by JC Campbell

Created on: February 13, 2008

Making the choice between air and nitrogen when inflating car tires is not a choice most car drivers have considered. Many drivers will have little or no knowledge of the difference between the two and possibly couldn't care less.

The important role our tires play in road safety and handling should never be minimized as it can make the difference between life and death on treacherous road conditions or in the event of braking to avoid accidents.

Essentially, we need tires that have sufficient tread and that are properly inflated.

The question of whether to inflate our tires with air or with nitrogen is probably not one that has given many people sleepless nights. Safe to say, most drivers would not think twice about following their life-long habit of inflating their car tires with free air as opposed to the expensive option, nitrogen.

Are the benefits of nitrogen worth the cost and the trouble? Here is a list of benefits produced by a company who promote the use of nitrogen in preference to air, though it should be remembered that they have a vested interest in the product.

1. Less inflation pressure loss
2. Reduced wheel corrosion
3. Prevents inner-liner rubber deterioration by oxidation
4. Tires run cooler
5. Increases tread life
6. Increases fuel mileage
7. Helps prevent uneven wear

The obvious downside to using nitrogen is twofold. The first is the cost involved to inflate your tires initially and the ongoing cost, even if it will be required less frequently than air as is claimed.
The second problem is availability as nitrogen is not something you will find readily available in every local gas station.

The pros and cons of air and nitrogen are probably minimal to the regular car driver who would probably be dissuaded from using nitrogen based on those two factors alone, cost and availability.
With the spiraling cost of gas, most drivers are searching for ways to cut costs on the road and probably would consider the use of nitrogen as an unnecessary expense.

Assuming nitrogen does result in a longer life for your tires, you would still be left asking if the saving in that area would justify the cost of inflating with nitrogen in the first place.
Perhaps the use of nitrogen in tires is more of an issue for rental cars, long distance trucks and racing cars. For the man or woman about town, free air would seem the best option for all the difference it would make to their driving experience.

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