Should I use Nitrogen or normal air for my car/bike is a question that you might’ve asked at least once in your lifetime. A couple of years ago, we just had normal air and before we knew it, tyre shops started Nitrogen filling stations claiming it was considerably better than the good old normal air. But, are these claims true; is Nitrogen that much better than normal air to justify the nominal premium and does it really work wonders for your tyre life and maintain pressure for a longer time? We answer all these questions and more, to help you choose better.
Why Nitrogen?
First and foremost, the claim that Nitrogen holds pressure for a longer time is factually true. Nitrogen molecules are larger and slower than normal air and hence, in contrast to normal air, nitrogen won’t leak out of your tyres as quickly. Nitrogen runs cooler and does not expand or contract because of temperature changes as much as atmospheric air. For these reasons, Nitrogen is used to fill up aircraft tyres and for motorsports applications. Nitrogen can also reduce unexpected tyre bursts on hot cemented roads at high speeds. Compressed air contains moisture which is not good for tyre life as it degrades the tyre structure over time but then, this is not applicable to normal cars that are used frequently and the impact is very less.
So, in summary, Nitrogen does maintain tyre pressure longer than normal air and suits you if you don’t bother checking your tyre pressures often. Nitrogen is also a good choice if you intend to leave the car idle for a long time and ideal to fill up the tyres with Nitrogen if you are leaving for a long vacation. But in a normal use case, and for an average driver, all of these pros remain more or less the same with normal air and Nitrogen.
Why Normal Air?
You cannot go wrong with filling normal air in your vehicle tyres. It’s easy to find, a tad more affordable, has been around since the invention of tyres, and has proven its worth over the years.
What Really Matters?
Despite the choice of Nitrogen or standard air, what ultimately matters is the right tyre pressure, recommended by your manufacturer. Maintaining proper tyre pressure is the most crucial aspect of tyre care. Underinflating and overinflating can lead to many issues from irregular wear to loss of grip and a noticeable hit in fuel economy and performance of a vehicle. So, the debate between Nitrogen and normal air depends on your use case and availability of nitrogen stations but maintaining the correct tyre pressure should never be overlooked.
Bonus: Is it safe to mix Nitrogen and normal air?
Yes, there is absolutely no issue in mixing Nitrogen with normal air although the pros of Nitrogen will reduce since it is getting mixed with normal air. In fact, regular compressed air contains 78% Nitrogen and around 20% Oxygen. From a safety point of view, there is no hazard or chemical issue in mixing compressed air and Nitrogen. So next time you cannot find Nitrogen but you are in the middle of a road trip with underinflated tyres, go ahead and fill them up with normal air. Always remember, what matters is the right pressure and not the right chemical element.
