Nitrogen Will Save The World

I went out and picked up some new tires for my birthday. While in the shop, I read a brochure that proclaimed, "Fill your tires with nitrogen!"

But why? Here are the three points the pamphlet provided,

"Nitrogen is a larger molecule than Oxygen. Therefore, it cannot escape as easily as oxygen through porous material such as a rubber tire wall."

True, but regular air is 70% Nitrogen, so at best you've managed to slow the escape of 30% of your air.

"Nitrogen is a dry, inert gas. Oxygen in a tire provides unwanted oxidation"

True, but how many of you have tossed your tires because the inside has rotted due to oxidation? Maybe if you didn't drive your car for 50 years that might be a problem.

And my favorite one of all,

"Oxygen is a flammable gas while nitrogen is an extinguishing gas. In a vehicle fire, ruptured air-filled tires fuel the fire. Nitrogen filled tires slow the fire."

Brilliant! As my astute wife pointed out, your vehicle is still on fire.