Frequently Asked Questions

What is Nitrogen?

• Nitrogen is a gas that makes up about 78% of the air we breathe.
• Nitrogen is a dry, inert, colorless and odorless gas; it is nonflammable and noncorrosive.

What are the expected benefits of nitrogen-filled tires?
High-purity nitrogen helps maintain proper tire pressure longer than tires inflated with conventional air.

Why? Because nitrogen molecules are larger than oxygen molecules, they are less permeable and stay in the tire longer. Filling tires with nitrogen can help maintain recommended tire pressure 60% longer than compressed air.

Increased safety and performance
Maintaining optimal tire pressure helps maximize steering and braking capability, and also helps reduce the possibility of blowouts and other tire failures that could lead to accidents.

Lower fuel consumption
Driving on properly inflated tires reduces rolling resistance, helping to maximize fuel efficiency.

Passenger cars can achieve approximately a 3.3 % savings. In a car that consumes 20 mpg and is driven 40 miles/day, the savings are ~2.5 gallons/week.
At $3.00/gallon, savings can add up to more than $100.00 a year. (Source: www.fueleconomy.gov, U.S. Dept. of Energy and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)

Extended tire life
Properly inflated tires will not wear as fast on the shoulders from underinflation or in the center due to overinflation. The use of high-purity nitrogen can also help reduce the aging process inside the tire caused by oxygen in air-filled tires. The higher the nitrogen purity, the lower the amount of oxygen in the tire.

Convenience
With high-purity nitrogen tire inflation, you will not need to refill your tires as frequently because they'll stay properly inflated longer.

Is filling tires with nitrogen dangerous?
No, it's actually extremely safe. Nitrogen is an inert, dry, nonflammable gas. It does not support combustion, so it will not burn. In fact, nitrogen's safety is one of the reasons nitrogen is used to fill tires on vehicles that perform in extreme conditions, such as race cars, military vehicles, and commercial and military airplanes.

Is filling tires with nitrogen harmful for the environment?
No. Nitrogen is a natural, inert gas that makes up 78% of the air we breathe. Using nitrogen to fill tires supports a better environment by saving fuel, cutting down on carbon dioxide emissions, and reducing the number of tires to be disposed of annually.

Who uses nitrogen to fill tires today?
Race cars: All race cars and motorcycles use nitrogen to more accurately monitor tire pressure and to eliminate the explosive properties of oxygen.

Commercial airlines/U.S. military aircraft: The Federal Aviation Administration requires nitrogen in many aircraft tires because it reduces the potential for vapor freezing at high altitudes and decreases the potential for explosions.

Fleets and passenger cars around the world: Nitrogen tire filling is quickly becoming widely accepted around the world on passenger cars and truck fleets.

Why haven't I heard of nitrogen tire inflation before?
In the past, nitrogen tire inflation was expensive because nitrogen came in liquid form and included the purchase of a cylinder. Now, nitrogen can be generated on-site at prices that are accessible for passenger car drivers and profitable for auto service centers.

Do I still need to check the pressure on nitrogen filled tires regularly or refill them?
While nitrogen will help you maintain proper tire pressure longer and will remain more constant over temperature changes than compressed air, you should still check your tire pressure on a regular basis as recommended by the manufacturer. Although the need to refill your tires should also be less frequent, you should still refill your tires when they go below the level recommended by the tire manufacturer.

Do I need to buy new tires if I want to switch to nitrogen inflation?
No, nitrogen will work in the tires you already have.

Can air and nitrogen be mixed together?
Yes-You can mix nitrogen and air in a tire. By topping off a nitrogen-filled tire with air, you're just decreasing the effectiveness of the nitrogen in the tires.

Can I refill tires with nitrogen that were originally filled with air?
Yes-Tires can be refilled with nitrogen to get the benefits of nitrogen filling.

Can you get the benefits of nitrogen in any grade of tire?
Yes-All tires will maintain their recommended level of pressure longer when filled with nitrogen.

Will any special equipment be needed on a vehicle in order to switch to nitrogen tire inflation?
No-UltraFill 99+ high-purity nitrogen tire inflation systems were designed to fill standard automobile tires. No changes will need to be made to the vehicle.

Will running a couple of tires on nitrogen and the others on air harm the tires or the vehicle?
No-As long as all tires maintain the proper level of pressure there should be no problems. However, remember that the air-filled tires will lose pressure faster than the nitrogen-filled tires.

Can nitrogen be used on other inflatable objects like motorcycle or bicycle tires, or trailers?
Yes-All inflatable objects that are subject to permeation of air and loss of pressure should benefit from nitrogen inflation.

Will nitrogen affect the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) on a vehicle?
Nitrogen will actually enhance the reliability of a TPMS system by minimizing moisture in the tire. And, you'll have less frequent alerts by the TPMS system because your tires will stay at optimum pressure longer.

Can I use nitrogen in my spare tire?
Yes, it's actually recommended. With nitrogen inflation, your spare tire will maintain adequate pressure longer, so it's more likely that it will be properly inflated at the time you need to use it.

Can I use nitrogen to fill my tires if they contain tire balancing products inside?
Yes. It is generally better to fill nitrogen-inflated tires rather than air-filled tires with balancing powder, beads, or fluids because of the added level of safety an inert gas like nitrogen provides to the inner tire environment. However, you should check with the specific fill product supplier to be sure before using nitrogen.