Each time you go to a tyre shop or a gas station to top up the tyre pressure in your vehicle’s tyres, what the attendant fills into the tyre is normal compressed air. But what exactly does compressed air contain? Compressed air is made up of 78% nitrogen, about 20-21% oxygen, and the balance one percent consists of CO2, and tiny concentrations of gases such as neon, argon and water vapour.

 When you specifically fill nitrogen gas into the vehicle's tyres, then you should have 100% dry nitrogen in your tyre. Dry nitrogen denotes that no        moisture content or any other gases are present in the tyre.

 Jay Chakraborty, who recently bought a second hand car, says, “After I bought my car, I changed the tyres and I’ve heard so many people talk about  how good nitrogen has been for them that I decided to get my new tyres filled with nitrogen air. The car feels a lot better on bumpy roads, and I don’t  have to worry about checking tyre pressure every week.”

Benefits of nitrogen Vs compressed air

Nitrogen as a gas is made up of big molecules, whereas oxygen molecules are much smaller in size compared to nitrogen molecules. When compressed air is put into a vehicle’s tyres, the moisture in the tyre seeps through the rubber over time and evaporates quicker as its molecules are smaller in size. But as nitrogen molecules are bigger in size, they do not permeate the tyres rubber so easily and hence will stay in the tyre for a longer duration. This means that your vehicle’s tyres will lose less pressure over time compared to regular compressed air filled tyres.

 

For example: An inactive vehicle, whose tyres are filled with normal compressed air will lose tyre pressure every week. But a 100% nitrogen-filled tyre will lose tyre pressure a lot slower and won’t need to be topped up as frequently. 

 

Titus Remedios, “I filled nitrogen in the new tyres that  I purchased for my Maruti Ecco in June 2019. That time the tyre pressure filled with nitrogen was 35Psi. I use the car once a week and after the lockdown, the car hadn’t been used in months. I recently went back in October 2020 to the place where I had filled the nitrogen in the car tyres and the tyre pressure after 14 months had only dropped to 22Psi. .

 

Another point to note, nitrogen filled tyres get a green or blue colour valve cap. This is a universal symbol that your vehicle's tyres are filled with nitrogen and not compressed air.

Is Nitrogen right for you?

Over-inflation and under inflation of tyres make a major difference on the race track. But on your normal city road does it make a huge difference? Under-inflated tyres normally lead to less mileage, uneven wear on the tyre treads and more tyre wear and tear overall. Over inflated tyres run the risk of burning out the contact patch on the tyre too quickly, while adding more bounce vs grip to a vehicle's stability. In hot climate conditions, your vehicle's tyre pressure can jump up tremendously. Highway running speeds coupled with a harsh sun beating down, can lead to a  tear in the tyre or in extreme conditions, a tyre bursting. This is where nitrogen-filled tyres shine the most. Due to their molecular build, nitrogen molecules stay at a constant temperature in a tyre. So even if the temperature outside decreases or increases, the nirotgen in the tyre will remain the same. That is why race cars and racing motorcycles only use 100% nitrogen in their tyres all the time.

 

Now we are all not professional racers, but we do commute on a daily basis and even go for the occasional weekend drive out of the city for some sightseeing and relaxation. Will filling nitrogen in your vehicle's tyre help you? There are many who swear by nitrogen-filled tyres and an equal amount who feel that regular compressed air works just fine.

Personal tyre maintenance

If you are someone who keeps a check on the vehicles tyre pressure weekly and tops up the air when needed, you won’t need nitrogen filled into your vehicles tyre. However, if you are someone who tops air pressure once a month or once in two months, then filling nitrogen in your vehicle's tyres will help you reap the benefits of it. If you constantly make long highway trips and most of your time is spent behind the wheel, then filling nitrogen in your vehicle's tyres will be a boon.

