Should I Fill My Tires with Nitrogen? | Pros and Cons

In recent years, we’ve seen a new fad in the tire industry: nitrogen tires. Proponents argue that nitro reduces air loss, boosts your fuel economy, and is better for your tires. Detractors say the benefits aren’t worth the extra cost. So, should you fill your tires with Nitrogen the next time you need air? In the sections below, we’ll break down the pros and cons of filling your tires with nitrogen while answering some of the common questions we see surrounding nitrogen tires. If you’d like to learn more about nitro tires, visit a Bob Moore Service Center in OKC. 

Why Use Nitrogen Tires?

So what’s the appeal of inflating your tires with nitrogen instead of air? Proponents of nitrogen tires argue that using nitrogen helps to prevent your tires from losing pressure as temperatures cool. Your tires expand and contract with temperature changes, and every 6 degrees Celsius shift can cause your tires to gain or lose 1 PSI. The air we breathe and use for inflating tires is 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and 1% other gases. Pure nitrogen doesn’t support moisture or combustion, which makes it more stable than normal air and reduces the PSI shift you see as temperatures change. In theory, this has a trickle-down effect, helping boost fuel economy, reduce rolling resistance, and improve your safety while driving. 

Nitrogen Filled Tires: Pros and Cons

The argument in favor of nitrogen tires is all about maintaining proper tire pressure and the benefits that it provides. Detractors of nitrogen tires argue that while there are benefits to filling your tires with nitrogen, they’re marginal at best, and not worth the extra cost. So, how much better do nitrogen tires hold up? We have studies from Consumer Reports and the NHTSA that can help us determine whether the benefits justify the cost. In their 12-month study across 31 tire models, Consumer Reports found minimal differences between air and nitrogen tires, with the nitro tires losing marginally less air than normal tires. The NHTSA found that nitrogen tires reduce tire degradation by reducing oxidation, but tires wear out faster than they oxidize, which doesn’t do much for the average consumer. 

In our opinion, there are times when nitrogen tires make sense, especially in performance or heavy-duty applications. However, for most folks, the benefits of nitrogen tires are so marginal that they’re not worth the extra cost or effort. Why pay $5 a tire for nitrogen tires and go to a service center when you could fill your tires at a gas station for free? 

Can You Put Air in Nitrogen Tires?

If you choose to go with nitrogen, you’ll want to make sure your provider removes the existing air from your tires; that way, you don’t have any contamination from the previous air. While you can inflate your nitrogen tires with normal air, it defeats the point. Adding normal air will make the nitrogen in your tires less effective over time. That said, the best thing you can do for your vehicle and your safety is to always ensure you’re driving on properly inflated tires. 

Get Your Tires Filled with Bob Moore Auto Group

Whether you opt to fill your tires with Nitrogen or good old-fashioned air, Bob Moore Auto Group can help. Visit one of our 15 service centers in OKC, Edmond, or Norman to get your tires filled today.