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.

The AZuR project group on chemical recycling has published a comprehensive glossary to establish clear and consistent terminology in the field of used tyre processing. This resource aims to support a common understanding among industry professionals, scientists, politicians and the media by defining key technical terms and explaining complex processes transparently.

The glossary was compiled by Claus Lamer and Robert Weibold (both of Robert Weibold GmbH), along with Dr Ann-Kathrin Andresen (ING.-UP). It covers essential concepts related to chemical tyre recycling, such as pyrolysis and devulcanization, while also including other relevant recycling methods for context.

Pyrolysis, a central process in chemical recycling, involves the thermochemical decomposition of shredded tyres at high temperatures without oxygen. This process yields valuable outputs like pyrolysis oil, gas and recovered carbon black. The generated gas can be used to power the plant, making the process highly energy efficient. Devulcanisation is another technique highlighted, as it allows vulcanised rubber to be reprocessed into a usable secondary raw material.

These advanced recycling methods are crucial for advancing a sustainable tyre circular economy. They provide a climate-friendly alternative to landfills or incineration for tyres that are no longer suitable for repair or retreading. By transforming end-of-life tyres into valuable secondary raw materials, chemical recycling keeps resources in circulation and reduces reliance on fossil fuels.

With this glossary, the AZuR project group provides a foundational technical reference to guide future discussion and development. It encourages a balanced assessment of the opportunities and limitations of these technologies, promoting innovation that supports a fully functional circular economy.

The DUNLOP BLUE RESPONSE TG summer tyre has earned the highest possible distinction, receiving an ‘Outstanding’ overall rating from Auto Motor und Sport, a premier German automotive publication with significant influence across the European market. This top-tier performance was secured during the magazine's latest comparative assessment, where eight competing summer tyres, all sized 195/55 R16, were subjected to rigorous evaluation. The newly launched DUNLOP model emerged as the definitive leader.

Having been formally introduced to the European press and consumers just this week in Seville, the DUNLOP BLUE RESPONSE TG represents a significant milestone as the first DUNLOP tyre manufactured by Sumitomo Rubber Industries. Its debut in a major market test has already yielded remarkable results. The tyre's evaluation revealed superior performance across all measured categories. In wet condition assessments, it achieved scores approaching a perfect 10 in nearly every test. Its innovative tread design proved highly effective, excelling in critical areas such as braking distance, lateral grip and resistance to longitudinal aquaplaning.

This excellence was matched during dry handling trials, where the tyre demonstrated remarkably balanced and dynamic capabilities. It accumulated three flawless scores of 10 and an additional three scores of nine, underscoring its exceptional precision and the heightened safety it provides. Notably high marks were awarded for its braking performance, responsive handling characteristics and sustained consistency. Testers universally praised its superior grip on both wet and dry surfaces, its precise and agile steering feedback and its dependable behaviour during lane changes, highlighting a safe and forgiving performance envelope. As the sole tyre in the test to achieve the ‘Outstanding’ rating, the DUNLOP BLUE RESPONSE TG established a commanding lead in the final classification.

Markus Bögner, Managing Director and President, DUNLOP Tyre Europe GmbH, said, “We are proud that the first DUNLOP tyre of our own design leads the competition from the outset. This test victory clearly confirms our ambitions and shows that DUNLOP’s return to the premium segment was the right strategic decision. The DUNLOP BLUE RESPONSE TG sends a strong signal about where the brand is headed.”

Full scores for DUNLOP BLUE RESPONSE TG:

Wet braking distance:                                  10/10
Wet lateral grip:                                           10/10
Wet handling (measured):                            10/10
Wet handling (subjective):                            10/10
Wet longitudinal aquaplaning:                     10/10
Wet lateral aquaplaning:                                9/10
Dry braking distance:                                  10/10
Dry lane change safety (subjective):              9/10
Dry steering response (subjective):               9/10
Dry handling (measured):                           10/10
Dry handling (subjective):                           10/10
Dry rolling comfort (subjective):                   9/10
Rolling resistance:                                        6/10
Road noise:                                                10/10
Overall rating:                                          9.6/10

Hankook Tire has confirmed the 2026 season of the Lamborghini Super Trofeo series will commence with its opening round in Florida from 18 to 20 March 2026. As the exclusive tyre supplier for this international championship organised by Italian supercar manufacturer Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., Hankook will equip all competing Huracán Super Trofeo EVO2 cars with its ultra-high-performance Ventus racing tyre. This partnership, established in 2023, continues to see the Ventus tyre support Lamborghini vehicles under extreme conditions, withstanding speeds approaching 300 kmph while delivering exceptional grip, handling and durability across varied global climates.

The opening event, part of the North American series, is set to take place at the challenging Sebring International Raceway. This 6.0-kilometre circuit, constructed on the grounds of Hendricks Field Airport, presents unique difficulties with its combination of dedicated racetrack sections, airport runways and taxiways. The track surface itself adds another layer of complexity; concrete sections in particular place immense stress on tyres and become notably slippery when wet. Furthermore, the intense Florida sun can dramatically elevate track temperatures, making strategic tyre management a critical factor that could very well decide the race's outcome.

Despite these demanding conditions, the Ventus tyre is expected to perform reliably, showcasing Hankook’s advanced motorsports technology. Its robust construction provides the necessary heat resistance and stability for high-speed racing, reinforcing the global premium status of the Hankook brand through this strong collaboration with Lamborghini.

The 2026 Lamborghini Super Trofeo season will feature three continental series spanning North America, Europe and Asia, encompassing 10 countries and six rounds each. A key highlight for local fans is Round 4 of the Asia series, scheduled for 17 to 19 July 2026 at Inje Speedium in Gangwon Province. Following the conclusion of the regional championships, the top competitors will gather in Italy for the Grand Final from 24 to 25 October, where the ultimate world champion will be crowned.

The Bridgestone Potenza Sport EVO, incorporating ENLITEN Technology, secured the top position in the 2026 summer tyre test conducted by sport auto magazine. Evaluated in size 205/45R17 on a Mazda MX-5, it emerged as the clear leader among seven competing tyres. It was the sole tyre to earn the prestigious ‘outstanding’ rating, achieving 9.2 points for its overall performance.

The testers commended the Potenza Sport EVO for its remarkably balanced capabilities. They characterised it as a tyre combining high safety with an exhilarating driving experience, declaring it their definitive top choice. The evaluation noted the tyre's abundant grip and precise handling during challenging manoeuvres. The experts described it as a highly responsive tyre with substantial grip in reserve on both wet and dry roads while praising its fine controllability through load variations.

Its proficiency in wet conditions was a significant highlight, demonstrated by short braking distances, tenacious cornering grip and robust safety margins against aquaplaning. Developed from the multi-award-winning Potenza Sport, this new model elevates sports performance, wet control, durability and efficiency. Available from January 2026, the tyre ensures precise control at high velocities, preserving vehicle composure. It attains a top-tier EU label A-grade for wet grip, and compared to its predecessor, it reduces wet braking distances by five percent and dry braking by two percent.

These advancements are complemented by superior longevity, with a 15 percent mileage increase, translating to roughly 6,000 extra kilometres. Furthermore, it enhances fuel economy and boosts electric vehicle range through a rolling resistance reduction of up to six percent.