Nitrogen-filled tires: just what the mechanic ordered?

---

By Russ Handler
Bay News 9 traffic reporter

I recently had my tires filled with nitrogen and the results have been amazing. I am astonished at the increased gas mileage and better handling I have noticed in the last few weeks. It's been amazing.

Commuters, fleet managers, business owners or anyone looking to improve overall vehicle performance and keep maintenance and gas expenses down should consider nitrogen, for several reasons.

Nitrogen is safer

Nitrogen will not cause a vehicle to explode in an accident. NASCAR, Indy racers and many government vehicles use nitrogen and the Federal Aviation Administration requires that commercial airline tires be inflated with nitrogen.

Tires lose air every day. A tire inflated with regular air can lose up to 1.5 PSI (pounds per square inch) in less than a month. But with nitrogen, it can take up to six months or longer for the same loss of tire pressure. The difference is that regular oxygen molecules are smaller then nitrogen molecules. Therefore oxygen molecules seep through the tire seal three to four times faster then nitrogen. Underinflated tires can lead to poor handling, sudden blowouts and poor handling in emergencies. Poorly inflated tires do not properly maintain the "contact patch," which is the area designed to hug the ground for optimal tire safety and performance.

Nitrogen is cheaper

Because nitrogen-filled tires maintain their pressure much longer, they reduce rolling resistance. This means better gas mileage; up to three or more percent better. Because nitrogen-filled tires maintain pressure longer, the risk of shoulder wear from underinflated tires or center wear from overinflated tires is dramatically reduced. Nitrogen-filled tires also reduce oxidization, which occurs when oxygen reacts with high temperatures and pressure and can lead to damage to the tire, belts, inner liners and even tire rims. In fact, some tire manufacturers claim that nitrogen can extend the life of tires up to 25 percent.

Nitrogen can be better for the environment
With better fuel efficiency, fewer toxins are released into the air. If everyone used nitrogen in their tires, there would likely be less of a demand for tires because tire life is extended. Thus, there would be fewer tires manufactured, which would reduce the pressure on the natural resources used in the manufacturing process. Better fuel efficiency would mean less of a demand for fuel, meaning less toxic emissions from fuel-processing facilities.

A few more positive points

It's relatively inexpensive to have tires inflated with nitrogen, I caught a manager's special and got mine done for $19.99. Better yet, I now get free nitrogen for the life of my tires. Therefore, rather then maintaining my tire pressure myself, I have the benefit of a tire professional that will check the pressure and adjust the PSI as need for free and at any time I would like. Over the long run, I am sure this will save me lots of money and time.

Anyone who would like a recommendation on a great place to have your tires filled with nitrogen can email me and I will be happy to send them in the right direction.

Regards, Russ Handler
Contact Russ at russ@russhandler.com

More Bay Area Stories

• FDLE: Condoms, smokes, beer bought on govt's dime
• Weather blog: Anniversary of the nation's worst tornado
• Tampa Bay On Demand's tour of Irish pubs
• Your Web Poll Comments
• Traffic reporter tests Google Maps' new biking routes
• St. Patrick's Day Quiz Wrong Answer
• St. Patrick's Day Quiz Answers
• Do you have 'Luck of the Irish'? St. Patrick's Day QUIZ
• Blog: Chuck asked, and you answered

• Maps and directions
• Airport Information
• Traffic Cameras

• Submit an Event
• Community Events
• Sporting Events
• Entertainment Events
• Spanish Events

Bay News 9 on Demand is free and exclusively available on Bright House Networks digital cable, Channel 342. Here's what's new:

• NEW interactive program guide
• Complete coverage: Nick Hogan arrest
• Catch 47 - Rays of Change special show
• Watch Discovery land
• 2007 Severe Weather Special - Learn about everything from hurricanes to lightning

Select the size text you want to use to view www.baynews9.com from the choices below.

• Listen live
• Employee blogs
• Twitter page

• Breaking alerts
• RSS news feed
• Upload video

Become An Asterisk Hunter!

At Bright House Networks, we prefer to keep things simple.

So the next time you're looking for TV, home phone and Internet service with a 30-day, money-back guarantee, but without the fine print surprises, call

1-866-976-EASY.

Learn more at AsteriskHunters.com.