Nitrogen Vs Compressed Air Filled Tires - what you need to know

First off - regardless of what’s in your tire: the benefits of proper tire pressure are numerous. Keeping the correct air pressure in your tires helps them last longer, helps your car handle better, and could even help maximize your fuel economy. Under/over-inflated tires are more difficult to handle, and increase your risk of a tire blowout.
Nitrogen has become a popular choice for many drivers. The most notable advantage of nitrogen-filled tires deals with tire pressure, which is crucial for keeping your tires in good shape.
Now, there's nothing wrong with keeping your tires inflated with air. After all, drivers have been using compressed air successfully for years! Compressed air is easy to find and often free.
So by understanding the differences between the two can help you make an informed decision.
#yourhomegarage #tires #nitrogen
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Disclaimer: Due to factors beyond the control of Andrew Persaud and YOUR HOME GARAGE, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. Andrew Persaud and YOUR HOME GARAGE assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. Andrew Persaud and YOUR HOME GARAGE recommends safe practices when working on vehicles and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Andrew Persaud and YOUR HOME GARAGE, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Andrew Persaud and YOUR HOME GARAGE.

[@SkepticalCaveman]

Since oxygen escapes the tire faster, then the nitrogen concentration actually increases over time. Even if you refill it with air, the air inside the tire has slightly less oxygen than the outside air.

[@noriokushi-dn7nl]

I first heard of filling tires with nitrogen at age 11 (1966) when reading about the soon to be opened Montreal Metro using nitrogen instead of air in their tires. Being Intimately involved with bicycles, to motorcycles, to 4-wheelers, to 18-wheelers, thanks to your video, 57 years later, I finally understand what it's all about.

[@YourHomeGarage]

I used to live in Montreal (NDG) and used to love going on the Metro. It was smooth and quiet with those tires.

[@ktms1188]

Nitrogen is kind of a gimmick for daily drivers -BUT- it's also very nice for tires that experience high temperature swings being it is more dense than air and therefore maintains a more stable pressure. I usually just fill mine at Costco since it's free and is actually very nice for trailers and Rv's or racing tires with extreme temperature swings. It leaks out much slower since it's denser than air and is nice for trailers that sit for a bit. It's why when you purchase an RV or Trailer, the tires are typically nitrogen-filled since they will sit for long periods of time.

[@Coonazz791]

Not only that, but for small trailers that have much smaller tires, those tires rotate much faster which causes more heat and will have much higher psi variations. But even with that, it’s just not worth the money unless you do have somewhere to add nitrogen for free like at Costco.

[@TheCsanders]

I have sold Nitrogen generators for many applications since 1993. I have sold over 1500 N2 tire filling systems as well. This video is a great explanation of both sides of the air vs N2 debate. My machines deflate and fill each tire twice to insure 96% purity in the tire. Machines are set at 99% purity on the outlet. If this process is done correctly you, you will see very little loss of pressure for 12 months. The reason car dealers like the product is that Nitrogen vs Air keeps the tire lights from coming on with temperature change. No one likes a dashboard light. In my opinion, $10 a tire it is worth it. Above that price it is questionable. The largest tractor trailer fleet in the USA Wal-Mart converted to Nitrogen a few years back reporting millions of dollars saved in fuel mileage, blowouts, and tire longevity.

[@RESISTAGE]

$10 for tire is a lot of money. not worth messing with. tire longevity? what? a whole lot of 5 mile difference? again not worth the trouble. been using air and will continue doing so for free.

[@Coonazz791]

Tbh, as a truck driver, Wal-mart didn’t save money because of switching to nitrogen. They lost money because their drivers don’t regularly check their tire pressures. I’ve been driving for 20 years and I’ve never had a blowout on my truck because I keep up on my tire pressure. Trailers are a different story because if multiple drivers before me pulled those trailers with low tire pressure and I fill them, then the tires are already weakened because of excessive heat cause by the heavy loads we haul.

