Is there any advantage to having your tire dealership fill your new tires with Nitrogen?

Question

Also, since not all gas stations carry nitrogen, can you, simply add oxygen to the tire if it's underinflated?

Answer 1

The difference would be trivial for you. Air is 80% nitrogen. Race cars sometimes use pure nitrogen in the tires because the pressure build-up as the tire heats up is more predictable. With plain old air you have some water vapor and this leads to a less predictable rate of pressure build-up as the tire heats up. Pure nitrogen also has one other minor advantage. It is not reactive. Plan old air contains about 20% oxygen which will react with the rubber inside your tires, but this is trivial.

Answer 2

They have been running air inside car tires for decades.. nitrogen is a money grab. compressed air is something like 70-80% nitrogen already. Its just that there are a few other things in there, like oxygen, so it's rate of expansion can fluctuate slightly. In race teams, they use nitrogen because it is pure and the rate of expansion as the temperature of the tire increases is very consistent. unless you are changing your tire pressure to the half pound for performance reasons and running tire temps of 180 - 240 degrees, you don't need it. Another argument is that nitrogen particles are bigger than oxygen so you loose less pressure over time through the tire. A study indicated that over a 12 month period nitrogren leakes 1.2psi less than air.. but still leaked. So basically it does nothing and don't worry about it. It won't hurt to have 3 and 1.. and as the others need filled, just use air.

Answer 3

Nitrogen is a bigger molecule than oxygen. This makes it more difficult to leak through the pores of the rubber tire. It also keeps the tire cooler while up at speed, because it transfers heat better. Since nitrogen doesn't oxidize, it slows dry-rot from the inside of the tire. I've been using Nitrogen for a while, and I love it.

It's OK to use regular compressed air if you can't get nitrogen to refill your tires. Good luck.

Answer 4

All high flying aircraft use nitrogen in the tires and in the air-oil struts, because the pressure does not change with altitude, heat or cold. Whether you would gain any benefit from using it remains to be seen. Weigh the cost against the benefit of not having to check your tires every time you fill up. Weigh the cost of refilling the tire if you run over a nail and it goes flat.
The primary benefit appears to be the dealer making an extra buck, because in my neck of the woods, no gas stations have nitrogen, and I would have to go to the airport to get some.

Answer 5

Nitrogen is more stable and the change in temperature does not effect the tire pressure. In theory it is a good idea, but it is not worth the additional cost. Just check your tire pressure regularly and you can save the $20-40 for something worthwhile!

Answer 6

people fill their tires with nitrogen because it does not shrink or expand nearly as much as air does under normal driving conditions, and yes you can add normal air to it if your tire is underinflated

Answer 7

nitrogen is designed not to leak out in hot and cold changes in temp keeping your tires at proper inflation,witch results in better fuel economy,its designed not to break down the properties in the rubber compound in your tires meaning longer tire life.

Answer 8

They say it holds more consistant tire pressure. It's supposed to help you get better gas milage with properly inflated tires.
as far as just adding air, I am not sure, don't know anyone with it.

Answer 9

Nahhhhhhh, waste of money

Answer 10

i don't think they are worth the extra cost.