Nitrogen vs. Compressed Air: Which One to Use for Your Portland Tires?

An increasing number of car owners are opting to fill up their tires with nitrogen. As an alternative to compressed air, nitrogen tire inflation is gaining popularity across the country not only among high performance car owners, but also among average consumers. Should you follow suit and use nitrogen on your tires the next time you purchase a new set from your trusted Portland tires supplier?

Like all things, nitrogen tire inflation comes with its own set of benefits and drawbacks. Below, we give you a comparison of the areas both nitrogen and compressed air excel in.

Tire Pressure

A steadier pressure inside your tires is arguably the biggest advantage you can get from nitrogen tire inflation. Nitrogen has larger molecules than air that hardly go through the microscopic holes in the rubber of tires. With nitrogen escaping out of your tires at a slower rate than air, you get more constant air pressure in your tires.

Fuel Economy

Constant tire pressure comes with many advantages, the first of which is better fuel economy. Underinflated tires can reduce average fuel consumption by as much as 0.3 percent for every single drop in pounds per square inch (psi). Conversely, nitrogen-filled tires are accompanied by 0.6 to 3 percent improvement in gas mileage.

Tire and Wheel Condition

Nitrogen also allows for lesser wear and tear in both your tires and wheels, and this results in longer lifespan for both. Regular air contains water vapor, which expands and contracts with the change in outside temperature. This causes your tires to underinflate when the weather is cold and overinflate when it’s warm.

Water vapor can also cause rusting in the wheel’s inner portion. It also allows for the retention of moisture inside your tires, which can cause oxidation in the internal tire wall casing. Nitrogen doesn’t contain water, so tire pressure fluctuations and degradation issues are a non-concern.

Cost

Nitrogen tire inflation costs anywhere from $5 to $10, depending on the provider. While there are gas stations that charge a couple of dollars for a pump of air, most just offer them for free.

Practicality vs. Prestige

So there you have it. Hopefully the information here has made it clear which type of inflation is right for you. As you can see, nitrogen does present certain advantages over normal tire inflation. Whether or not these advantages suit you depends on how you use your car. That said, nitrogen is advisable for your car if:

●     You don’t use your car very often and it spends most of its time parked in your garage.

●     You own a handful of cars that you seldom drive at great distances.

●     You have to store your vehicle for a long period of time.

●     You own high performance vehicle/s.

If you use your car in your daily commute, nitrogen doesn’t really have any practical use for you, and you’re better off using traditional compressed air instead. Regardless of your choice of gas though, be sure to check your tire pressure regularly. Once or twice a month is usually enough. For quality tires, purchase yours from trusted Portland tires suppliers, such as McLoughlin Chevy.

About Mcloughlin Chevrolet Automotive Service: As a GM certified automotive service center, Mcloughlin Chevy is Oregon’s go-to resource for the best automotive car services, new or used vehicles, auto parts, and comprehensive information about the latest Chevy car models. Whether you want to purchase a new or pre-owned unit or simply want to experience our world-class auto repair and maintenance approach, you are welcome to stop by and check us out.

"We will meet or beat any advertised competitors prices on tires, so, come visit us, you will be happy you did! "

- Monty Eby (Service Director) -

Source:    

Is Nitrogen Better than Air in Car Tires?, PopularMechanics.com