Is nitrogen in tires worth it?

For everyday driving, the evidence is thin. Consumer Reports found nitrogen-filled tires lost 2.2 psi over a year against 3.5 psi for air, a 1.3 psi difference, and still recommends checking pressure monthly. Free nitrogen, such as with tires Costco installs, costs you nothing.

Can a dealer charge for nitrogen in tires?

A dealer can offer it as an option. In 2024 the FTC and Arizona's attorney general took action against a dealer; their complaint named nitrogen-filled tires among add-ons buyers were allegedly told were required. The FTC's September 2026 pricing guidance for dealers says suggesting an optional add-on is required is not allowed.

Does GM require nitrogen in tires?

No. GM's March 2020 service bulletin on nitrogen, covering its vehicles through the 2020 model year, says GM does not oppose it, expects the customer benefit to be minimal, and says the correct pressure is what matters, whatever the gas.

Can I put regular air in nitrogen-filled tires?

Yes. Air is already mostly nitrogen. GM's bulletin says occasional top-offs with ordinary air negate many of nitrogen's theoretical benefits, which is a reason not to pay extra for it.

What Is Nitrogen? Price and Your Rights

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What it is

The tires are filled with nearly pure nitrogen instead of compressed air. Consumer Reports notes that air is mostly nitrogen anyway. In its test of 31 tire models left outdoors for a year, tires filled with air lost 3.5 psi on average and tires filled with nitrogen lost 2.2 psi, and it concluded that both need a monthly pressure check. General Motors' March 2020 service bulletin on nitrogen, covering GM cars and trucks through the 2020 model year, says GM does not oppose it, but that topping off with ordinary air negates many of its theoretical benefits and the customer benefit is "expected to be minimal." On quotes buyers have shared with us, nitrogen has appeared inside a bundle, for example with window tint and wheel locks, rather than as its own line.

Source: Les Schwab: Are nitrogen-filled tires worth the cost?

What buyers are charged

$400as much as $400, charged as a new-car dealer add-on, Consumer Reports: Just say no to these car dealership extras
$5$5 or more per tire at dealerships and tire shops, Consumer Reports: Should you use nitrogen in car tires? (updated Sep 11, 2026)
$70 to $175a nitrogen fill of new tires at some outlets, per a tire retailer (top-offs $5 to $7 a tire), Les Schwab: Are nitrogen-filled tires worth the cost?
$62.5four tires on a dealer's service menu, plus tax, Published dealer service page on nitrogen tire fill, Subaru dealer

Can the dealer require it?

The FTC's September 2026 guidance for dealers says an optional add-on can't be presented as required, and that includes saying it is already installed. If a dealer requires it, its price belongs in the advertised price. FTC: Automobile Industry Pricing Transparency: FAQs (Sep 2026)

How it's installed: by the dealer. Published dealer service page on nitrogen tire fill, Subaru dealer

Honest take

Can make sense when

If it costs you nothing: Costco, for one, inflates the tires it installs with nitrogen as part of the installation, so you get the slightly slower pressure loss for free.
If you race or track the car, which is the use a tire retailer names for nitrogen.

Worth skipping when

If it is a charge on a new car: Consumer Reports measured a 1.3 psi difference over a full year and says regular air is essentially free.
If you top off with ordinary air at gas stations, which GM's bulletin says negates many of nitrogen's theoretical benefits.
If you are told the manufacturer requires it: GM's bulletin says it does not oppose nitrogen, not that it is required, and says keeping the correct pressure is what matters.

What to say at the dealership

“Is the nitrogen fill required to buy this car, or can you take it and its price off?”
“Can you show me the nitrogen as its own line with its own price, separate from the tint and wheel locks?”
“If the tires already have nitrogen, would you remove the charge, since I plan to top them off with regular air?”

Frequently asked questions

Is nitrogen in tires worth it?: For everyday driving, the evidence is thin. Consumer Reports found nitrogen-filled tires lost 2.2 psi over a year against 3.5 psi for air, a 1.3 psi difference, and still recommends checking pressure monthly. Free nitrogen, such as with tires Costco installs, costs you nothing.
Can a dealer charge for nitrogen in tires?: A dealer can offer it as an option. In 2024 the FTC and Arizona's attorney general took action against a dealer; their complaint named nitrogen-filled tires among add-ons buyers were allegedly told were required. The FTC's September 2026 pricing guidance for dealers says suggesting an optional add-on is required is not allowed.
Does GM require nitrogen in tires?: No. GM's March 2020 service bulletin on nitrogen, covering its vehicles through the 2020 model year, says GM does not oppose it, expects the customer benefit to be minimal, and says the correct pressure is what matters, whatever the gas.
Can I put regular air in nitrogen-filled tires?: Yes. Air is already mostly nitrogen. GM's bulletin says occasional top-offs with ordinary air negate many of nitrogen's theoretical benefits, which is a reason not to pay extra for it.

Every dealer add-on

Sources

Copy of the manufacturer's scheduleLes Schwab: Are nitrogen-filled tires worth the cost?
Dealer documentPublished dealer service page on nitrogen tire fill, Subaru dealer
ReferenceConsumer Reports: Just say no to these car dealership extras
ReferenceConsumer Reports: Should you use nitrogen in car tires? (updated Sep 11, 2026)
ReferenceFTC: Automobile Industry Pricing Transparency: FAQs (Sep 2026)
ManufacturerGM service bulletin 05-03-10-020G: Use of Nitrogen Gas in Tires (Mar 2020, hosted by NHTSA)
Copy of the manufacturer's scheduleCostco Tire Center: the Costco advantage
ReferenceArizona Attorney General and FTC: action against a dealer over add-ons (Aug 15, 2024)

Last reviewed September 30, 2026. Prices are what buyers were charged on real quotes or what the cited sources report, not quotes for your car.

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