Tires: Nitrogen or Air?, nitrogen filled tires, diffusion rate

Question
Was informed that Nitrogen filled tires improves fuel mileage, decreases tire wear and improves handling, what is your view on this? Thanks.
Norman

Answer
Nitrogen has 2 main features:  It diffuses through the tire slower (pressure loss is slower) and it slows down oxygen degradation.

Most of the hype surrounding nitrogen is because of the slower diffusion rate and those things you mentioned are improved IF (Big IF) you don't have your tire pressures checked regularly.  But even if you don't check your pressures, the benefit is very slight.

BTW air is 78% nitrogen!