Nitrogen vs. Air Filled Tires – TRUTH or HYPE

We all know the importance of maintaining the right air pressure in your tires. It’s so important that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) now requires Tire Pressure Monitoring systems in all light vehicles. But, how does tire pressure work for nitrogen vs. air-filled tires? Can I put air in a nitrogen-filled tire if I’m running low? Springfield Acura is here to walk through the basics of nitrogen-filled tires and the long list of benefits.

What is Nitrogen Anyway?

What is Nitrogen you ask? Nitrogen is a DRY light gas that doesn’t burn. The air we breathe is made up of 78% nitrogen. Because it’s chemically stable, nitrogen is a high-quality and safe choice for your tires. And we’re not the only ones who think so. You might be surprised to hear that most commercial vehicles, military aircrafts, Formula 1, NASCAR, and Indy cars also use it!

What are the Benefits of Nitrogen-Filled Tires?

Because nitrogen is non-flammable and does support combustion, it greatly reduces the risk of excessive heat build-up in your tires. On average, nitrogen-filled tires run consistently 20% cooler than air-filled. The benefits don’t stop there. As you know, properly inflated tires deliver the best fuel economy. Combine that with the fact nitrogen inflated tires run cooler, and the result is an improvement of two to three miles per gallon (4% on average).

Let’s break it down in a real world example. If you have a 4% increase in fuel economy, a vehicle with an average MPG of 20 mpg can save approximately 2.5 gallons per week. Based on 40 miles at 3.89 per gallon, that’s a saving of more than $500 per year!

And if that’s not enough for you, here are just a few more benefits of choosing nitrogen over the alternatives:

    • Nitrogen maintains pressure better than conventional air.
    • Nitrogen keeps the tire 20% cooler.
    • Nitrogen-filled tires use less fuel.
    • Nitrogen prolongs the life of your tires.
    • Tests show that nitrogen reduces tire failure by as much as 80%.
    • Nitrogen improves handling and performance.

</ul

Can I Put Air in a Nitrogen-Filled Tire?

Yes. While you should prioritize finding a nitrogen tire refill station if possible, there’s no harm in topping off your tires with regular air. It might be the best option if you need to get your air pressure up in a hurry. Keep in mind that this will dilute the nitrogen in your tires. That means you won’t get the full impact of the benefits listed above.

Do Tires Filled with Nitrogen Lose Pressure in the Cold?

Yes, just like air-filled tires, nitrogen-filled tires will also lose pressure in the cold. You can expect to lose around 2 percent pressure for every 10 degrees that the temperature drops. That’s why it’s crucial to continue to check your air pressure every month, especially during the cold months of the year in Union County and Staten Island.

Get Premium Tire Service at Springfield Acura

Our specially trained Acura Accelerated Service Technician Teams work hard to keep your car in mint condition on the Bridgewater roads, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us for more information about tire care. You can contact us online or schedule an appointment today. We even offer complimentary multi-point inspections with car washes included, so keep us in mind for all your service and maintenance needs in Springfield Township.