Video Story
Watch VideoNitrogen versus air in tires
Story By: Susan Davies
Source: AP
Tire retailers are offering nitrogen as a substitute for air. Retailers say nitrogen has several advantages. The molecules are larger than oxygen molecules so there's less leakage. Tires stay fully inflated longer and that increases safety as well as gas mileage.
The nitrogen equipment is expensive and can cost a tire retailer $10,000. Most are charging between five and ten dollars per tire. The Fleet Operations Manager for Colorado Springs, Jeff Bowman says the city has looked into using nitrogen in the tires of its forty-five hundred trucks and cars, because the equipment is too expensive has decided against it. He says if drivers are diligent about monitoring their tire pressure, nitrogen isn't necessary.
