Nitrogen Inflated Tyres

[10ClarionSt]

I recently had a new tyre fitted and didn't notice till I got home that the invoice said Nitrogen inflation. The fitter never said they were going to do this. Checking on the AA web site, they don't recommend Nitrogen inflation. What if I need to top it up at some point? Can I just use a normal air line? If not, where can I top up with Nitrogen?

[tonyav]

Is your other three tyres inflated with nitrogen ?, I would let it out if I were you and inflate it with air.

[gingejbee]

Is there much difference? Air's 80% nitrogen, after all.

[jake-the-peg]

One of the ATS garages did this to me once - they got told off! They haven't done it since

no problem topping up with air - it's just that it's such a marginal advantage over air that it's silly!

It's basically a marketing ploy - something they thought they cculd sell you - after all formula 1 cars do it must be good!

It will make no difference to you at all

[vulcan42]

As jake-the-peg says, a marketing ploy, which has trickled down from the aircraft industry where it does make sense.
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/safety/filling-tyres-with-nitrogen.html

[Teddio]

The rate at which oxygen molecules diffuse through rubber's polymer chains is greater than that of the larger nitrogen molecules.
Nitrogen is a relatively inert gas and corrosion to the metal wheel or degradation of the tyre's inner wall will be minimal.
However tyre degradation invariable occurs to the outside of the tyre which is exposed to the air, water, salt and sunlight.
Costco fill their tyres with pure dry nitrogen but for normal road-going vehicles the benefits are negligible.