[@neilduncan8657]

I work on HVAC systems. Vacuum pumps and nitrogen are commonly used. When a tire is mounted, the air inside is 78% nitrogen. In reality the tire would need to be pulled into a vacuum (remove the air) and then the tire filled with nitrogen. If not, there still is other gasses besides nitrogen in the tire.

[@YourHomeGarage]

Totally agree that the tire will have other gases besides nitrogen if it’s not done properly. And honestly, it’s only a small percentage of people that would care deeply about this and it’s likely because they track their car or do other performance activities beyond the common driver. Outside of the “cycling the nitrogen” and heating up the tire and rim to get a better nitrogen percentage - I’ll have to look into the vacuum method. I would think the vacuum could create an integrity issue with the tire walls and then there’s atmosphere pressure to contend with. But you gave me something to look into - thank you.

[@Vacublaster1]

@@YourHomeGarage Why, what is the point, just a lot of effort for no benefit.

[@MicahFunk]

I've given this some thought too. The tire couldn't have a vacuum pulled on it otherwise it would break the bead seal. BUT if the tire were placed in a vacuum chamber and had a nitrogen fill hose connected to it, a vacuum could be pulled on the interior and exterior of the tire so to not cause the tire to collapse under negative pressure. Then once the chamber is under total vacuum the nitrogen hose can be used to begin the fill process. Of course there would have to be a valve put in the fill line to switch from vacuum to nitrogen fill.

[@MrKentaroMotoPI]

Correct ✅

[@Ravi-wm8yw]

Or like most rims, you have two valve stems, one for filling and the other for purge

[@S_Paoli]

My BMW dealer recommended filling the tires with nitrogen when I took delivery of the car last week. They gave me a discount and offered it to me at only USD$299. I declined because I prefer to flush 299 $1 bills down the drain on my own time. 😍

[@YourHomeGarage]

Wow - that is pricey! But I agree with you declining.

[@yeffblanco]

Costco quoted me $14, today, for four car tires, exchange air for Nitrogen. Smart to decline BMW offer.

[@officialmultie]

Good stuff. Cheers mate!

[@westfield90]

Thank you very informative

[@ppsroofingcontracting5055]

With tire beads in my tires I notice temperature and humidity changes from day to day. I'm switching to nitrogen to lessen the effects of fluctuations in temperature and humidity. It will help a little bit

[@AutoGleamTruths]

Very interesting mate 👌

[@edinny8001]

Excellent job, extremely helpful, clearly spoken, concise information with nothing extra!

[@ArniAtlason]

Nice explanation thank you.

[@nandn3001]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHTRiKmDocqJepIsi=uuhp_h3WmwBAs7Da

[@codemiesterbeats]

Pretty accurate information 👍 There is a benefit however it is relatively small and not in my opinion worth any additional cost if it is free go for it. The biggest help would be increasing your attention to the tire pressure and wear.

[@vinnygoombatts1458]

Didn't know I needed to take a college course on how to fill a damn tire....

[@Vacublaster1]

You don't, just go and fill with air, nitrogen is a scam.

[@vinnygoombatts1458]

@@Vacublaster1 That's what I did after I researched it it showed that there is nowhere to get nitrogen anyway. So most people just put air in it. No big deal. But you're right.

[@vinnygoombatts1458]

yup. that's what I did

[@touchmeharder1737]

​@@vinnygoombatts1458 lol wait till you find out that the air we breathe is 78% nitrogen

[@mattheweburns]

7:03 I always wondered if altitude mattered with tire pressure, it can affect carburetors… I know that my ears pop when I go down the mountain, and out west driving up the Rockies, a Pringles can that was sealed exploded, but how much does that matter inside of a tire? And would you benefit just as much considering cost to just use dry air instead?

