Have you noticed some garages and Tyres in Holmes Chapel shops claiming to fill nitrogen into your car tyre instead of normal air? You may question whether this is yet another unnecessary service or whether something concrete exists. The primary benefit of nitrogen is that it is dry unlike the normal air that has moisture that if temperature changes cause pressure changes. This moisture in normal air is what causes most pressure fluctuations you’ve noticed on your tyres over the years. But does the high price tag for nitrogen really make a difference to every day motorists on the UK roads?

What's Different About Nitrogen?

Ordinary air that we draw breath (and usually employ in our tyres) consists of:

• About 78% nitrogen
• About 21% oxygen
• Small amounts of other gases
• Water vapour (moisture)

Pure nitrogen filling for tyres usually consist of 95-98% of nitrogen, whereas the main difference is the removal of oxygen and water vapour.

Advantages of Nitrogen to Your Tyres

More Stable Pressure

More stable tyre pressure is the greatest advantage that nitrogen has. Here's why:

• Nitrogen molecules are heavier than oxygen molecules and they are therefore unlikely to leak through the tyre rubber.
• Nitrogen is dry with almost absolutely no moisture in it unlike compressed air.
• Without moisture in your tyres pressure will remain relatively constant at changing temperatures.

For UK drivers this implies lower pressure variations on cold winter mornings or warm afternoons or during the cold spring and hot summer days.

Better Fuel Economy

Your fuel economy can increase by 3-5% with right inflated tyres. Because nitrogen helps to hold correct pressure for a considerably longer time:

• Your car will save fuel.
• You’ll save money at the petrol station.
• Your driving will be greener

Given today’s high prices of fuel in the UK, what is little in savings compounded over time makes a huge difference.

Extended Tyre Life

The wear of tyres is higher if they have less pressure. By maintaining proper pressure:

• Your tyres will last longer
• The tread will wear evenly.
• You will have to change tyres more rarely.

It makes economic sense to extend the lives of tyres in the UK which can cost £300-£600 for a set of quality tyres.

Reduced Risk of Oxidation

The ordinary air contains oxygen which can:

• Cause oxidation inside your tyres
• Gradually break down the rubber
• May cause the oxidation of wheel rims leading to deterioration.

Nitrogen plays a major role in reducing this oxidation process thereby maintaining both tyres and rims in the long run.

More Predictable Handling

Consistent tyre pressure means:

• Improved distance handling on winding UK’s country roads
• Better braking performance
• Improved safety in emergency situations
• Your car performs according to the manufacturer’s desire when up to date with the tyre pressure.

Is Nitrogen Worth It?

The question of whether nitrogen is worth it or not, depends on your particular situation.

Likely Worth It If:

You do not routinely check your tyre pressure

If you are like most UK drivers who do not check the tyre pressure often for a while, nitrogen will keep inflation correct for a long while.

You drive a high-performance car 

Numerous sports cars and luxury cars enjoy the more uniform performance nitrogen offers.

You cover high mileage

Commuters covering long distances, or those travelling many miles each year will receive more gains from the enhanced fuel economy and tyre life.

You leave your car unused for long hours at a stretch

Should your vehicle be parked in the garage for weeks on end, you are likely to benefit from nitrogen's slower leakage rate that fulfills pressure better than normal air.

Probably Not Worth It If:

You're diligent about tyre maintenance

If you are of the habit of regularly checking tyre pressure, say every couple of weeks, you may not see huge differences.

You're on a tight budget

Nitrogen fills run anything in the UK from £2-£10 per tyre and may not be worth the money if you’re watching your pennies.

Your nitrogen refills are limited in number

If you have to drive a long distance out of your way for nitrogen top-ups then the convenience factor is lost.

The Bottom Line

If nitrogen isn’t a panacea for eliminating the necessity for routine tyre maintenance, in some ways, it can make your tyres more reliable and pretty much constant, requiring less attention. For many UK drivers, especially those that do not involve themselves in checking their tyres as frequently as required, nitrogen may be a viable solution for enhancing safety, performance as well as economy with little effort.

Whether the cost is worthwhile or not it depends on your driver habits and how watchful you are of tyre maintenance. Much like many other car-related decisions, compare the promises of fuel and tyre-life savings up to the costs of the nitrogen fills to decide whether it makes sense for you.