Should You Inflate Your Tires With Nitrogen?

Inflating your tires with nitrogen will keep your tire properly inflated longer than with regular air. This will lead to less tire wear and improved fuel economy, but is it worth the additional expense and hassle?

cartireImage by tristanf

Since nitrogen molecules are larger than oxygen, they will not escape through as many of the microscopic holes in the porous rubber of the tire. This is why they can stay inflated longer. However, regular air contains about 78% nitrogen, so the oxygen accounts for only a small amount of the air in your tire. Either choice of air will lose tire pressure, nitrogen will just lose it a little slower.

Some stores and repair shops will add an additional charge for nitrogen. This can be anywhere from $5-$25 per tire. There are other places that will not charge, Costco being one of them. Even if you can avoid an additional expense, you may have trouble finding a location to get your air topped up when you need it.

While proper inflation is important, you can keep your tires running at their best by checking their pressure once a month. By using regular air, you can easily keep the tires topped up at gas stations or get a portable air compressor to keep in your trunk. With proper maintenance, whether with nitrogen or air, your tires will last longer, help you driver safer, and save you some gas.

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Tom Drake is the owner and head writer of Canadian Finance Blog.

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4 Responses to Should You Inflate Your Tires With Nitrogen?
  1. James
    December 1, 2009 | 12:21 pm

    The only thing…where do you get the nitrogen? Can you get it at a service station?
    James ´s last blog ..Go Buy Some Stock

  2. Tom
    December 1, 2009 | 1:10 pm

    Car dealers and tire installers have it, but it’s not conveinient to get in when you need a couple PSI topped up.

  3. Tyre Changer
    May 28, 2010 | 1:34 pm

    It is important because nitrogen is a clean gas that is moisture free, it slows down the aging of your tires and therefore increases the maximum age of the tires.

  4. tyres in redditch
    June 13, 2010 | 10:24 am

    As nitrogen diffuses at a slower rate than air, tyres inflated with nitrogen will maintain the correct pressure for longer than those inflated with compressed air, thereby reducing the number of pressure checks required. Stable tyre pressures result in increased fuel economy along with better road handling, improved tyre grip and extended life and performance.

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