According to this article, it does affect mileage 1 - 2 % and N gas doesn't migrate from the tires as fast. Here is a reprint from Environmental Resorce Center's webpage (ercweb.com). Look at the 11th paragraph of the article. You can argue with them if you want.
Resist said:
The only advantage to using Nitrogen in tires is, the pressure will not change when the tires heat up during driving. That is one reason why cars that are raced used it. Their pressures are critical at high speeds, so it's important they keep it there during long races.
It has nothing to do with mpg or air escaping from the tires.
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Practical Tips to Save on Gas
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With gas prices going up almost daily, everyone is looking for ways to reduce the impact of the increases on their wallet. There are several easy steps you can take today to increase your gas mileage. Take them all and those high prices might not hurt quite as much. If everyone reduces their gasoline consumption, the price might even drop. So, please forward today’s Environmental Resource Center Tip of the Week to anyone that can
Drive with a Light Foot. Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas. It can lower your gas mileage by 33 percent at highway speeds and by 5 percent around town, which is equivalent to saving $0.11 to $0.73 per gallon. Eliminate jack-rabbit starts. Accelerate slowly when starting from dead stop. Don't push pedal down more than 1/4 of the total foot travel. This allows carburetor to function at peak efficiency. Don’t tailgate and drive at a steady speed. It’s ok to coast down hill.
Observe the Speed Limit. You’ll get the best mileage at about 55 mph. Mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. Each 5 mph over 60 is like paying an additional $0.15 per gallon of gas.
Remove the Junk from Your Car. Empty out your trunk, the back seat, and lighten up as much as possible. An extra 100 lb in your car could reduce your mileage by 2% (or $0.05 a gallon). During cold weather, remove icicles and snow from your car. Up to 100 lb. can be quickly accumulated. Snow and ice can also cause wind resistance that wastes gas.
Avoid Excessive Idling. Turn off the ignition while in the carpool lane or any other time you’ll be stopped for more than one minute.
Use Cruise Control. It will help you maintain a constant speed and can save gas.
Use Overdrive. If your car is equipped with an overdrive gear, it will save gas and reduce engine wear.
Get a Tune-up. As the quality of cars and durability of spark plugs improved, some people stopped getting tune-ups. A poorly tuned car can use up to 25% more gas. Get your car tuned up at least as frequently as recommended by the manufacturer.
Check Your Oxygen Sensor. A faulty oxygen sensor can result in a 40% reduction in mileage.
Replace Your Air Filter. A clogged air filter will reduce air flow and reduce your mileage up to 10%, costing you about $0.25 a gallon.
Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated. Under inflated tires can lower mileage 0.4% for every psi drop. Properly inflated tires are safer and last longer. Fill your tires with nitrogen gas to get even better mileage. Using nitrogen will get you 1 to 2 more miles per gallon and, because nitrogen migrates more slowly from your tires, your tire pressure will remain steady for a longer period of time. Always check the pressure when your tires are cold.
Use the Correct Grade of Motor Oil. If you use 10W-30 oil in a car designed for 5W-30, you’ll waste 1-2% of your gas. Some people swear that using synthetic oil results in better mileage. It’s worth a try.
Drive Less. Here are some ideas: carpool, telecommute, combine trips, eat at home, shop on the internet, take the bus or subway. Get your environmental and safety training without traveling by attending a live webcast.
Consider a Fuel Efficient Car: The next time you are in the market for a car, consider fuel economy as one of the factors in your decision making process. See
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bestworst.shtml for ideas.
Buy Gasoline During the Coolest Time of the Day. Early morning or late evening is best. During these times gasoline is densest. Gas pumps measure volumes of gasoline, not densities of fuel concentration.
Avoid Filling Gas Tank to the Top. Overfilling results in sloshing over and out of tank. Never fill gas tank past the first "click" of fuel nozzle. Close your gas cap tightly.
Close Your Windows. Open car windows cause air drag, reducing your mileage by 10%. Only use the air conditioner when you need it. When the air conditioner is on the engine works harder, increasing gas consumption by about 20%. By keeping the windows closed and turning off the air conditioner, you’ll be able to skip that trip to the sauna.
Vote. Encourage your elected officials to support concepts that save gas, such as improved vehicle efficiency standards, incentives for alternate fuel vehicles, coordinated traffic signals, and road construction designed to unclog traffic bottlenecks. And, if E-85 gasoline is not available in your community, find out why. Many large SUVs, such as some Chevrolet Suburbans can run on both gasoline and E-85 alcohol-gasoline blends, but they can’t find the fuel.
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