Filling Tyres With Nitrogen: Is It Worth It?

As we’re all aware, inflating tyres is crucial in maintaining grip, handling, and overall vehicle safety, especially in challenging road conditions.

This maintenance process involves you filling your tyres with normal air.

While it might sound odd to call the air used for tyre inflation “normal,” there’s a reason I’m making the distinction.

That reason is nitrogen – a gas that’s been gaining popularity as an alternative for filling tyres, thanks to its unique benefits.

Unlike regular compressed air, which contains a mix of oxygen, nitrogen, and other gases, nitrogen inflation offers advantages such as improved pressure retention, reduced moisture buildup, and potentially enhanced tyre longevity.

But what exactly makes nitrogen different, and is it truly worth the switch? Let’s explore.

What is nitrogen?

This might be the first time I’ve gotten scientific on one of our articles!

Simply put, nitrogen is a gas that makes up approximately 78% of the air we breathe.

It’s dry, stable, and doesn’t react as easily with other elements – especially moisture.

That’s why it’s often used in industries where consistency and durability matter, like aviation and motorsports.

When it comes to tyres, nitrogen’s biggest selling point is that it leaks out more slowly than regular air, helping maintain pressure for a little longer.

But does that really make a difference for everyday drivers? Let’s break it down.

Why use nitrogen in tyres?

Well like we just touched upon, nitrogen helps your tyres maintain pressure for longer.

Regular air contains oxygen, which is made up of smaller molecules that can gradually seep through the rubber, causing your tyre pressure to drop over time.

Nitrogen, on the other hand, is a little less prone to escaping, meaning your tyres stay properly inflated for longer periods.

This can slightly improve fuel efficiency, tyre lifespan, and overall performance.

Another key benefit is moisture reduction – compressed air contains humidity, which can lead to internal corrosion of wheels and fluctuating tyre pressures due to temperature changes.

Since nitrogen is dry and doesn’t retain moisture, it helps keep your tyres more stable, reducing the risk of sudden pressure changes that could affect handling.

This is why many motorsport racing vehicles use nitrogen to fill their tyres, as the gas doesn’t expand with heat.

That said, nitrogen filled tyres aren’t some magic solution that eliminates the need for regular checks – you still need to monitor your tyre pressure and top them up when needed.

Should I use nitrogen to fill my tyres?

Whilst we’ve just went over the benefits of filling your tyres with nitrogen, these benefits are only slightly advantageous to the way your tyres perform.

We have mentioned the fact that nitrogen filled tyres offer better pressure retention, reduced moisture, and more stable inflation.

However, for the average driver, these benefits are relatively minor compared to the added cost and effort required to maintain nitrogen inflation.

While nitrogen can help keep your tyres inflated for longer, the reality is that regularly checking and maintaining your tyre pressure with standard air achieves almost the same results – without the extra expense.

The cost of nitrogen refills, along with the inconvenience of finding a refill station, often outweighs the practical benefits for everyday road users.

Unless you’re driving a high-performance vehicle, managing a fleet, or frequently experiencing extreme temperature changes, nitrogen simply isn’t a necessity.

As long as you keep an eye on your tyre pressure and ensure they’re properly inflated – whether with nitrogen or regular air – you’ll still enjoy safe, efficient, and long-lasting tyre performance.

Is there nitrogen tyre filling near me?

In the case of you wanting to reap the benefits of nitrogen tyres, your local garage might provide you with a nitrogen inflation service.

Many tyre shops, automotive service centres, and some petrol stations offer nitrogen tyre filling, but availability can vary depending on your location.

If you're unsure where to find one, a quick online search for “nitrogen tyre filling near me” should point you in the right direction.

Some larger chain garages and tyre retailers may also provide nitrogen inflation, either as a standalone service or as part of a tyre purchase package.

Keep in mind that if you can’t find a nitrogen refill station nearby, it’s completely fine to top up your tyres with regular air.

While this will dilute the nitrogen content, it won’t cause any harm to your tyres or vehicle performance.

Filling your tyres with nitrogen – yes, or no?

While nitrogen offers slight benefits like better pressure retention and reduced moisture, the difference for everyday drivers is minimal.

The added cost and hassle of finding nitrogen refills often outweigh these small advantages.

If your tyres already have nitrogen, great – but if not, there’s no need to switch.

Regular air, combined with proper tyre maintenance, will keep your tyres performing just as well.

Unless you drive in extreme conditions or motorsports, sticking with standard air is the more practical and cost-effective choice.