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.

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TyreSafe, UK’s charity dedicated to raising tyre safety awareness, has joined forces with Road Safety Support (RSS), a not-for-profit organisation, in a new partnership rooted in their shared dedication to evidence-led road safety. As TyreSafe nears its 20th anniversary, it views this collaboration as vital to its mission of reducing tyre-related casualties and contributing to the ultimate goal of eliminating death and serious injury on British roads.

Road Safety Support brings specialised expertise to the table, working with police, highways authorities and safer roads partnerships both domestically and overseas. Their wide-ranging services include casualty data analysis, developing enforcement strategies, supporting speed and red-light camera technology, road safety marketing and providing independent expert evidence for traffic prosecutions.

This alliance strengthens TyreSafe’s existing network among enforcement and highways bodies, allowing tyre safety education and enforcement to be better integrated with broader road safety intelligence and operational data. By combining forces, TyreSafe gains access to RSS’s analytical and enforcement expertise to create more evidence-led campaigns, while RSS and its partners benefit from TyreSafe’s deep specialism in tyre condition research and practical guidance.

Underpinning the collaboration is a mutual recognition that reducing road harm demands coordinated, multi-disciplinary action. Both organisations are committed to the Safe System approach, ensuring that safer vehicles – particularly tyres – are given equal priority alongside safer roads, speeds and people. By blending RSS’s strengths in data, enforcement and legal processes with TyreSafe’s two decades of dedicated tyre safety knowledge, the partnership aims to deliver more consistent, informed and impactful road safety outcomes.

Stuart Lovatt, Chair of TyreSafe, said, “Tyre safety is a fundamental part of safe vehicles, yet it is still too often overlooked in the wider road safety conversation. Partnering with Road Safety Support is an important step in ensuring that tyre-related risk is better understood and addressed using robust data and real-world insight. As TyreSafe continues to work closely with police forces, highways authorities and local authorities, this partnership will help strengthen the evidence base that underpins effective enforcement, education and prevention activity.”

Emma Kelly, Development, PR and Advocacy Manager at Road Safety Support and Road Safety Support International, said, “Road Safety Support works with police forces, road safety partnerships and stakeholders to develop robust, evidence-led road safety strategies. Tyre condition plays a vital role in collision prevention, yet it can be underestimated when considering vehicle-related risk. Partnering with TyreSafe allows us to integrate specialist tyre safety knowledge into broader enforcement and safety frameworks, helping partners make more informed decisions and deliver more effective interventions.”

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Nexen Tire America recognises that with energy and fuel costs continuing to challenge drivers, many are seeking ways to maximise efficiency beyond simply altering their driving routines. While adjusting habits like reducing speed is common, the company points to several overlooked factors that can significantly affect a vehicle’s energy consumption and overall cost per mile.

A critical yet often underestimated element is the role of tyres. Rolling resistance, which is the energy needed to keep tyres moving, directly impacts fuel economy and electric vehicle range. Choosing tyres specifically engineered to minimise this resistance, such as Nexen’s N’Priz S Grand Touring All-Season, can yield noticeable improvements. However, even the best tyres require consistent care; underinflation and misalignment create excess drag that forces the vehicle to work harder, quietly eroding efficiency over time.

External vehicle modifications also play a significant part. Accessories like roof racks and cargo carriers disrupt aerodynamic flow, and even open windows at highway speeds can create more drag than using air conditioning. Driving habits themselves deserve a strategic rethink as well. Opting for a slightly longer route with fewer stops can prove more efficient than a short, start-and-stop journey. Smoother acceleration, gradual braking and coasting to a stop help conserve momentum, which is especially beneficial for regenerative braking systems in electric vehicles.

For electric vehicle owners, additional steps can further extend range. Preconditioning the cabin while the car remains plugged in reduces the strain that climate control places on the battery during travel. Combined with a conscious effort to ease off the accelerator early to maximise energy recovery through regenerative braking, these practices allow drivers to go further on every charge, complementing the efficiency gains from proper tyre selection and mindful driving.

Aaron Neumann, Head of the Nexen Tire America Tech Center, said, “There are several opportunities to improve efficiency that aren’t immediately visible to drivers. From tyre design and maintenance to subtle driving habits, these factors work together to influence how much energy a vehicle uses. By paying attention to the details, drivers can take meaningful steps toward reducing costs and getting more out of every mile.”

