Properly inflated tires are crucial for your vehicle’s safe and functional performance. However, there are different ways you can bring them to the correct psi. Apart from compressed air-filled tires, you can also have your tires filled with nitrogen.
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But, why is putting nitrogen in tires so popular? Let’s look at everything you need to know about the benefits of nitrogen-filled tires! This is your guide to nitrogen tires!
Basically, nitrogen tires are filled with pure nitrogen, instead of or in addition to air. Adding dry nitrogen to your tires comes with multiple benefits. Furthermore, when you see green caps on tires, it usually means that they are inflated with N2.
What else do you need to know? A lot.
However, first, let’s talk about the science of nitrogen in tires.
The Science Behind Nitrogen-Filled Tires
Tires with nitrogen in them offer some benefits. But, how is this achieved?
All tires are prone to heat build-up during their everyday driving, which leads to minimal air pressure loss. It is normal for tires to lose 1-2 psi/month from regular driving. This is because temperature changes affect tire pressure in the long run. So, how is this possible?
When the temperature rises, air pressure expands. This causes it to push against the tire. As tires are not completely airtight, they will let minimal pressure escape, reducing psi levels in the process. This is where tires filled with nitrogen help.
N2 has larger, slow-moving molecules. Therefore, nitrogen-inflated tires decrease the amount of psi leaving the tires during their regular performance, as this gas takes longer to expand. For this reason, they are able to handle higher temperature conditions and more driving pressure than regular tires.
What else do nitrogen-filled tires offer? Let’s discuss the pros and cons of nitrogen in tires. Why use nitrogen in tires?
THE PROS AND CONS OF NITROGEN IN TIRES
Why use nitrogen in tires? Or another question we could ask is “Does nitrogen in tires do anything?”
It is said that the benefits of nitrogen-filled tires are better as opposed to normal air. While both are perfectly fine options for maintaining proper tire pressure, this alternative to air in tires comes with its pros.
Prevents Wheel Corrosion
Topping proper tire pressure levels with nitrogen will help significantly decrease the possibility of wheel corrosion. This is because N2 is a dry gas and these nitrogen molecules reduce moisture inside the tire.
Therefore, nitrogen helps prevent wheel rusting better than dry air does. Moisture inside the tire causes rust to form on the rim, which will ruin its performance and durability.
Prevents Tire Rot
By avoiding moisture build-up inside the tires, nitrogen also helps to prevent dry rot. Dry rot happens when the tire loses its oils, but can be accelerated by moisture trapped inside the tire.
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Tire wear is also optimized in this manner. Temperature changes do not create pressure accumulation, which ensures slow and even wear as the tire is kept cool. This promotes a longer tire life.
A tire filled with nitrogen loses air pressure slower, lowering the possibility of the vehicle driving on underinflated tires. It avoids irregular and premature treadwear. However, you can also prevent this issue by checking inflation pressure levels regularly, even when they are nitrogen-fill tires.
Slower Loss of Tire Pressure
Tire air loss is normal. But, there is a difference between nitrogen and compressed air tires. You will need a nitrogen refill later, as N2 molecules move slower. When they warm up, minimal tire pressures leave car tires through their rubber.
Tires with nitrogen in them lose less psi throughout the month. However, the difference over a year is not enough to justify filling everyday tires with nitrogen.
Better Gas Mileage
Rolling resistance can also be affected. Pressure build-up along the rubber increases rolling resistance, which ruins the vehicle’s fuel efficiency.
Since nitrogen tires prevent heat accumulation, they offer better fuel economy for a longer period. To ensure the longevity of this benefit, proper tire pressure levels need to be maintained. This includes regular tire maintenance.
Nitrogen vs. Air in Tires – Does it Actually Make a Difference?
When it comes to N2 vs. air tires, the difference for everyday driving is minimal.
Generally speaking, psi levels decrease during the tire’s regular use. Air-filled tires lose about 1-2 psi/month. With nitrogen-filled tires, that loss is lower. The problem is that in the long run, over the course of a year, that difference is minimal – about 1.3 psi.
Nitrogen tire benefits are minuscule in everyday conditions. For such drivers, spending extra at the nitrogen fill stations is not worth it.
CAN YOU FILL GREEN VALVE STEM TIRES WITH AIR?
Yes, because air has nitrogen in it as well. When you fill your tires with compressed air, you are also adding nitrogen. Air consists of 79% of nitrogen and only 21% of oxygen. This N2 level is enough for it to protect the tire and provide benefits. For everyday drivers and commuters more is not necessary.
WHAT DOES A GREEN VALVE STEM CAP MEAN?
