Nitrogen in Tires

Racing cars use it, so do aircraft's and even the space shuttle. So why shouldn’t you use nitrogen to fill your tires? There is no reason why not, but is it worth the trouble and expense? Let’s look at both sides of the argument. The believers say:

Using nitrogen in tires removes the oxygen, water vapor and other gases present in “ordinary” air. Nitrogen is made up of the biggest molecules in “ordinary” air and so the amount of seepage through the rubber body of the tire is reduced. Proper inflation is maintained longer.
This is important because most people do not check their tire pressure as often as they should. Correct tire pressure results in less tire wear, better mileage and improved car handling.
Filling nitrogen in tires removes the impurities present in the air that can degrade the life of the rubber the tires are made of.
Nitrogen is less affected by heat and will reduce heat build up in the tires.
Nitrogen is an inter gas and will not burn, lessening the fire risk in case of an accident.

The doubters say:

Nitrogen makes up 78% of “ordinary” air. So does filling only nitrogen in tires make any great difference?

Most of the seepage that occurs from tires is either through the valve or from around the rim edge and not through the rubber, so the thicker nitrogen molecules really make no difference.

Encouraging people to check the tire pressure less often than they do will result in less attention being given to the tires and consequently less chance a problem being detected in time.

Tire wear occurs due to use. The lower amount of impurities resulting in filling nitrogen in tires is of little or no consequence. Other factors will end the life of a tire before the impurities do.

Modern tires are designed to operate at elevated temperatures, so the minimal advantage of marginally lower heat buildup is of no importance.

A car is used in the open. If a fire occurs, there is enough oxygen in the atmosphere to feed the fire. Having a little less in the tire will make no difference.

Nitrogen pumps are hard to find. The normal driver, when he notices the pressure is low, will fill his tires from the nearest pump, negating even the marginal benefits of using only nitrogen in tires.

It can cost up to $10 to fill nitrogen in a tire. For the very minor benefits nitrogen offers, it does not make economic sense. However some places have no charge for a nitrogen fill, like Costco if you have a membership.

So the choice is yours. Is the cost and trouble of filling nitrogen in tires worth it?

Author Notes:

David Parker contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.buying-tires.com.