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.

Bridgestone’s newly launched Total Cost of Ownership platform emerged as a central attraction at this year’s Road Transport Expo, where fleet operators gathered to examine how customised data analytics can refine logistical expenditures. The tool, which made its premiere at the Stoneleigh event, drew thousands of attendees eager to explore the practical applications of operational metrics in minimising fleet-related outlays. Organisers recorded a total turnout of 13,325 visitors, a significant portion of whom engaged directly with Bridgestone’s commercial team to assess the platform’s capabilities.

The TCO Calculator allows transport companies to input their specific performance data, generating individualised cost comparisons that move beyond generic industry benchmarks. This tailored approach enables managers to pinpoint potential savings and make commercially sound choices based on their unique operational profiles. Concurrently, the booth featured ongoing presentations of Bridgestone’s broader portfolio, including premium truck tyres, Bandag retreading systems, Fleetcare services and Webfleet’s digital tools, all of which sustained a steady flow of professional inquiries throughout the event.

Product highlights included the ECOPIA with ENLITEN technology, promoted for its fuel-saving attributes, and the Duravis line, engineered for extended mileage and reduced early tyre removal. Bandag’s retread offerings also drew considerable attention, underscoring the industry’s shifting focus towards sustainable practices that prolong casing life and diminish waste. These presentations reinforced the message that performance need not be sacrificed for ecological or economic benefits.

The exhibition underscored Bridgestone’s broader strategy of lowering total ownership costs through an integrated mix of tyre manufacturing, retreading, telematics and expert consultation. Additional Webfleet innovations, such as AI-powered Fleet Advisor, connected cameras and PRO Driver Terminals, highlighted the role of interconnected technology in boosting safety and regulatory compliance. The positive reception of the TCO platform confirmed that data-centric decision-making is rapidly becoming a cornerstone of modern transport management.

David Almazan, Head of Region and Commercial Business Unit Director, said, “RTX proved to be a fantastic opportunity to meet with customers and have meaningful conversations about the challenges they're facing. There was a real appetite to explore new ways of reducing operating costs, and the response to Bridgestone’s new Total Cost of Ownership platform. The number of visitors wanting to understand how the tool works and how it can be applied to their own operations showed us that fleets are increasingly looking beyond individual products and taking a broader view of total operating costs. That's exactly what the TCO tool has been designed to support.

“RTX continues to be one of the UK's most important events for the commercial vehicle sector, and this year's show demonstrated just how engaged the industry is in finding smarter, more sustainable ways to operate. The quality of conversations we had throughout the three days was exceptional. It wasn't simply about introducing new products; it was about working alongside fleets to understand their businesses and identify practical solutions that deliver long-term value. That's exactly where Bridgestone can make a real difference.”

Alex Crane-Robinson, Webfleet Regional Director, UK and Ireland, said, “The conversations we had at RTX highlighted the growing importance of our technology in helping operators manage increasingly complex and demanding operations. By giving fleets clearer visibility of their vehicles, drivers and day-to-day performance, data insights can help them identify opportunities to improve efficiency, support compliance and control costs. RTX offered a valuable opportunity to demonstrate how Webfleet can help operators use these insights to make faster, better-informed decisions.”

The Bundeskartellamt has levied fines totalling EUR 11.9 million against Maxxis International GmbH, Best4Tires Berlin GmbH and Reifen Müller GmbH & Co. KG, alongside an individual responsible for the infractions. Maxxis, functioning as the exclusive German importer for Taiwanese manufacturer Cheng Shin Rubber, supplies tyres under its own brand and the CST label, while the other two firms operate as domestic wholesalers.

The proceedings originated when a competing wholesaler disclosed the restrictive practices to the authority and agreed to cooperate fully. The allegations centre on a coordinated scheme to control pricing within the German wholesale market for Maxxis and CST tyres. At the end of 2015, Maxxis, responding to commercial pressure from wholesalers including the predecessor of Best4Tires Berlin and Reifen Müller, initiated margin guarantee contracts that assured fixed profit margins on each tyre sold, later extending similar deals to nine additional distributors.