A green cap on tire valve means that the tire is filled with tire gas, or in other words nitrogen. It is also called premium air for tires. Tires sold with green valve stems are sold topped off with nitrogen. If you wish to keep the tire pressure filled with N2, you will need to visit a nitrogen pump for tires to refill it.
IS NITROGEN IN TIRES A GIMMICK THEN?
Based on our previous statements, the advantages of nitrogen in tires are not worth it for the average driver. But, if this is true then why is nitrogen used in tires? Nitrogen-filled tires offer exceptional performance for racing vehicles! In racing circles, visiting a nitrogen tire refill station is definitely worth it.
HOW MUCH IS IT TO PUT AIR IN TIRES?
At most auto service centers, checking the tire pressure should be free. However, actually filling up tires will cost about $1-2. You can purchase a tire pressure compressor and do the process at home. Even portable ones are available on the market, which you can take with you on longer trips (they can be a life-saver).
Still, topping of your tires with air is cheaper compared to nitrogen. So, why do people put nitrogen in tires if it is more expensive?
The Main Reason to Fill Your Tire with Nitrogen is Racing
Tire pressure increases as the tires get hot, which quickly happens during their racing applications. Racing vehicles equipped with nitrogen tires perform better. Nitrogen in the tires keeps them cool and prevents heat accumulation throughout the performance. As a result, they will guarantee safer high-speed durability.
On the other hand, if you don’t own a racing car, but really want nitrogen-filled tires, don’t let us stop you. If you get a new car, have the cash to spend on tire maintenance, and live near a nitrogen air fill station, go for it.
Make Sure to Check Inflation Pressure Regularly
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Checking tire pressure levels often is important. No matter whether you have air- or nitrogen-filled tires on your vehicle, regular air pressure inspections will make sure the tire’s lifespan is not shortened.
There is a myth about tires with green caps on valve stem not needing refills. That is not true. Checking and following through with tire nitrogen inflation is also crucial. While their pressure loss is slower, vehicle owners will still need to add pressure to the tires every other month (approximately).
Not following through with this will increase treadwear, ruin fuel economy, cause loss of traction, and damage its controllability.
TIRE NITROGEN CONVERSION
First, what is nitrogen conversion for tires actually?
With nitrogen conversion, tires are filled and deflated multiple times. This is in order to successfully remove all air from the tire. A good nitrogen tire service will convert tires to about 93-95% of nitrogen inflation. The advantages of nitrogen-filled tires are only visible when at these numbers.
There is no difference between psi levels with nitrogen- and air-filled tires. Drivers will need to fill up their tires to the recommended psi with either option.
Where to Get Nitrogen for Tires?
How to fill tires with nitrogen? You visit a tire shop!
The best practice is to have nitrogen tires installed, refilled, deflated, etc. at your local tire shop. Before filling tires with nitrogen, the air in them will need to be removed. For this reason, getting professional help would be ideal.
Ideally, you will also go back to the same place to refill the tires with N2. However, if the TPMS lights up, do not wait – mixing air and N2 is better than driving on underinflated tires.
WHERE DO YOU GET NITROGEN?
Sadly, most of us cannot fill tires with nitrogen at home. Try searching for “N2 air near me” or “nitrogen pump near me” in your browser and see where the closest nitrogen filling station is located. Keep in mind in order to actually enjoy nitrogen benefits, the tires will need to be regularly refilled and you will need to continue buying nitrogen for tires.
How Much Does it Cost to Put N2 in Tires?
Purchasing a new vehicle with nitrogen-filled tires will be between $70-$180. On the other hand, if you wish to have the tires filled with N2 later since they will need to deflate them, it will be about $30/tire. Refills are cheaper, as they are around $5-$7/tire. However, this is needed every 2-3 months.
DO NEW CARS COME WITH NITROGEN-FILLED TIRES?
While it is definitely not true for all new cars, some vehicles are sold with nitro air tires. These cars will have green caps on their valve stems, which indicate that the tire is topped off with N2. Of course, drivers can fill these tires with air, which will just dilute the nitrogen.
Can You Put Regular Air in Nitrogen Tires?
The simple answer: Yes, you can.
However, let us explain! How can you put air in nitrogen tires?
Air consists of various gasses. It mainly has nitrogen and oxygen in it. More precisely, air contains 79% nitrogen and 21% oxygen.
Therefore, if tires are inflated with air, instead of tire nitrogen, we will just dilute the nitrogen levels in the tire. Doing this, will not cause any issues as tires inflated in such a manner will still maintain their consistent pressure.
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