 

Yash Ramrakhyani from Palghar runs a big tyre shop which sells Apollo, Bridgestone, Continental, Michelin and Yokohama tyres for every vehicle from a scooter to a heavy duty tempo. He says, “I get an average of 300 customers a year who want nitrogen filled in their vehicle’s tyres. There was a big local demand in the area for nitrogen-filled tyres, hence my father and me invested in the nitrogen unit. Tyres don't get hot, and nitrogen level doesn't go down so fast is what I have heard from customers as feedback, but the fact that people think nitrogen levels in the tyre doesn't go down is false. Even nitrogen-filled tyres have to be checked for tyre pressure once a month.

Nitrogen myths busted

Myth 1: Your vehicle's mileage will increase.

 

Truth: Your vehicle’s mileage depends on a lot of factors, tyres being just one small part of that equation. Having nitrogen filled tyres only gives you the benefit of having a most constant tyre pressure. However compressed air and nitrogen filled tyres both will loose pressure after a certain amount of time.

 

Myth 2: Your vehicle's comfort will be better, it will be soft on bumps.

Truth: Compressed air or nitrogen filled tyres will react the same way when on bumpy roads. It is the rubber compound and the type of tyres that you have that will make a difference in the ride or drive quality. As long as you maintain the right air pressure in your vehicle's tyres, you’ll be good.

 

Myth 3: You won’t have to fill up the tyre pressure as frequently.

 

Truth: Well this is true. Nitrogen-filled tyres will retain the pressure in your vehicle's tyre for a longer time duration compared to tyres filled with compressed air. However, even nitrogen-filled tyres loose pressure over time and you have to get the pressure checked and topped up from time to time.

 

Myth 4: Your vehicle's tyre will last longer

 

Truth: The tyre on your vehicle rely on you to make sure you maintain the recommended air pressure inorder for it to do its job properly. Under inflated and over inflated tyres will wear out faster when compared to tyres that have been properly maintained.

 

Myth 5: The rims on your vehicle won't rust

 

Truth: There is some amount of truth in this. As nitrogen-filled tyres contain less or no water vapour, the moisture content in the tyre is less. Less moisture equals to less rust on the inside of the wheel. But that doesn’t stop the rest of the wheel from rusting due to everyday washing and climate conditions.

 

Myth 6: There are few tyre shops / fuel pumps that offer nitrogen.

 

Truth: Compressed air is mostly nitrogen gas. So even if you have nitrogen-filled tyres, but you’re running low on tyre pressure and there’s no nitrogen filling station around, you can still fill normal compressed air. It will not have any major impact on your vehicle's tyres. Maintaining the right tyre pressure is key.

The catch

The nitrogen that you get filled in your vehicle's tyres is not a 100% or even 99% pure nitrogen. A brand new or even an old tyre once deflated has some amount of air inside it. It is the atmospheric air that's already there all around us. So unless you drain all the air in the tyre out and refill it nitrogen and drain the tyre again 2-3 times, you’ll still be running your vehicle's tyres with 90% nitrogen and not 100% nitrogen. But even then you’re not guaranteed that your vehicle's tyres will be filled with 100% pure nitrogen. There is no way to measure how much nitrogen is there in your vehicle’s tyre. Nitrogen will cost you, whereas compressed air is free at most petrol pumps or Rs.1-2 at a tyre shop. Nitrogen costs on the other hand vary from place to place and the kind of machine they have. The machines that are at the tyre shops or petrol pumps that offer nitrogen, do not deliver pure 100% nitrogen! Some machines will have a percentage rating of how much nitrogen it provides to the tyre and some have no percentage levels at all. Filling nitrogen in your vehicle's tyres can cost you anywhere from Rs.150 for four tyres to Rs.50 per tyre and can go all the way up to Rs.1,500 for a set of four tyres.

Conclusion

Have you ever noticed that vehicle manufactureres never recommend nitrogen in their manuals or at their service centers. The reason behind this is your vehicle's tyres are manufactured to run on normal compressed air. As long as you maintain the right tyre pressure in your vehicle’s tyre, you’ll be fine.