[@Vacublaster1]

The title of this video should be Nitrogen in tyres, I've changed my mind and it is nothing to do with the tyre shop I just bought, honest

[@motoarzan791]

THIS IS WHAT YOU DO. On a hot summer day (+25C), go to a freezer distribution warehouse (-15C). Check pressure at 32psi. Then put the tires in the freezer warehouse and come back a couple hours later and tell us what the new tire pressure is!!! You see, in northern climates of the US, Canada an Europe, a "40deg Celsius" temperature differential is common between an early "cold" spring day and a late "warm spring day in a short time span of only maybe 2-3months, and easily that differential from season to season. Not a problem if you check and adjust your pressure every month or so but in reality most people almost never check and adjust their tire pressure let alone even season to season.

[@Coonazz791]

So true. This can be an issue with desert driving as well here in the US. There can be a +30°F temp swing from morning to noon. As a trucker, I will run with a little less PSI in the morning because I know by the afternoon my tires will be much hotter than they were in the morning. Not only that, but I have to worry about some pretty dramatic altitude changes as well. It’s a pain to keep up with, but tires for big rigs aren’t cheap and a little bit of extra work can have a huge payoff in the long run.

[@sterlingpaul3004]

I love my nitrogen filled tires. The pressure never comes down or at least it seems that way. I do refill but about once every six months.😊

[@hectorcarmona9583]

We have two cars. We use air and its about the same for us.

[@666dynomax]

Wait you said never... Six mo is the same as air dude

[@Coonazz791]

If you have anything that you have to fill with nitrogen or air more often, then you probably have a hole letting it out. The slight differences in how often you have to add air or nitrogen is so small, it’s a waste of money to use nitrogen. The only time it’s worth using nitrogen is if you’re racing and that’s only if you do it the right way.

[@666dynomax]

you realize thats really the same as a regular air filled tire right

[@sterlingpaul3004]

You all realize why every major car dealership uses nitrogen in all the vehicles on their lot???? Ask any dealership manager and they will tell you that they do not want to be spending a bunch of time filling up tires. I can't remember the last time that I filled mine and they hold at 34 psi.

[@SigXman]

Air is free. Just maintain tire psi as any normal person. Don’t over complicate or add additional expense to something that isn’t necessary. But if you should want the best. I have filtered air. It’s about $350 per tire to air up. Pm me.

[@Elsolocup]

As a tire tech I can tell you that nitrogen will leak out of ur bead slower because the particle is a bit bigger But it doesn't really do shit

[@anthonyp6462]

I still didn't get the final outcome of this video. Is it worth it or not? For me, I just bought a 2023 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon JLU 4xe. It had nitrogen fill. Anyone who does even a modicum of off-roading knows that the tires need to be aired down to achieve a better contact patch and to achieve a smoother ride over obstacles. Why a dealership would put nitrogen into a tire that will be purposely deflated and reinflated many times over is absurd. Add to the fact that the dealership charges $100.00 for nitrogen fill is a crime. I told the dealership to either swap out the tires with air filled or I'd walk away from the deal. They threw the nitrogen filled tires in (seems it wasn't worth the "$100.00" loss to lose a sale). However, to your point about inherent tire pressure loss due to "sitting," a service advisor told me that they put nitrogen fill in new cars since they often sit for months before being sold. Having nitrogen decreases the amount of labor required to routinely check and reinflate air filled tires. And, he said, the dealership gets an added bump in profit if the customer doesn't question the cost of the nitrogen fill.

[@carperdiem8754]

What about the fact that nitrogen is inert. I wonder if it would prevent interior tire deterioration on collectible cars that may have 10+ year old tires

[@Coonazz791]

I wouldn’t think so, especially since tires aren’t made to last that long. Even if it did, the elements on the outside of the tire would be worse either way and deteriorate the outside of the tire at a faster rate. Long story short, if you have a vehicle with 10 year old tires on it, I would suggest not driving on them. Except to take it to the shop to get new tires.

[@DebraJohnson-ws7ni]

So if you have a tire that has 80% nitrogen in it, that was filled by air and then you continue to refill or top off the pressure with nitrogen won't you eventually have a tire that will reach closer to 100% nitrogen if you are constantly losing the air molecules more than the nitrogen molecules?

