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

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.

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.