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Hankook Tire has claimed the top position in the latest Auto Bild manufacturer ranking, securing a dominant presence across key tyre categories. The brand’s ascent was driven by a double test win for its newly launched Ventus evo, which propelled Hankook to share first place in the summer tyre segment. In the all-season category, the company delivered a consistently strong performance, earning third place overall thanks to the Kinergy model series, which accumulated four top placements across various evaluations.

The Ventus evo made an impressive entry into the current tyre season by clinching victory in two separate Auto Bild summer tyre tests, a feat that positioned Hankook as the only manufacturer alongside one other to achieve a double win in the summer tyre manufacturer standings. This debut underscored the tyre’s seamless fit within the premium segment, with the results highlighting its capabilities across critical criteria such as wet braking and dry handling.

In the all-season arena, the Kinergy series demonstrated remarkable consistency across four distinct tests, securing Hankook’s third-place finish in the manufacturer ranking. The model line proved its reliability by delivering strong results across all relevant performance areas, including winter characteristics, further cementing Hankook’s reputation as a dependable leader in that segment.

The Auto Bild manufacturer ranking aggregates results from all tyre tests conducted during the season, assigning points based on a structured system. A test win earns six points, followed by five for an exemplary rating, three for good, two for satisfactory and one for recommended with reservations. Additional bonuses apply, with one extra point for Eco Champion recognition and two for a Green Tyre designation. Across the 2025/2026 season, a total of 67 summer tyres and 61 all-season tyres were evaluated under this framework.

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Brisbane-based NTD has strengthened its leadership position in Australia and New Zealand by finalising four exclusive multi-year supply agreements with major global tyre manufacturers. These deals solidify the company’s standing within a regional wholesale and retail sector valued at over USD 11 billion, ensuring long-term collaboration with key suppliers across a diverse array of tyre segments. The agreements with Radar Tyres, Giti/GT Radial, Cooper Tires and Mickey Thompson Tires cover passenger vehicles, SUVs, 4-wheel drives, electric vehicles, light trucks, commercial fleets and specialised applications in agriculture and mining, reinforcing NTD’s ability to serve a broad customer base.

According to NTD’s Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Warwick Hay, these partnerships are fundamental to the company’s growth strategy. By securing exclusivity over an extended period, the group can pursue deeper collaboration with manufacturers in areas such as product development, supply planning, and brand building. This structure not only supports commercial flexibility but also enhances supply chain reliability, ultimately ensuring that NTD’s extensive dealer network and customers benefit from consistent product availability.

Two of the newly formalised agreements involve American brands Cooper Tires and Mickey Thompson Tires, both owned by Goodyear. NTD first introduced Cooper Tires to Australia in 1989, and the brand has since become well established in the SUV and light truck segments. Meanwhile, Mickey Thompson Tires maintains a strong focus on high-performance and off-road applications, building on a legacy of innovation in tread design and safety. Representatives from Goodyear and Mickey Thompson noted that NTD’s expertise and commitment have been instrumental in driving brand growth, with the renewed agreements set to build on that momentum.

The remaining two agreements are with Singapore-based entities: Radar Tyres, owned by Omni United, and GT Radial, part of the Giti Group. Radar Tyres has gained recognition in Australia for its value-focused passenger and all-terrain offerings, alongside its distinction as the world’s first carbon-neutral tyre brand. Giti Tire supplies premium products across multiple vehicle categories and has made significant inroads into the electric vehicle segment, supplying original equipment manufacturers such as BYD, GWM and Tesla. Executives from both companies highlighted the combination of global manufacturing capability with NTD’s national distribution network as a key factor in ensuring reliable supply and strong dealer support across Australia and New Zealand.

As the largest independent tyre and wheel importer and distributor in the region, NTD serves more than 4,000 business customers through an extensive network of distribution centres and retail outlets. The company also manufactures retread tyres and provides performance management systems for commercial fleet operators. Hay noted that in a context of global uncertainty, these agreements formalise longstanding supplier relationships while reinforcing continuity of supply. He added that maintaining a broad and dependable product range is essential, particularly as demand grows for eco-friendly, smart and electric vehicle tyres across the diverse sectors the company serves.

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