Central to the arrangement was a tacit agreement that wholesalers would avoid price leadership and adopt only a defensive sales posture, particularly on the Tyre24 online platform. Maxxis concurrently deployed a price moderation framework that prescribed recommended resale prices, continuously monitored actual market prices via buyer accounts on the platform, and systematically intervened against perceived underpricing. This system persisted until July 2024, when the company abandoned the practice and terminated all remaining margin agreements following the cartel office’s intervention.

The authority also determined that the two wholesalers had actively pursued and benefited from these margin guarantees, with Best4Tires Berlin inheriting liability for its predecessor’s continuation of the anti-competitive behaviour after its 2022 acquisition. Mitigating factors in the penalty assessment included cooperation from Maxxis and Best4Tires Berlin, alongside settlements agreed by Maxxis and Reifen Müller. The fine orders remain subject to appeal before the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court, which will conduct a full factual and legal review of the case.

Andreas Mundt, President, Bundeskartellamt, said, “Vertical price-fixing agreements tend to put consumers at a disadvantage as they often lead to excessive prices. The Bundeskartellamt vigorously prosecutes such practices, which have already been prohibited since the early 1970s. In any case, agreements guaranteeing distributors a certain margin violate competition law if, as here, they contain provisions on distributors’ selling prices, thereby restricting their freedom to set prices.”

PT Tiga Berlian Mandiri (Tiberman), an Indonesian importer and distributor of tyres and wheels, used Tiberman Expo 2026 to showcase its expanding business portfolio, strengthen industry partnerships and launch a new renewable energy business.

Held at the company's Super Area in Gresik, East Java, the exhibition brought together representatives from more than 70 companies, government officials and international tyre suppliers. The event featured hundreds of tyre and wheel products and was hosted at one of Tiberman's 15 Super Areas across Indonesia.

Built around the company's philosophy, "We Provide Solutions", the exhibition focused on integrated business solutions for industries including transportation, logistics, mining, plantations, manufacturing and construction, rather than solely on product displays.

The event also served as a platform for collaboration between industry, government institutions and international partners. Visitors explored tyre and wheel solutions for commercial vehicles, trucks, buses, heavy equipment and specialised industrial applications, while Tiberman sought to strengthen customer relationships and support improvements in operational efficiency and reliability.

Alongside the exhibition, Tiberman Group inaugurated the second warehouse of PT Fie Min Logistics, its bonded logistics and warehousing subsidiary. Representatives from the East Java Regional Office of Indonesia's Directorate General of Customs and Excise officiated at the opening.

According to the company, the new facility will increase storage capacity, improve distribution across Indonesia and enhance customer service.

Tiberman also announced the launch of PT Ethlon Energy Indonesia, marking its entry into the renewable energy sector.

The new company will provide consulting, system integration and installation services for solar photovoltaic power systems, targeting mining companies, plantations, industrial operations and large corporate customers. Tiberman said the expansion reflects increasing demand for energy solutions that are more efficient, reliable and environmentally responsible.

The company said the move broadens its position from a product-focused business to an integrated solutions provider spanning tyres, wheels, logistics and renewable energy.

During the exhibition, Tiberman also received two recognitions from the Indonesian World Records Museum (MURI). The awards recognised what the company described as Indonesia's first tyre featuring a batik motif on its sidewall and the first tyre incorporating inspirational quotations into its tread design.

PT Tiga Berlian Mandiri said the exhibition reinforces its long-term strategy of expanding its distribution network, strengthening logistics capabilities and developing new business segments while supporting customers across multiple industries through its nationwide network of 15 Super Areas.

Birla Tyres has officially joined the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA), becoming the newest member of the leading industry body. The company, with its registered office in Kolkata, operates a large-scale manufacturing facility in Balasore, Odisha, which spans 195 acres and is dedicated to producing a diverse range of speciality tyres.

Based in New Delhi, ATMA represents major tyre manufacturers that account for more than 80 percent of domestic production. The association serves as a vital link between the government and the industry while also engaging with media, opinion leaders and international trade bodies to advocate for the sector’s perspectives.

ATMA actively participates in policy formulation and regularly consults with government departments on economic challenges affecting the industry. Its existing membership includes prominent firms such as MRF Tyres, JK Tyre & Industries, CEAT Ltd and Bridgestone India, the local subsidiary of the Japanese tyre giant.