 Nitrogen Air In Tires: What's The Benefit Of Nitrogen?
Posted by carsandtrucks on Friday, November 30 @ 12:32:03 PST
I have written a couple of articles pointing out the importance of maintaining the pressure in your tires. It not only is a safety issue, but an economic issue as low tire pressure creates rolling resistance robbing you of fuel mileage. Recently some tire service centers, new car dealers, and repair shops have been offering to fill their customer’s tires with Nitrogen rather then the traditional compressed air. I have seen this service cost anywhere from $2.00 per tire to as much as $10.00 per tire. What is the benefit you get for paying for this service? Nitrogen molecules are larger then oxygen molecules meaning nitrogen will seep out of the tire slower then oxygen. So you will maintain the proper tire inflation pressures longer meaning better fuel economy and safety. At least that is the theory. I question the need for nitrogen filled tires when air is made up of 78% nitrogen anyway. There are arguments that if nitrogen filled tires aren’t the way to go then why
do race cars use it? The simple answer is they are traveling at speeds close to 200 mph, and tire pressures are carefully monitored as a means of achieving ultimate speeds and handling. To me the idea of filling your tires with nitrogen follows along the lines of bottled tap water. If it marketed well people will buy it. A nitrogen machine will cost a shop in the neighborhood of $7000.00. It is apparent that a lot of tires will have to be filled to see a return on investment. If you do buy nitrogen service you will get cool looking green valve stem caps. These are so anyone providing future tire service will know there is nitrogen in your tires.
For me, I will rely on my 10.00 tire pressure gauge, and 20.00 air compressors to maintain my air pressure once a month, and my water will come from the tap.
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