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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The FALKEN ZIEX ZE320 has emerged as the outright winner of the 2026 Auto Express summer tyre test, securing the top position in a competitive field that included premium, mid-range and budget alternatives. The comprehensive evaluation, conducted by the prominent UK automotive publication, saw the ZIEX ZE320 praised for its balanced capabilities and reassuring dynamics across both wet and dry surfaces.

Auto Express, a leading authority for new and used car buyers in the UK, is renowned for its independent tyre assessments, which are carried out without the prior knowledge of the manufacturers. The testing procedure for this year’s competition focused on the popular 205/55 R16 91V size, incorporating a variety of rigorous metrics such as braking, handling, aquaplaning resistance and noise levels.

The tyre’s victory was underscored by its performance in key disciplines, including setting the fastest lap times on both wet and dry circuits. The design features of the ZIEX ZE320, including an intelligent tread pattern with offset sipes, contribute to its strong traction and precise steering feel, while its lightweight casing and optimised sidewalls aim to improve rolling efficiency and reduce noise without sacrificing lateral stability. The entire range holds an ‘A’ rating for wet grip under EU labelling.

Available in 61 sizes spanning 15- to 18-inch wheel diameters, the tyre’s success was hailed as a strong endorsement of its everyday usability and performance. The Auto Express test team ultimately concluded that the ZE320’s all-round excellence and strong results in almost every discipline made it an outstanding choice for a broad spectrum of drivers.

John Barker, a journalist and expert tester from Auto Express, said, “The FALKEN scored an impressive victory, beating some excellent tyres to take a first win. It topped the table in three tests, including setting fastest lap times on both the wet and dry circuits, illustrating its excellent all-round ability. It was the pace-setter in both the wet and the dry and delivered strong results in almost every other discipline too. It’s an outstanding tyre.”

Jaap Leendertse, Managing Director, Sumitomo Rubber Europe, the parent company for FALKEN, said, “Winning the Auto Express summer tyre test is a fantastic achievement and a strong endorsement of the ZIEX ZE320’s real-world performance. This result demonstrates that FALKEN achieved the highest overall score in this test against several other tyre models and can deliver qualities that many drivers value, including performance and everyday usability.”

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Michelin has unveiled a strategic overhaul of its product branding within the Beyond Road division, following the recent divestiture of the Camso business. The restructuring marks a significant shift in how the company will present its off-road portfolio to the global market, focusing on clarity and heritage.

Effective September 2026, the agricultural tracks previously sold under the Camso label will be rebranded as MICHELIN BIBTRACK. This new nomenclature pays homage to Michelin’s deep-rooted agricultural history, with the ‘BIB’ designation drawing from a legacy of tyre innovation that began in the 1980s. This lineage includes renowned ranges such as AGRIBIB and AXIOBIB, underscoring the brand's longstanding commitment to the farming sector.

The rebranding extends to conversion and trailed track systems, which will now carry the Michelin name without altering their product designations. Crucially, this transition involves no changes to product performance, manufacturing processes or service delivery, ensuring a seamless experience for customers. The company has simultaneously retained its material handling and Powersports activities, with industrial wheels and tyres transitioning to the Solideal by MICHELIN banner, alongside its dedicated on-site service unit.

This restructuring follows the formal sale of the Camso brand, along with specific construction tyres and tracks, to CEAT, a process initiated in late 2024 and finalised in September 2025. By streamlining its brand architecture, Michelin aims to simplify the customer journey while reinforcing its ambition to become a premier player in off-road mobility, delivering sustainable and innovative solutions grounded in advanced materials expertise.

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Yokohama Tire’s off-road racing contingent is set for a pivotal appearance at the 57th annual Polaris World Championships, scheduled for 4–6 September at Crandon International Raceway in Wisconsin. Known as ‘The Big House’, the venue represents a key stop on the Championship Off-Road season calendar, with Yokohama serving as both the official tyre of the facility and a supporting partner of the racing series.

