An acquaintance of mine is owner of a chain of tire dealerships. They sell nitrogen fill as a way, allegedly, to obtain more uniform pressures across the range of tire temperatures.
Air is a tad over 78% nitrogen already. The "pure" nitrogen they use to fill tires isn't 100% nitrogen. (He's not sure what percentage it is.)
I have asked him if there is any real benefit. His answer? NOBODY can detect the difference between a tire filled with 78% nitrogen and one filled with 90%+ nitrogen. There are no scientific studies indicating that it produces any performance benefit. The weight difference per tire is easier to calculate than to weigh -- less than the weight of the dust on a clean wheel. He's not entirely sure there's a significant difference between the nitrogen content of air and the nitrogen content of the nitrogen they sell. His view: It's a rip-off. AND HE TELLS HIS CUSTOMERS THIS! They buy anyway.
Why does he sell it? Because people demand it. And his stores would lose credibility with the aftermarket / custom market if he didn't offer it.
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