Nitrogen (N2) makes up the a large part of the air that we breathe. The next most common component of air is oxygen (O2). Together N2 and O2 make up approximately 99 percent of the air. This is the air we traditionally compress and use to inflate tires.

Since N2 is a larger molecule it cannot escape as easily as oxygen through the carcass of a tire (rubber tire wall). A tire filled with Nitrogen maintains its proper pressure approximately three times longer than tires filled with compressed air.

Oxygen in a tire promotes oxidation of the tire carcass and corrodes wheels. A tire carcass filled with traditional compressed air ages from the inside-out. Nitrogen does not react with the carcass or the wheels. Nitrogen filled tires reduce tire heat and decreasing rolling resistance thereby increasing fuel economy.

Inflating a tire with Nitrogen is safer to use. Mass transportation companies fill their tires with N2 for added fire and explosion safety. Nitrogen has been used in tires for many years on aircraft, military vehicles, off road trucks, and race cars.