Tire maintenance is a crucial part of ensuring the safety performance and longevity of your vehicle. 

While most drivers are accustomed to filling their tires with regular compressed air an increasing number of vehicle owners are turning to nitrogen as an alternative. 

But what makes nitrogen different from regular air and is it really a better option for tire inflation? 

In this article, we’ll explore the benefits reasons for preference and potential drawbacks of nitrogen filled tires. 

By the end you’ll have a clearer understanding of whether nitrogen inflation is worth considering for your vehicle.

What is Nitrogen and Why is It Used in Tires?

Nitrogen is a colorless odorless and inert gas that makes up about 78% of the Earth’s atmosphere. Its properties make it a valuable option for tire inflation. 

When it comes to filling tires, nitrogen offers some unique advantages over the compressed air typically used in most vehicles.

Why Do People Prefer Nitrogen Instead of Compressed Air in Tires?

Stability of Nitrogen Molecules

People prefer nitrogen in tires because its larger more stable molecules help maintain pressure longer than oxygen in compressed air. 

Oxygen seeps out faster causing air filled tires to lose pressure more quickly while nitrogen filled tires retain pressure improving performance and reducing refilling frequency.

Reduced Oxidation

Oxygen in compressed air can contribute to the oxidation of the tire’s internal components such as the rubber and metal rims. 

Over time the presence of oxygen inside the tire can lead to the breakdown of these materials reducing the lifespan of the tire. 

Nitrogen on the other hand is inert which means it does not react with the rubber or metals reducing the risk of internal oxidation and extending the life of the tire.

Better Pressure Maintenance 

Nitrogen helps maintain tire pressure more consistently than air as it loses pressure slower due to its lower permeability. 

This results in tires staying properly inflated longer reducing the risk of underinflation which can impact performance fuel efficiency, and tire wear.

Improved Fuel Efficiency

Underinflated tires can increase rolling resistance, which means the engine has to work harder to move the vehicle. 

This leads to increased fuel consumption. Since nitrogen-filled tires maintain their pressure longer and lose less air over time, drivers may notice better fuel efficiency. 

In addition, properly inflated tires contribute to better vehicle handling, ensuring that fuel is used more efficiently.

Reduced Risk of Tire Blowouts

The consistent pressure provided by nitrogen reduces the likelihood of tire blowouts. Overinflated tires often caused by fluctuating air pressure can be at risk of bursting especially in hot weather. 

Since nitrogen filled tires maintain their pressure they are less prone to these risks improving overall safety.

Reduced Moisture Content

Compressed air being a mixture of different gases often contains moisture which can be harmful to tires and rims. 

Water vapor inside the tire can lead to rusting of the rims and increased pressure fluctuations due to temperature changes. 

Nitrogen on the other hand is dry and free of moisture ensuring that tires maintain more stable pressure and preventing potential damage to internal components.

What is the Disadvantage of Nitrogen Filled Tires?

While there are clear benefits to using nitrogen to inflate tires there are also some disadvantages and limitations that need to be considered.

Availability and Cost

A main drawback of nitrogen filled tires is availability and cost. Unlike free compressed air nitrogen requires special equipment, making it more expensive. 

Additionally nitrogen refills may be limited especially in rural areas requiring drivers to switch back to air.

Inflation Process

Inflating tires with nitrogen requires specialized equipment. While many tire shops offer nitrogen inflation it’s not as common as using regular air. 

This means that, in certain cases, drivers may find it inconvenient to locate a service station that offers nitrogen filling. 

Additionally if a tire needs to be repaired it’s more challenging to find shops that are equipped to refill the tire with nitrogen.

No Immediate Gains for Everyday Drivers

For everyday drivers, the benefits of nitrogen filled tires may not be noticeable. While nitrogen helps with tire longevity and pressure maintenance regular cars may not see significant improvements in performance or fuel efficiency making it less worthwhile for standard vehicles.

Tires Will Still Lose Pressure Over Time

Nitrogen filled tires lose pressure more slowly than air filled tires but they still naturally lose pressure over time. 

While nitrogen may reduce the need for frequent checks it doesn’t eliminate the need for regular tire pressure maintenance.

Mixing Nitrogen and Air 

Mixing nitrogen with compressed air is safe but it reduces nitrogen’s benefits like better pressure retention and reduced oxidation. For maximum benefit drivers should keep tires exclusively filled with nitrogen.

EU Tyre Label

The EU Tyre Label which rates tires based on fuel efficiency wet grip and noise levels can also be considered when selecting tires for inflation. 

Proper tire pressure whether using nitrogen or air can contribute to better fuel efficiency and overall tire performance which aligns with the criteria of the EU Tyre Label.

Conclusion

In conclusion nitrogen is beneficial for high performance vehicles or those in extreme conditions offering better tire longevity pressure maintenance and reduced oxidation.

For regular vehicles the benefits may be minimal compared to cost availability and convenience. 

The choice between nitrogen and air depends on your vehicle’s needs driving habits and budget with the most suitable option based on your unique situation and preference for maintaining tire performance and safety.