[@jman24961]

The kinetic diameter of nitrogen is only 5% greater than oxygen so I’m not really buying that there is a noticeable difference in pressure loss. You might have somewhat slower oxidation of the rubber from the inside but I seriously doubt it’s worth it until I’m shown data that demonstrate otherwise.

[@walikhan-nk9bi]

What’s your view on nitrogen filled on EV tires. I see a good improvement on mileage after I filled with nitrogen.

[@YourHomeGarage]

Whether nitrogen or air filled really won’t affect mileage. Now nitrogen molecules are bigger than normal air molecules, so it is harder for them to leak out which means a tire filled with nitrogen will maintain air pressure longer. To get pure nitrogen in tires is a process, therefore a lot of garages and DIY’ers are just sticking with normal air - which in turn is rich with nitrogen. The main premise and goal with either one is to maintain proper pressure.

[@kenholt8297]

nitrogen filled tires doesn't improve gas mileage in the least!!

[@kenholt8297]

@@YourHomeGarage exactly!👍

[@utubesanjay]

Why do you need to point at the nozzle of tire for everything? :)

[@YourHomeGarage]

Yeah - I guess, I did do that a lot! lol

[@mfeldheim]

You can fill tyres with pure Nitrogen. The molecules are bigger and maintain pressure better

[@Coonazz791]

Doesn’t matter unless you’re racing.

[@jefft650]

What's with the Blue Glove???????

[@catkeys6911]

It seems that a lot of people don't realize that *nitrogen is basically air* without oxygen. And it's MOSTLY what air is! So if you fill your tires with pure nitrogen, you're making almost NO DIFFERENCE to the tire. It sounds like an argument is being made that oxygen is bad for rubber. But there's so little of it in an inflated tire compared to the amount of nitrogen that would naturally get pumped into it, that if you're being told otherwise, you're being taken for a sucker.

[@ruthgrover3335]

I use the nitrogen for tires in my car. More miles, more years and easy to ride with it!

[@Coonazz791]

None of that has anything to do with using nitrogen in your tires. Keeping proper inflation on your tires does, no matter if it’s nitrogen or air.

[@KaayJaay]

Free nitrogen self serve at Costco 🇺🇸 USA

[@naturelover2292]

Really? Is it located by the gas pumps I have never noticed it

[@KaayJaay]

@@naturelover2292 ​​⁠ Not by Costco gas - by Tire Center. 2 Do It Yourself nitrogen for all

[@tommysheal]

@@naturelover2292 usually at those parking spaces by the costco tire center

[@cardboy151]

The air we breathe is already 70% nitrogen.

[@floppinfish]

78%

[@Vacublaster1]

78%

[@johnathansmith1003]

It's clearly worth the $500 the dealerships charge.

[@gooddragon22]

I have experienced that 3 PSI drop in 10 days

[@YourHomeGarage]

That’s too much under normal conditions. I would check for a possible leak.

[@Vacublaster1]

Then you have what is known in the trade as a puncture...

[@jacobgill4808]

Compressed air is 80% nitrogen all including the air we breathe is 80% nitrogen

[@7x754]

Only benefit is the cool green tire valve 😶

[@MrWaterboi74]

What about a smoother ride?...

[@Coonazz791]

No notable difference.

[@Vacublaster1]

As far as I can ascertain, the only reason to fill tyres with Nitrogen is to line the pockets of the tyre shop owner and NOTHING more. There are NO tangible benefits to the regular car owner by filling their tyres with nitrogen, None. So, please do NOT tell me that there are any benefits when you know as well as anyone else that there are not.

