Nitrogen vs. Air in Tires, Which Is Better, Disadvantages

If you came to find out about the differences between nitrogen vs. air in tires, Principle Volvo Cars has you covered. Our master tech (and racecar driver) is ready to take you through all the details of this hot topic so that you can decide if a nitro-fill upgrade is right for you and your vehicle. No matter which gas you choose to use to fill your tires, make sure that your shop's tire & auto service specials come with 100% replacement coverage on select tires, just like we offer. More on that below.

Tires Filled With Nitrogen vs. Air 101

Where does the topic of nitrogen vs. air in tires come from anyway? To better understand any potential benefits of putting air in tires with nitrogen, we need to take a quick look at the evolution of the wheel itself. The modern tire/wheel as we know it is designed to be a more resilient mobility feature against any unforeseen change in a road's surface. If only the early pioneers had a flexible rubber wheel & tire. Fewer of them would have broken down on the side of the trail during westward expansion.

With durability at the top of wheel makers' minds, steel (and sometimes leather) driving surfaces were nailed to the wheel. This helped, but wheels were still pretty rigid. Eventually, wheel-makers affixed solid rubber tires around wood wagon wheels. By the mid-1800s, air-filled tires were introduced on bicycles. By 1895, the "pneumatic tire" found its way onto the first race cars to accommodate the performance & durability needed by heavier vehicles at speed. Air-filled tires are still used today, and filling technology has evolved right along with them. The question is, "Is this new technology worth it?"

N₂ VS. O₂. Which Filling Gas Is Right for You?

Over the last ten years, we've seen more and more car tires filled with nitrogen. But why? Isn’t air air? Yes and no. Nitrogen has always been the filling gas of choice in heavy equipment like earth-moving machinery, airplanes, and the space shuttle. Those extreme use cases caught the attention of race car teams, and now nitrogen is used almost exclusively in race cars. Let's weigh in on the pros and cons of why you might (or might not) want air in tires with nitrogen.

The Benefits Of Nitrogen vs. Air In Tires

Nitrogen is a larger molecule than oxygen. This property allows it to remain inside a tire for longer periods. With tires inflated to & remaining at their target pressure, you can see improvements in fuel economy, steering, handling, comfort, braking, & more.

The Disadvantages Of Nitrogen vs. Air In Tires

Availability is a possible issue here. If you have tires filled with nitrogen vs. air, you might be at a loss when it comes time to air up on a road trip. Nitrogen is more expensive than oxygen, and many shops off the beaten path will be hard-pressed to carry it.

Filling Car Tires Nitrogen vs. Air: A Buyers Guide

In some states, many gas stations are required to let you use the air pump for free when you fill up with fuel. That's not the case with nitrogen (if it’s even available). When you have to pay to air up your tires with normal oxygen, you typically use the change in your pocket to make it happen. And those few quarters cover your entire set of wheels & tires. You can expect to pay up to $20/tire with nitrogen.

What Reddit Users Say About Nitrogen vs. Air in Tires

Reddit is a great place to go for candid and unbiased opinions on everything from consumer products to everyday dilemmas. If you're stuck on the age-old debate between nitrogen vs. air in tires, Reddit users have already hashed this out across many subreddit forums. As you'll see from some of the reviews included below, it seems the consensus is that nitrogen does better with heavy-duty vehicles that put more weight and strain on tires.

As a larger molecule than oxygen, nitrogen has a longer "shelf life" inside tires, helping airplanes, machinery, and space shuttles maintain better efficiency. On the other side of deciding between nitrogen vs. air in tires, Reddit users point out that oxygen is more than sufficient for handling everyday driving. While it's true you can mix nitrogen and oxygen, doing so renders the nitrogen less potent and, therefore, less effective inside a tire. At the end of the day, both nitrogen and oxygen are effective options, but there is no need to spend extra money on the more expensive air type when it comes to reinflating the tires for your luxury Volvo car or SUV.

jberd45

"The molecule is larger, so it won't permeate through the pores in the rubber of the tire. Upside it that your tires won't lose as much air over time, like if you have a motorcycle that sits over winter."

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saash95

"Honestly, it’s been a lot less hassle for me at least. When I bought this car the tires were already filled with nitrogen, so it’s not something I chose, but I’ll say the winter months have been a breeze. Tire pressure changes are minimal; first two winters I had the car the tire pressure light came on once each, this winter it didn’t come on at all (and yes I had some seriously cold days/nights)."

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ChokingTermite

"Because pure nitrogen doesn’t expand/ contract as easily as atmospheric “Air” thusly your tire pressure will stay fairly stable during changes to ambient temperature. Unlike “Air” which fluctuates easily. For instance, a 20 degree drop in temperature could lose you some PSI. "

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Nitrogen vs. Air In Tires - Can You Mix & Match?

The short answer is yes. But should you? No. Not if you can help it. Let's face it; if you're on a road trip and need to air up a nitro-filled tire with oxygen, you can do it safely. Contrary to myths floating around out there, mixing them will go unnoticed to you. Over the long haul, however, the oxygen will reduce the effectiveness of the nitrogen almost completely. Oxygen will eventually release water, and water will dissolve nitrogen.

Expert Opinion

The air we breathe is a cocktail of elements; it's not just oxygen. It'll do the job well enough in your tires, but why settle for "well enough?" With pure nitrogen, the general instabilities of natural air are avoided. This stable element is part of the air we breathe. It can be extracted and added to your tires as pure nitrogen gas, which, as you may have guessed, is a more stable option than plain old air. Nitrogen-filled tires will maintain their pressure more effectively and can give you a slightly better, more efficient ride. Using normal air, though, is more affordable.

Bryan Barton, General Manager

More Nitrogen vs. Air In Tires FAQs

Our Volvo car service center is open early and closes late for your convenience. We've even got generous availability for you on Saturday. Contact one of our knowledgeable service advisors for an appointment or chat more about this topic. Until then, here's a recap of some FAQs that we see a lot of here at our dealership.

Which Is Better Nitrogen or Air In Tires?

That depends on your goals as a driver and why what type of vehicle you drive. If you're the type of driver that's relentlessly in search of premium parts & materials, then nitrogen-filled tires should be on your list. There are clear, measured benefits to using nitrogen. Outside of the cost, pound for pound, nitrogen is the better of these two "ideal gasses."

Can You Fill A Tire With Air When Nitrogen Is In It?

You sure can. These gasses are in the same chemical family, known as "ideal gasses." Filling your tires with both causes no harm other than the reduced effectiveness that nitrogen provides over time.

What Are The Disadvantages Of Nitrogen Filled Tires?

There are no downsides to filling your tires with nitrogen vs. oxygen. The only thing to consider is the relative availability of nitro-filling stations across the country. Gas stations and shops do not regularly carry nitro-fill tanks, so for the purists out there, mixing gasses when you air up might be inevitable.

A Recap of Nitrogen vs. Air in Tires

The goal of filling a tire with gas is performance, comfort, and product resilience. Both gasses (nitrogen and oxygen) will get the job done on almost equal footing, with nitrogen being the better of the two. If you take your vehicles to the extreme or are at least curious enough to try it out for yourself, why not give it a shot? Use our car parts coupons the next time you shop for eligible tires including complimentary road hazard coverage. Make sure to tell your friends in parts that the team at the shop sent 'ya!

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