Should I Fill my Tyres with Nitrogen?

Quick Answer: Filling your tyres with nitrogen can be beneficial as it maintains pressure longer, reduces the risk of oxidation, and can improve fuel efficiency and tyre lifespan. However, regular air is also effective if you maintain proper tyre pressure. If you prefer convenience and potentially lower maintenance, nitrogen might be worth considering. For most drivers, though, regular air is sufficient with consistent pressure checks.

In this blog, we’ll take a more detailed look at nitrogen filled tyres – including why people might prefer it compared to air filled tyres – as well as some of the drawbacks that can come from tyres filled with nitrogen.

Should I Fill My Tyres with Nitrogen?

There are pros and cons to consider when deciding whether to inflate your tyres with nitrogen compared to regular compressed air (which is mostly nitrogen and oxygen and a little carbon dioxide). Here’s a breakdown to help you decide:

Benefits of Nitrogen:

• Slower Pressure Loss: Nitrogen molecules are larger than oxygen molecules, so they permeate through the tyre rubber at a slower rate. This can help maintain a proper inflation pressure for a longer period compared to air.
• Reduced Temperature Fluctuations: Nitrogen is less susceptible to temperature changes than air. This can minimize pressure fluctuations inside the car tyres as it heats up while driving or cools down at night. (Though, the overall impact on temperature might be small)
• Potentially Less Corrosion: Since there’s no moisture in pure nitrogen, it might theoretically reduce internal corrosion of the rim. (Regular air also contains minimal moisture)
• Possible Improved Fuel Economy: Since maintaining the correct tyres inflation pressure ensures the correct fuel economy, nitrogen gas filled tyres might avoid slight reductions in fuel consumption (although it will be minimal as you should make sure you have the correct tyre pressures anyway)

Drawbacks of Nitrogen:

• Limited Availability and Cost: Nitrogen inflation is not be available at every tyre shop, and is more expensive than using compressed air, which is free.
• Topping Up: If you need to top up your tyre pressure occasionally, you’ll likely be using compressed air, which can slightly dilute the nitrogen benefits. However, most pressure loss happens gradually, so topping up shouldn’t be too frequent.
• Not a Silver Bullet: Proper tyre maintenance, including regular proper tyres pressure checks and rotations, is still crucial for safety and optimal tyre life. Nitrogen inflation won’t eliminate the need for these practices.

Final Thought on Nitrogen Inflated Tyres

Nitrogen inflation can offer some benefits in terms of maintaining consistent pressure and potentially reducing pressure fluctuations; however, these benefits might be relatively small for typical everyday driving.

Here are some additional factors to consider:

• Driving Conditions: If you do a lot of highway driving or experience significant temperature swings, nitrogen inflation might offer a slight advantage.
• Convenience: Consider the availability of nitrogen inflation in your area and the cost compared to compressed air.
• Peace of Mind: If maintaining consistent tyre pressure is a concern for you, nitrogen inflation might provide some additional assurance.

Ultimately, the decision depends on your individual needs and priorities. If you’re not sure, using compressed air for inflation and maintaining proper tyre care practices is perfectly acceptable for most drivers.