Dealer fees › Nitrogen tire fill
Nitrogen tire fee: should you pay it?
Verdict: Junk. Regular air is already mostly nitrogen, and the tested benefit is tiny. Ask for it to be removed.
What it is
The dealer fills the tires with high-purity nitrogen instead of ordinary air and charges for it, often marking the valve stems with green caps. The pitch is steadier tire pressure and longer tire life.
Also shows up as: Nitrogen fill, Nitrogen tires, N2 tire fill, Green caps, Tire nitrogen package.
What it typically costs
- Edmunds found dealer prices from about $100 as a stand-alone item to more than $700 when bundled with items like tinting or door edge guards (Edmunds).
- Consumer Reports has seen dealers try to add $400 for it (Consumer Reports).
- For comparison, tire shops charge about $5 or more per tire (Consumer Reports), Edmunds found $7–$10 per tire, and Costco fills with nitrogen free (Edmunds).
Why it's junk
- In a 12-month Consumer Reports test, air-filled tires lost 3.5 psi on average versus 2.2 psi with nitrogen: a 1.3 psi difference over a whole year (Consumer Reports).
- Consumer Reports' advice is to use regular air and check pressure monthly, which you need to do either way (Consumer Reports).
- If the car already has nitrogen and you didn't ask for it, you don't have to pay for it (Consumer Reports; FTC).
How to get it removed
- Find the line on the buyer's order or the dealer's second window sticker (addendum).
- Say you didn't ask for it and won't pay for it, even if it's already in the tires.
- If they say it can't be removed, ask them to take the same amount off the vehicle price instead.
- Check the final contract: the line should be gone or $0.
Copy-paste script:
"I'm not paying for nitrogen in the tires. Air works fine and I'll check my pressure monthly. Please send me an updated out-the-door price with that line removed, and I can move forward today."
Is this fee on your quote? Snap or paste the quote and our free scan marks every line legit, negotiable or junk in seconds. Want an expert to check the whole deal? $19, money back if we find nothing useful.
How TrustBuy flags it
Our free scan and the $19 report use the same rules as this page: a nitrogen tire fill line is marked Junk (ask for it to be removed). Rule note: Air is ~78% nitrogen; little value.
FAQ
Is nitrogen in car tires worth it?
For a normal passenger car, not at dealer prices. Consumer Reports' year-long test found nitrogen-filled tires lost only 1.3 psi less than air-filled tires, and you still need to check pressure monthly.
The car already has green caps. Do I have to pay?
No. Consumer Reports and the FTC both say you don't have to pay for an add-on you didn't ask for, even if it was already done. Ask for the line to be removed or the price reduced by the same amount.
Can I mix air into nitrogen-filled tires?
Yes. Air is mostly nitrogen anyway. Top up with regular air whenever the pressure is low.
Related
Other fees: Dealer add-on package · Paint & fabric protection · VIN etching · all dealer fees
Doc fees by state: California · Texas · Florida · New York · Pennsylvania · Illinois · all states
Tools: Out-the-door price calculator · Free quote scan · Compare: TrustBuy vs CarEdge · vs Carfax
Sources
- Consumer Reports, Should You Use Nitrogen in Your Car Tires?
- Edmunds, Should You Fill Your Car's Tires With Nitrogen?
- Consumer Reports, Just Say No to These Car Dealership Extras (updated April 2026)
- FTC, Car dealerships can't charge you for add-ons you don't want
Checked October 2026. General information, not legal advice. Prices are examples from the cited sources and vary by dealer and state.