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.

Recreatives Industries, the company behind the iconic MAX 6x6 Amphibious All-Terrain Vehicles, has unveiled a new proprietary tyre engineered specifically for its platforms. The TerraTread, available initially in a 23x11-8 size for the MAX 2 model, represents the largest original equipment tyre ever offered for that vehicle. Its expanded 23-inch diameter on an eight-inch rim provides increased ground clearance and a noticeably smoother ride. The design also delivers superior traction across diverse surfaces and enhances performance in water. According to the company, this new tyre substantially broadens the capabilities of both current and older MAX 2 vehicles while ensuring proper fit and boosting amphibious functionality.

Beyond the MAX 2 application, Recreatives Industries is developing a larger 25x12-10 TerraTread version intended for its MAX 4 and Buffalo Truck models. This larger tyre will utilise a 10-inch rim to preserve essential sidewall flexibility while improving flotation, overall stability and rugged off-road performance. The development of this larger TerraTread is a key component of the company's strategic plan, which includes a structured reintroduction of the MAX 4 and Buffalo Truck vehicles targeted for the middle of 2026.

The introduction of the TerraTread line underscores the company’s commitment to expanding its range of proprietary accessories and performance enhancements. These upgrades not only improve vehicle capability but also contribute to increased per-unit revenue. By engineering exclusive components tailored to its own vehicles, Recreatives Industries is strengthening its vertical integration and cultivating a more comprehensive ecosystem around the MAX brand. Initial stock of the new TerraTread tyres is anticipated to arrive during July and August of 2026, at which point they will be made available through the company's dealer network and its online store.

Andrew Lapp, CEO, Recreatives Industries, said, “Our TerraTread tyres were designed to elevate what MAX can do. The 23-inch TerraTread transforms the MAX 2 with additional clearance, improved ride quality and aggressive all-terrain performance. At the same time, the 25-inch development supports our forward platform planning as we position MAX 4 and Buffalo for expanded availability.”

Apollo Tyres Ltd has officially opened a dedicated outdoor tyre testing facility in Ivalo, Finland, marking a major advancement in its global product development capabilities. Initially announced several months ago, the site became fully operational in December 2025 and underscores the company’s ongoing commitment to engineering high-performance winter and all-season tyres for international markets.

The inauguration was led by Vice Chairman and Managing Director Neeraj Kanwar, alongside Chief Commercial Officer Benoit Rivallant and Chief Technology Officer Daniele Lorenzetti. Their presence highlighted the strategic importance of the facility, which was established through a long-term collaboration with UTAC, a globally respected automotive testing and certification organisation. This investment strengthens Apollo Tyres’ ability to lead in the areas of innovation, safety and precision engineering.

Designed to address the complex demands of contemporary tyre development, the facility features snow and ice tracks that simulate diverse real-world winter conditions. It is equipped with advanced data collection systems to assess critical performance parameters such as braking, handling, traction and stability. The bespoke infrastructure enables comprehensive evaluation of tyre behaviour in extreme cold weather environments.

With full control over its winter testing schedule, Apollo Tyres now enjoys greater operational independence and flexibility throughout the season. This autonomy allows for more consistent testing under varied climatic conditions, faster development cycles and improved responsiveness to engineering requirements. By consolidating its winter testing operations at a single advanced location, the company has enhanced both efficiency and cost management.

The new setup enables engineering teams to conduct uninterrupted testing, resulting in quicker validation of new products, greater repeatability in results and reduced logistical demands. These operational improvements support the delivery of winter and all-season tyres that meet rigorous standards of safety, durability and performance.

Developed in line with current technical and legal norms, the facility is also built to accommodate future regulatory changes. Its adaptable infrastructure ensures alignment with evolving testing protocols and certification standards, allowing Apollo Tyres to stay ahead of industry requirements. As expectations for winter mobility continue to grow, this facility positions the company to consistently meet the needs of customers, partners, and regulators in the years ahead.

Kanwar said, “This inauguration is more than the opening of a facility, it is a clear demonstration of Apollo Tyres’ commitment to innovation, safety and performance excellence. With this investment, we are strengthening our ability to develop tyres that perform reliably in the most demanding winter conditions while maintaining exceptional year-round versatility.”

Rivallant said, “This facility is a great asset within Apollo Tyres. It is more than a tyre test facility, as it gives us also the possibility to invite our customers to be part of and experience winter testing for themselves. This will strengthen their insights in tyre development and performance.”