[@kenholt8297]

Actually, the one benefit is 🤔

[@badcholesterol]

Hell, you can get 78% nitrogen for free by using standard air

[@matthewwatson9733]

@@badcholesterol this is the best comment ever…. Lol people are so stupid these days

[@wcovey25]

It's because in the early 2000s big tire companies paid for tons of positive research on nitrogen but most of these studies have since been debunked, proving the point that they know what they are doing. They tried to buy statistics about how it's better, they forced their racing teams to use it for marketing, and now they successfully won because most people buying new cars don't know that it's a scam. They think because everyone else does it and it exists that it must be good. I've seen some crazy claims from dealerships about improved steering feel, bump compliance, all sorts of claims. Total bullshit

[@tylertheguy4749]

Costco has free nitrogen pumps

[@Leviweyhrich]

Biggest scam in the automotive industry

[@wcovey25]

Yep, there is no reason an air filled tire would perform differently than a nitrogen filled tire at the same psi in theoretical physics. When you look at studies that support nitrogen filled tires they are sponsored by brands/companies profiting off nitrogen, which is where most of this crap comes from. These same companies sponsor racing teams and force them to use it, giving this guy a stupid argument of "all racing teams use nitrogen" but in reality they don't use nitrogen that much in racing, they mostly use dry air. The only gas that really has an advantage is helium, but it leaks too quickly and is way more expensive.

[@AZdirtdog]

I use argon, it’s heavier then nitrogen and gives you better traction lol

[@SynthD]

I use hydrogen. What could go wrong?

[@PeteKowalsky]

Let me save you the 9:55. NO. Not worth it for your daily driver. Because - physics. Also, yes, if you're driving an F1 car (LOL) or high-performance vehicle at high speeds, then yes, maybe it's worth it (why are you watching this video if you're already driving that hypercar tho bruh?)

[@Sammasambuddha]

Will I receive my PhD in Tires in the mail?

[@YourHomeGarage]

Faxing is more reliable - lol

[@kenholt8297]

I did in fact receive an online degree in automotive repair! I got a doctrate in alternative fuels ⛽️ 💩💩💨💨

[@dwnmddl]

Adding 99% nitrogen is only a 21% increase in nitrogen mass within the tire. Oxygen and other grace elements in the atmosphere will permeate into the tire within a matter of days.

[@JamesAutoDude]

I recommend watching from 3:19 forward... He explains what it really is...

[@qaz92]

Genius

[@nandn3001]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHTRiKmDocqJepIsi=uuhp_h3WmwBAs7Da

[@MrKentaroMotoPI]

Nitrogen molecules are smaller than Oxygen due to lower molecular mass. The change in pressure with temperature is the same due to the mass difference balancing the molecular weight difference. Compressed air should be as dry as compressed nitrogen. A water separator is used in either case.

[@kenholt8297]

nitrogen molecules are bigger than oxygen molecules!

[@MrKentaroMotoPI]

@@kenholt8297 The nitrogen electron cloud diameter is larger than oxygen, but the free molecular flow (tire leak) is governed by the nucleus diameter, and thus size, and mass. Specifically, the leakage flow rate is inversely proportional to the molecular mass square root. Oxygen has a larger molecular mass, so it has a lower leakage rate. Xenon would be the lowest leaking pure-substance gas for your tire. Hydrogen, no surprise, would be the highest. It's a bitch to seal. It can even penetrate many metals, especially at high temperature.

[@MrKentaroMotoPI]

@@dBakaj No it doesn't. See my statement above. You can derive that conclusion using the perfect gas equation for a constant volume process. The pressure ratio is equal to the temperature ratio regardless of the molecular mass. Nitrogen is desirable for race applications because it is available, inexpensively, in compact, leased, high-pressure bottles. Dryness is guaranteed, since it is a prerequisite for the air separation process.

[@MrKentaroMotoPI]

@@dBakaj Everything I said is technically flawless. You clearly have no grasp of the physics involved. However, if you wish to continue this exchange, I will take great pleasure in humiliating you.

[@MrKentaroMotoPI]

@@dBakaj more tidbits of irrelevant information. Futile. Instead, try researching the physics I presented.

[@jjatyou2b]

bad sound or speech quality