI to maintain warranty on your NitroPRO Tire Inflation System.
Question:
Does nitrogen inflation affect the accuracy of tire pressure monitoring systems now being installed as standard equipment on some cars?
Answer:
No! Nitrogen inflation gas has no detrimental affect on TPMS sensors because the sensor is reacting to the pressure level of the inflation gas within the tire. RTI continually receives reports that vehicles equipped with TPMS and running nitrogen tire inflation have had dramatically fewer issues with false signals from such systems because the nitrogen gas now contained inside the tire is virtually moisture-free. (Moisture contained in regular air dramatically affects pressure and temperature stability inside tires.) The TPMS low-pressure indicator light should not be illuminated if a vehicle's tires are properly inflated with nitrogen to the manufacturer's recommended specification unless the TPMS is malfunctioning.
Question:
Are tire inflators with sealants compatible with NitroPRO systems?
Answer:
No. Tire inflators with sealant are not compatible with nitrogen tire inflation generator systems regardless of manufacturer. Specifically, RTI does not recommend servicing tire(s) that were previously inflated with any tire sealer products because the sealer is harmful to the machine's filtering systems and nitrogen generation membrane. It is crucial before any service to verify that sealants are not present in the tire before connecting the machine!
Question:
What is the recommended procedure for top-off service with nitrogen-filled tires?
Answer:
RTI recommends users always check both nitrogen purity and pressure in each individual tire (including the spare) before any service. Testing nitrogen purity is as important as pressure because many consumers don't always remember the service history of their tires or don't realize the dilution impact of ambient air if one or more tires were unwittingly topped off by a non-nitrogen pressure source. To avoid any issues, it is always better to be fully aware of the fill condition of all tires before you start a service.
Question:
Are NitroPRO chrome valve stems caps compatible with all tire valve stems?
Answer:
Certain automobile OEMs have issued service bulletins advising against the use of specialty valve stem caps due to cap removal difficulties caused by corrosion in certain geographic areas of the country and potential signal interference with TPMS systems. Because of the wide variety of OEM vehicle makes and models and the wide variety of aftermarket wheel, tire and wheel/tire accessory manufacturers today, it is the responsibility of the installer to determine application suitability of NitroPRO valve stem caps.
Question:
The NTF-515 allows me to select either 95% or 98% nitrogen purity. Which should I choose?
Answer:
It depends upon your local market area and customer base. Some drivers and shop owners insist that a vehicle must have its tires inflated with a minimum of 95% pure nitrogen to realize any benefit. This is not true. Leading experts now agree that a minimum nitrogen purity level of 93% is all that's required to yield all of the beneficial attributes of running nitrogen-filled tires. Of course, greater purity levels are acceptable, but it is important to remember that higher nitrogen purity levels will require more generation time - and that will directly result in longer service cycles. If the customer base in your market area insists on higher tire nitrogen levels, this can be easily accomplished with the NTF-515 by moving the N2 purity selector switch to the 98% purity level position. But remember, service cycle times will dramatically increase. Also, when selecting the higher level setting (moving switch from 95% to 98% purity), it will be necessary to purge all existing nitrogen in the tank mounted on the machine because the initial purity level inside the tank was at 95%. If the switch is moved from the higher setting (98%) to the lower setting (95%), no purging is necessary because the higher nitrogen content already in the reservoir will not adversely affect the desired lower purity level. RTI Technologies recommends that the user select only one purity level initially and remain at that setting.
Question:
How long does the rechargeable battery last in my NTF-515?
Answer:
This depends upon many factors including the age of the battery, the charge condition of the battery, and other circumstances. Normally, a new fully charged battery in the NTF-515 will provide a full day of services before a recharging is required.
Question:
How long does it take to recharge the battery in my NTF-515?
Answer:
This depends upon the age, condition and charge depletion state of the battery. For a newer battery in good condition but otherwise in a depleted charge state, the time required to fully charge will be normally five-to-six hours.
Question:
Since the NTF-515 Fill Controller is battery powered, can I operate the machine without an air hose connection?
Answer:
Yes, but for only a limited time because when the nitrogen pressure and volume required by your specific service exceeds the amount remaining in the NitroPRO reservoir, compressed air will be required to generate additional nitrogen within the machine to complete the service.
Question:
What is the best way to coil and store my hoses on the NTF-515?
Answer:
Store the large hose in a 12"-16" untwisted coil on the lower hook. Store the small hose in a 12"-16" untwisted coil on the upper hook. The big coil goes on first.
Question:
What is the best way to coil and store my Dually Fill Hose Option on the NTF-515?
Answer:
Coil both ends into 12"-16" untwisted coils and loop over the dual machine grab handles located at either side of the Dually Hose Quick-Disconnect Fitting at the back of the machine.
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