Nitrogen Filled Tires
#21
12-29-2006, 02:45 AM
RE: Nitrogen Filled Tires
I just picked up the Feb. issue of Men's Health and a reader wrote in askingif it was ok toput nitrogen in his car tires and here is the response:
"It can. Nitrogen has been used in race-car and airplane tires for years. The colorless, odorless gas keeps tires at the proper pressure longer, according to a report by the Institute of Transportation Studies. Nitrogen molecules are larger, so the gas permeates rubber three to four times slower than compressed air does. Twenty-five percent of drivers ride on under-inflated tires, according to a tire industry survey. The Department of Energy says maintaining the right pressure improves gas milage by almost 5 percent, saving you 10 cents a gallon. Nitrogen is a good winter option, since temperature change has little effect on it unlike standard air, which drops a pound per square inch for each 10 degrees F drop in temperature.
Some tire retailers (try getnitrogen.org for a list of dealers in your area) will keep your tires filled with nitrogen for free if you buy from them. Otherwise, the gas can run anywhere from $3 to $10 per tire. And yes, you can top it off with air."
"It can. Nitrogen has been used in race-car and airplane tires for years. The colorless, odorless gas keeps tires at the proper pressure longer, according to a report by the Institute of Transportation Studies. Nitrogen molecules are larger, so the gas permeates rubber three to four times slower than compressed air does. Twenty-five percent of drivers ride on under-inflated tires, according to a tire industry survey. The Department of Energy says maintaining the right pressure improves gas milage by almost 5 percent, saving you 10 cents a gallon. Nitrogen is a good winter option, since temperature change has little effect on it unlike standard air, which drops a pound per square inch for each 10 degrees F drop in temperature.
Some tire retailers (try getnitrogen.org for a list of dealers in your area) will keep your tires filled with nitrogen for free if you buy from them. Otherwise, the gas can run anywhere from $3 to $10 per tire. And yes, you can top it off with air."