Two tyre service businesses with strong regional recognition in central Sweden and the Stockholm area, Västerås Däck and Arlandastad Däck, have been acquired by Citira, a Sweden-based company specialising in circular tyre management. These additions represent a significant step in Citira’s strategy to broaden its service network within the country.

Established in 2008 by Jalle Eriksson, Västerås Däck built a solid reputation for servicing both passenger cars and heavy vehicles, cultivating a dedicated customer base. This success led to the creation of Arlandastad Däck in 2020. The strategic placement of both facilities along the E4 and E18 corridors, combined with dedicated leadership and strong operational standards, positioned them for integration as vital service hubs within the expanding Citira network.

Daily operations at both locations will remain unchanged, with the existing staff continuing in their roles. The current management will stay on to run the businesses, now with access to Citira’s broader resources to foster future growth. As part of the agreement, Eriksson will transition into a co-ownership role within Citira, ensuring continuity and a shared vision for the businesses moving forward.

David Boman, CEO, Citira, said, “It is our privilege to welcome Jalle, Fredrik and Sofie to Citira, we look forward to working with them. The Eriksson family has made great achievements with both tyre shops and we are confident that adding these two service points will improve Citira’s service offering in both regions. We see great value in the experience that the Eriksson family brings and in the potential to operate these tyre shops alongside our current tyre shops in Västerås and Märsta.”

Eriksson said, “We are very impressed with what Citira has achieved so far. Their extensive network of tyre shops, broad service offering and industry experience will ensure that our service standards remain high going forward while enabling us to focus fully on serving our customers and exploring growth opportunities. We look forward to this partnership.”

Dr Suttipong Angthong, Secretary-General of the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC), visited the Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association (MARGMA) in Kuala Lumpur on 13 February 2026. The meeting brought together the ANRPC representative with MARGMA's Executive Director, Linda Tey and Dr Amir Hashim Md Yatim to discuss potential avenues for collaboration between their two organisations.

The dialogue was focused on strengthening ties across the natural rubber and glove value chain. Key topics included enhancing downstream value addition, promoting sustainable practices and navigating the challenges presented by evolving global market dynamics. The conversation underscored a shared interest in a closer partnership to build greater industry resilience.

Both parties expressed a firm commitment to working together to foster sustainable growth and to reinforce Malaysia's significant role within the global rubber ecosystem. The discussions highlighted a mutual dedication to forging a more integrated and competitive future for the natural rubber and products sector.

According to a recent analysis by ICRA, the Indian automotive sector is poised for a period of normalised wholesale volume expansion in the fiscal year 2026–27. This forecast follows a phase of accelerated growth in the latter half of 2025–26, which was primarily fuelled by factors emerging from post-GST reforms and positive rural market sentiment. The industry is currently undergoing significant structural changes, most notably a shift towards premium products and an evolving mix of powertrain technologies, signalling a deep-seated change in consumer behaviour and technological adoption.

In the passenger vehicle segment, domestic wholesale figures for 2025–26 are anticipated to rise by 5–7 percent. This uptick is attributed to increased affordability resulting from GST rate adjustments, a robust need for vehicle replacement and a continuing inclination towards private transportation. The utility vehicle sub-segment is particularly benefiting from shifting consumer tastes and a surge in new model introductions. Concurrently, alternative powertrains like CNG, hybrids and electric vehicles are gaining traction due to regulatory influences and changing customer preferences. However, building on a high base and elevated inventory levels with dealers, the growth in passenger vehicle wholesales is expected to temper to a more moderate 4–6 percent in 2026–27.

The two-wheeler market is on a path of steady recovery, with an estimated growth of 6–9 percent in 2025–26. This is supported by strong agricultural performance, easier access to finance and better overall affordability. Mirroring the passenger vehicle segment, a trend towards premiumisation is evident, with demand for premium motorcycles and scooters rebounding sharply, while entry-level models continue to face headwinds due to elevated prices and affordability issues for lower-income consumers. The penetration of electric two-wheelers is set to increase progressively, though the industry must monitor supply-side factors such as the availability of rare earth magnets. Looking ahead to 2026–27, the segment's growth is projected to normalise to 3–5 percent.

