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.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Falken has advanced to the final round of the first-ever Service Award, a new distinction created by the Federal Association of Tyre Retailers and Tyre Repairers (BRV) based in Bonn. As a brand operating under Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH, Falken now competes alongside two other undisclosed nominees for a prize designed to highlight outstanding trust-based partnerships and superior service within the passenger car and light commercial vehicle tyre sector.

A comprehensive survey of over 250 BRV member companies drove the selection process. Between early March and mid-April, participating retailers cast online votes evaluating criteria such as on-time delivery reliability, logistics and ordering efficiency, commercial terms, customer service responsiveness and the quality of sales, marketing and training support. The results placed Falken among the three finalists, signalling strong approval from the specialist tyre trade.

The eventual winner will be revealed on 8 June 2026 at a ceremony held during the BRV General Meeting in Cologne. That announcement will formally close the inaugural competition, with Falken remaining in contention for the top honour.

Thomas Langer, Sales Director Germany, Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH, said, “Being nominated for the BRV Service Award means a great deal as it is decided by the specialist tyre trade. It confirms our commitment to offering Falken partners not only reliable and safe products, but above all, dependable service, tailored support and a genuine partnership-based collaboration. This feedback motivates the whole team to remain focussed on serving our loyal customer base.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Zhongce Rubber Group (ZC Rubber), the official global tyre partner of Arsenal Football Club, has extended its congratulations to the team for securing the Premier League title for the 2025/26 season. The Chinese tyre manufacturing giant, recognised as one of the world’s leading industry players, commemorated the club’s first Premier League title since the legendary unbeaten ‘Invincibles’ run of 2003/04. This victory represents Arsenal’s 14th English top-flight title, reaffirming its status among the most successful clubs in the history of English football.

Since forming the global partnership with Arsenal in 2023, ZC Rubber has leveraged the collaboration to promote its diverse tyre brand portfolio, which includes WESTLAKE, GOODRIDE, CHAOYANG, ARISUN, TRAZANO, YARTU, TIANLI and YONGGU. The company has enhanced its international brand visibility through matchday LED advertising at Emirates Stadium, integration with Arsenal’s official channels and various fan engagement initiatives. These efforts connect the excitement of elite football with the reliability and performance of ZC Rubber’s tyre products.

This championship victory also represents a significant milestone in ZC Rubber’s sports marketing strategy. As the company continues to expand its global footprint, the Arsenal partnership serves as a dynamic platform to reach consumers, distributors and business partners through a shared passion for football. ZC Rubber has expressed pride in celebrating the season’s success alongside Arsenal and its worldwide fanbase.

Henry Shen, Senior Vice President, Zhongce Rubber Group, said, “On behalf of ZC Rubber, I would like to offer our sincere congratulations to Arsenal Football Club, the players, coaching staff and supporters on this remarkable Premier League victory. It has been inspiring to see the team’s focus, determination and unity throughout the season. Arsenal’s pursuit of greatness strongly resonates with ZC Rubber’s own commitment to delivering safe, reliable and high-performance tyre solutions for customers around the world.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Balkrishna Industries Ltd. (BKT) is showcasing its latest agricultural tyre technologies at Agritechnica Asia in Bangkok, where more than 15,000 trade visitors are expected to attend the exhibition over three days.

The off-highway tyre manufacturer is exhibiting at booth F17 alongside Chavakit Ruam Yang Co Ltd., its distributor in Thailand for more than 20 years.

BKT said the products on display are designed to address the evolving requirements of the Asian agricultural sector, with a focus on soil protection, durability and load-carrying capacity.

Among the products featured at the exhibition is HARVESTER SPECIAL, a heavy-duty tyre developed for sugarcane harvesters in Thailand. The company said the tyre’s dual-angle lug design is intended to improve traction in field conditions while maintaining road comfort.

The company is also presenting several products from its AGRIMAX range, including AGRIMAX RT 657, AGRIMAX RT 855 and AGRIMAX RT 955, which are designed for soil tillage, road use and row crop applications.

In addition, BKT is displaying tyres from its TR range, including TR 135, which is aimed at demanding tillage operations.

The exhibition is being held at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC) through 22 May.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Continental has deepened its longstanding alliance with BRABUS by engineering a bespoke ultra‑ultra‑high‑performance (UUHP) summer tyre for the new BODO supercar. The SportContact 7 Force joins the award-winning family as an exclusive derivative, marked by a special BB sidewall identification. This launch extends a technical partnership rooted in performance and precision for more than 25 years.

Developed from the tread concept of its predecessor, the new tyre focuses on maintaining maximum control at high speeds on both roads and racetracks. It provides quick responses to shifting loads, ensuring predictable lane changes and stable motorway running. The compound also delivers repeatable grip during successive braking and acceleration on a circuit.

This model-specific fitment, sized at 275/35 ZR 21 for the front and 325/30 ZR 21 for the rear, aligns tyre construction with the supercar’s axle-load realities. The collaboration ensures that the BODO’s engine power is transmitted effectively to the asphalt without sacrificing steering precision. Continental and BRABUS have consistently aligned aerodynamics and compound for very powerful vehicles.

The SportContact 7 Force serves as the enabling interface between driver intent and the road, turning bold ideas into confident handling. By pairing a sentimental heritage with a modern performance brief, the tyre translates raw power into high-speed stability. This launch marks another chapter in a decades-long technical story focused on delivering everyday performance.

Dr Marian Graßmann, Senior Tyre Developer, Continental Germany, said, "With the SportContact 7 Force, we are taking the performance of our most successful UUHP tyre to an even sportier level. The combination of adaptive tread pattern, advanced Harmonised BlackChili compound and vehicle-specific design enables handling that remains precise, stable and controllable under extreme conditions. Balancing everyday use with racetrack competence was our development target. Our tyres are the first with specification marking for BRABUS, showing that not only is the vehicle tailored made but the tyres are special too.”

Dipl.-Ing. Jörn Gander, Chief Technology Officer, BRABUS, said, “The BRABUS BODO embodies modern coachbuilding at the highest level – down to the very last detail. Together with Continental, we created a bespoke tyre technology that perfectly combines performance, control and character. The BB signature on the sidewall makes visible what sets this project apart: genuine individual development rather than compromise.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!