Lorenzetti said, “The launch of our dedicated outdoor tyre testing facility is a major step forward for our R&D capabilities. It gives us highly consistent, real-world data, enabling faster validation and quicker speed to market. Most importantly, it strengthens our ability to continuously improve tyre performance, safety and sustainability – delivering better products to our customers, faster.”

A recent nationwide survey commissioned by Bridgestone has explored the reasons behind UK motorists' loyalty to their local garages, revealing that the decision to return is driven by a blend of practical, personal and experiential factors. The research, which polled 2,000 drivers, indicates that while competitive pricing remains the primary reason for 48 percent of respondents, it is by no means the sole consideration.

The findings highlight the significant role of human connection in the automotive service industry. Some 35 percent of drivers are motivated by the personal relationships they develop with staff, demonstrating that a friendly face can be a powerful draw. This sense of familiarity is often deeply ingrained, with 29 percent of motorists citing family tradition as the reason for their continued custom. This suggests that loyalty can be multigenerational, passed down through habits formed over time.

Consumer priorities are also evolving to include broader ethical considerations. There is a growing segment of the market, measured at 26 percent, willing to support businesses that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability, with this group open to paying a premium for services from a garage that utilises green technology like solar power. This figure has shown an upward trend compared to 23 percent the previous year, signalling an increasing public interest in environmentally responsible practices.

Beyond these deeper values, the survey also uncovered that smaller comforts can influence choice. Some 30 percent of respondents would pay more for a pleasant waiting environment. In a lighter but telling detail, eight percent of motorists even admitted that the quality of the refreshments on offer plays a part in their decision-making process.

According to Drew Chapman, Consumer Sales Director for Bridgestone North Region, these results paint a picture of a more discerning driver, one who seeks value and a positive overall experience rather than simply the lowest price. In response to this shift, Bridgestone is actively supporting garages that align with this ethos through dedicated programmes. One such initiative, backed by more than GBP 1 million in investment, recognises retailers who excel in best practice and premium service delivery. The long-term goal is to accredit 150 sites across Europe, enhancing the customer journey while simultaneously reducing environmental impact. This work is part of a broader corporate commitment to creating value across several key areas, including energy, ecology and customer empowerment.

Chapman said, “It’s encouraging to see that motorists are increasingly looking for more than just the lowest price. At Bridgestone, we’ve always believed that true value is found in quality products and solutions, which provide superior levels of safety and longevity. It’s also interesting to see emotional factors such as trust, familiarity and even a good cup of coffee playing a part in the decision-making process. These small touches help define what makes a motorist return.”

Hankook Tire-sponsored TGL presented by SoFi, a US-based team golf league, is set to host its ninth through twelfth matches over two days beginning 23 February at the SoFi Center in Florida. As the league’s first-ever Official Tyre Partner and a Founding Partner, Hankook Tire is maximising its involvement by showcasing its unified global ‘Hankook’ brand across on-site LED displays, television advertising and broadcast coverage. This strategic presence reaches fans in approximately 150 countries, delivering premium brand value and creating a distinctive brand experience at the crossroads of mobility and sports while broadening consumer engagement.

The upcoming matches carry significant weight as TGL Season 2 approaches its playoff phase. On 23 February, Atlanta Drive GC will face a demanding doubleheader, first confronting Boston Common Golf followed by Los Angeles Golf Club. The opening contest presents a compelling standings battle, with Atlanta seeking to defend its top position against a Boston team that recently surged into second place after a decisive victory over The Bay Golf Club. Although Atlanta opened the season with consecutive wins to claim the lead, Boston has narrowed the gap based on holes won, intensifying the stakes. The subsequent match against Los Angeles proves equally critical, as Atlanta holds merely a two-point advantage over a team tied in holes won, meaning a defeat could trigger a standings reversal.

The following day features New York Golf Club in its own doubleheader, beginning against The Bay Golf Club before meeting Boston Common Golf. Currently occupying sixth place, New York aims to close ground on fifth-place Bay, while The Bay seeks to overcome early-season inconsistencies and build playoff momentum through back-to-back victories. The twelfth matchup places New York against second-place Boston, with only two points separating them. New York will depend on Matt Fitzpatrick, undefeated in Season 2 singles competition, to anchor its postseason push.

With merely three regular season matches remaining before the playoffs, the battle for top-four positioning has intensified considerably. Atlanta Drive GC maintains its lead atop the standings, pursued closely by Boston Common Golf, Los Angeles Golf Club and Jupiter Links GC. Meanwhile, The Bay Golf Club and New York Golf Club occupy fifth and sixth places, respectively, rendering every remaining contest crucial for postseason aspirations.