Should You Use Nitrogen in Your Car Tires?

If you want to take care of your car as much as possible, putting nitrogen in your car tires is an inexpensive, effective upgrade to consider. All tires experience air loss over time, as air naturally leaks out due to the porous nature of tires. As tire pressure increases due to weather conditions, the extra pressure pushes air through the pores. Nitrogen molecules are bigger than oxygen, making it harder for them to leak out and helping you maintain a more consistent tire pressure. If you’re considering investing in nitrogen-filled tires, here’s a brief guide detailing what you need to know.

What are the benefits of nitrogen-filled tires?

Most drivers don’t want to deal with any confusion when it comes to filling up their tires, but there can be advantages to considering making the switch to nitrogen, particularly if you drive a heavy-duty vehicle. Here are just a few of the key benefits of nitrogen-filled tires:

• Better tire-pressure retention: Regardless of the age of your tires, the pressure inside will fluctuate over time. Weather conditions, including temperature, humidity and atmospheric pressure, all cause the gas in your tires to expand or contract. It can make it difficult for your tires to keep a consistent air pressure. Nitrogen has a much higher threshold for expanding and contracting, allowing the gas to hold its density much better than standard oxygen. While tire pressure can still fluctuate with nitrogen, it’s at a significantly reduced rate compared to oxygen.
• Enhanced fuel economy: It follows that if you maintain consistent air pressure in your tires, you’ll see enhanced fuel economy over time. As your tires remain inflated with the right air pressure according to the manufacturer’s specifications, you’ll also maintain proper support, which further reduces unnecessary fuel waste.
• Cooler running temperature: Tires can get hot as they meet the pavement and carry the weight of several tons. Since tires become weaker when they’re hot, exposure to heat can make them wear down faster. Nitrogen-filled tires hold up much better to heat, helping you avoid costly problems while prolonging the life of your tires.

Who should consider putting nitrogen in tires?

Making the switch to nitrogen for your tires is relatively inexpensive, and it can be performed in many tire shops. There are certain conditions that are ideal for putting nitrogen in your car tires, including:

• Performance cars: If you’re a car enthusiast who owns a performance vehicle or sports car, nitrogen offers more consistent pressure. Nitrogen has traditionally been used to fill tires for track cars, where exceptional performance is a necessity.
• New cars: If you’re buying a new car with new tires that are being filled for the first time, and if a nitrogen filling tank is close to your home, it could be a smart idea to use nitrogen for your car tires.

While putting nitrogen in your car tires isn’t necessary for your daily driver, it can help you attain steady air pressure in your tires better than standard oxygen. If you’re interested in improving the performance of your car or heavy-duty vehicle, it could be a wise investment. Contact Dana’s Tire Center today to learn more about the advantages of nitrogen-filled tires.

Categorised in: Tires

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