Fill your tires with nitrogen for increased longevity, fuel efficiency

Nitrogen in tires can improve your fuel economy by 10 percent and the lifetime of your tires by as much as 50 percent. Nitrogen tire inflation can also reduce the risk of tire oxidation and the corrosion of your wheel.

This is because nitrogen is a dry, inert gas, meaning it doesn’t contain water vapor and doesn’t react with the environment around it. Unlike oxygen, nitrogen won’t oxidize or rust the steel components of your tire and wheel.

Yes, it’s true. Compressed air is comprised of about 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen and 1% trace gasses. The problem is, however, that oxygen is a highly reactive gas.

Compressed air often contains water vapor, which will ”oxidize” metal parts of your tire system, reducing the functional capability of your tires. And, because oxygen gas molecules are smaller than nitrogen gas molecules, they escape—or ”permeate”—the outer rubber of your tires more quickly. As such, tires containing compressed air tend to lose about 1-3 PSI per month due to oxygen permeation, leaving the slow-escaping nitrogen behind.

Tires inflated with pure nitrogen tend to stay inflated longer—3-4 times as long. Nitrogen doesn’t retain water, and it doesn’t escape from the tire as quickly.

1. Your tires will stay inflated longer
   As mentioned above, nitrogen won’t escape as quickly from your tires as compressed air, allowing your tires inflated for about 3-4 times longer than with just compressed air.
2. Your gas mileage will increase
   When your tires are under-inflated, your fuel economy worsens due to roll resistance. Nitrogen filled tires will stay inflated longer, improving your gas mileage.
   
3. Nitrogen reduces the chance of wheel corrosion
   Because nitrogen doesn’t carry water vapor, your tires won’t corrode as quickly as air-filled tires.
   
4. Tire pressures won’t fluctuate with temperature changes
   Nitrogen isn’t as prone to volume changes in changing temperatures. As such, your tire pressure won’t fluctuate quite as much.
5. Your tires will last longer
   Because your tires will stay inflated longer, your tires aren’t as prone to wear and tear. Nitrogen in tires can improve your tire life by as much as 50 percent.

In St. Louis, come to the nearest Telle Tire & Auto Center to get your tires filled with nitrogen. We’ve been St. Louis’ tire experts for over 80 years. So come to our Richmond Heights location to get your tires filled with nitrogen, and learn why we’re the most trusted mechanics in St. Louis.