The commercial vehicle sector is forecast to see wholesale volumes grow by 7–9 percent in 2025–26, driven by increased activity in light commercial vehicles and buses. While replacement demand, infrastructure projects and a stable economy provide a solid foundation, cumulative price increases from successive regulatory changes, like emission norm updates, pose a constraint on more robust expansion, particularly for trucks. For 2026–27, the overall growth for commercial vehicles is expected to settle at 4–6 percent. Within this, medium and heavy commercial vehicles are projected to grow by 5–7 percent, light commercial vehicles by 3–5 percent and the bus segment is likely to outperform with 7–9 percent growth, buoyed by significant replacement needs from state transport undertakings.

Across all these segments, the adoption of electric vehicles is predicted to rise substantially by the end of the decade. This transition will be most pronounced in two-wheelers, three-wheelers and buses, with passenger cars and light commercial vehicles also seeing a gradual increase from their current low base. This widespread shift will be enabled by sustained governmental policy support, the expansion of charging networks and a progressively lower total cost of ownership for electric models.

Srikumar Krishnamurthy, Senior Vice President & Co–Group Head – Corporate Ratings, ICRA, said, “The current fiscal has unfolded as a tale of two halves for the Indian automotive industry, with the first half witnessing subdued demand while the second half is seeing a strong recovery on the back of policy support and healthy rural demand. Industry sales volumes have been robust over the past few months, aided by the GST rate cut, pent–up demand, supportive rural output and conducive financing environment. Although demand sentiment remains optimistic, volumes are reaching levels that would weigh on the potential for outsized growth in 2026–27.

“The Indian automotive industry is currently at crossroads amid changing consumer preferences, technological advancements and focus on sustainability. ICRA expects the growth trajectory to continue in 2026–27 even as growth is likely to remain modest across segments. Over the medium term, vehicle electrification is expected to be a key structural theme, with EV penetration rising steadily across segments.”

The eighth Apollo Tyres Global Partners’ Summit brought together a diverse group of leaders, innovators and longstanding collaborators for a day dedicated to strategic dialogue and forward-looking alignment. Conversations focused on key areas such as business strategy, product innovation, manufacturing excellence and sustainability, reinforcing the idea that enduring success is built on strong, collaborative relationships. A major highlight was a guided tour of Apollo Tyres’ advanced manufacturing facility in Andhra Pradesh, where partners gained direct insight into the scale, cutting-edge technology and operational precision that are shaping the company’s future growth.

The summit featured two significant panel discussions. The first – Doing Business in Uncertain Times – brought together global leaders to explore challenges and opportunities in a shifting landscape. The second – Building Sustainability into Manufacturing Operations – addressed integrating sustainability into manufacturing, with experts discussing decarbonisation, ethical sourcing and digital transformation. Both sessions emphasised the growing responsibilities of modern enterprises and the need for cross-border cooperation to build resilient supply chains and drive meaningful change.

Concluding the event was an awards ceremony celebrating partners whose exceptional performance, innovation and dedication continue to elevate industry standards. These honours acknowledged not just measurable outcomes, but the trust and shared accountability that form the foundation of lasting partnerships.

Apollo Tyres’ Champion Awardees	Apollo Tyres’ Gold Partner Awardees
Debasish Ghosh, PCBL Chemical Ltd	Birla Carbon India Pvt Ltd
Lilesh Padhyar, Bekaert Industries	BST Eneos Elastomer Co ltd
Neeraj Handa, HS Hyosung Vietnam Co	Indian Synthetic Rubber Pvt Ltd
Pramod Kumar, SI Group India	Jiangsu Xingda Steel Tyre Cord Ltd
Santipada Bhunia, Madura Industrial Textiles	Kumho Petrochemical
Shi Ching Chien, Tong Thai Rubber Group	OCCL Limited