The team’s lineup features several notable competitors navigating the rugged terrain on GEOLANDAR tyres. Andrew Carlson, a proven contender with multiple podium finishes at Crandon, will pilot his vehicle in the Pro4 class using GEOLANDAR X-AT tyres. Meanwhile, recent Supercross 450 Class Champion Ken Roczen is slated to make his debut at the historic track, competing in the Pro2 class on the same tire model.

Robb Holland is also poised for his first Crandon appearance, trading asphalt for dirt in the Pro Lite division. He will drive a truck belonging to fellow Team Yokohama driver John Holtger, relying on GEOLANDAR A/T4 tyres for his inaugural short-course off-road race. Additionally, team driver Nick Visser enters the weekend holding a narrow lead in the Pro-Spec championship standings, with the title battle intensifying as the season progresses.

Beyond the on-track action, Yokohama will lead the traditional Crandon Labor Day Parade, featuring Carlson and Roczen. The weekend will also include a BassmastHER workshop hosted by Cogan and Carsello, aimed at advancing skills for female participants in the paddock, alongside a VIP and youth fishing tournament held on-site.

Candace Cogan, Director – Product Marketing, Yokohama, said, “We’ve got a great team ready to take on the challenges at Crandon during short-course racing’s most celebrated weekend. They will be ready to face the task on our versatile line of GEOLANDAR tyres. We will once again feature our partnership with Bassmaster with a cool collaboration. Last year we hosted Team Yokohama elite angler, Brandon Palanuik. This time we’ll host Wisconsin native MaggieJo Carsello, a Bassmaster open angler and ambassador for BassmastHER, a female-driven initiative to support a community of female anglers via education, travel and inspiration. We look forward to introducing her to Crandon and the world of short-course off-road racing, something she grew up hearing about.”

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Kumho Tire USA recently hosted a national Ride & Drive event at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe, Washington, where over 70 dealers, media professionals and content creators tested the company’s newest tyre models. The gathering served as a key component of Kumho’s broader 2026 regional tour, which has already engaged more than 600 participants across five American cities. Attendees evaluated the newly launched Road Venture HT and Crugen GT Pro tyres through demanding, real-world driving scenarios.

The testing programme featured controlled modules, including a wet handling course, an autocross track for braking and stability assessment and high-speed freeway driving to measure ride comfort. These exercises allowed participants to directly compare the all-season Highway-Terrain Road Venture HT, intended for light trucks and SUVs, against the Crugen GT Pro, a touring tyre built for modern crossovers and larger SUVs. Kumho’s engineers also conducted an educational forum detailing the technological development of both tyres while collecting direct feedback from attendees.

The Road Venture HT, launched earlier this year, offers enhanced wet and snow traction, extended tread life and a quiet ride, and is compatible with electric vehicles. The Crugen GT Pro is engineered for heavier crossover and SUV applications, delivering premium comfort and all-weather capability with one of the highest treadwear warranties in its segment. Available in 85 sizes covering over 85 percent of the current crossover and SUV market, the Crugen GT Pro is backed by a 75,000-mile warranty for H- and V-speed ratings and a 65,000-mile warranty for W-speed models.

Kumho will conclude its 2026 Ride & Drive series with final regional events in Detroit and St. Louis later this month. The company has confirmed plans to extend the programme into 2027 and beyond, ensuring dealers and partners continue to benefit from hands-on product evaluations, technical training and direct access to Kumho’s engineering expertise.

Chris Corwin, Director of Procurement at Discount Tire & Service Centers, said, "A spec sheet has never sold a tyre to a customer standing at our counter. That is why the Kumho Tire Ride & Drive in Seattle was worth every minute. We got real seat time, instead of a sales pitch, running the all-new Crugen GT Pro and Road Venture HT back-to-back in real world scenarios. Having a seat at that table means a lot to me, and it says something about how seriously they take dealer input."

Ed Cho, CEO, Kumho Tire USA, said, “You can read all about a tyre, but nothing compares to driving it yourself, which is why KUMHO has made a significant investment in Ride & Drive events in 2026. These events give our dealers, wholesale partners and retail partners the opportunity to experience firsthand how our latest tyres perform in real-world driving situations. Whether they are evaluating braking, handling, ride comfort or overall performance, attendees can experience the differences for themselves, giving them greater confidence when recommending our products to their customers.”

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