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Tires are filled with compressed air right? That has been the understanding for a long time now. At least it was until the last few years. New tires are often coming filled with nitrogen instead of the traditional compressed air.
Many companies are touting this development as a way to improve on a car’s gas mileage. The theory is that the nitrogen causes better handling and control and in this manner, saves the consumer any unnecessary fuel usage. These companies are claiming that drivers will save an estimated 5% on gas by using nitrogen to inflate their car’s tires. It sounds good in theory, but how does it hold up in reality?
Advocates of nitrogen inflation have other claims as well. The idea is that nitrogen helps tire pressure stay at the correct levels for a longer period of time. Due to the chemical composition of nitrogen the thought is that tires will stay at a more constant temperature.
This will lengthen the life of the tires by prolonging the viability of the tread. Having to replace tires less often will save you money in the long run and in the short run at the pumps.
Many people like to go with what the professionals are using. If this is the case for you, then nitrogen inflated tires may be just what you are looking for. Nitrogen has long been used by the U.S. military in many of their service vehicles.
The government also makes use of nitrogen in the tires of the space shuttles. Racecar drivers use nitrogen in their racing cars. This practice is used in both Indy races and Nascar.
The drivers claim the nitrogen provides better handling and fewer pit stops due to needing the tires changed. Fuel efficiency has been commented on as well. As a normal driver, with a normal car, the difference may not be as drastic, but the nitrogen option may be something to look into.
For those of you who are environmentally as well as financially concerned, nitrogen filled tires have been reported to save on fuel. This feature of nitrogen could easily help the dire gas price situation.
It may be a relatively small savings, but the reduction in fossil fuel usage would be an asset to the environment and pollution issues. Reducing emissions in the air in any way possible can’t be seen as anything other than a benefit.
The truth of the matter is that for the average driver, nitrogen filled tires won’t make a tremendous difference in fuel efficiency one way or another. It may to a small degree help with a longer life for tires. That is always a way to cut corners in car maintenance expenses.
If you have a need to assist with environmental issues or prefer the performance of your car when the tires are filled with nitrogen, then by all means, use nitrogen over compressed air. The nitrogen isn’t very expensive. If you are expecting a huge savings at the gas pumps, it probably isn’t going to happen.