India is losing more than 425.7 million litres of petrol worth over INR 45 billion each year because of underinflated tyres, according to a survey by the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers' Association (ATMA), which warned that poor tyre maintenance is also increasing road safety risks.

The findings come as higher crude oil prices and the continuing West Asia conflict put additional pressure on fuel costs, making fuel efficiency an increasingly important concern for motorists.

The tyre health survey, conducted by the Indian Tyre Technical Advisory Committee (ITTAC), ATMA's technical arm, found that a significant proportion of passenger vehicles on Indian roads are operating with tyre pressures below manufacturers' recommended levels.

More than 130,000 passenger vehicle tyres, including those fitted to two-wheelers, have been inspected across India over the past few years, including nearly 100,000 during the past year. The survey found that 32 percent of tyres had air pressure more than 20 percent below the recommended level, while a further 21 percent were between 10 percent and 20 percent below the recommended pressure.

According to international studies cited by ATMA, every one PSI reduction in tyre pressure reduces fuel efficiency by about 0.2 percent. Based on the survey findings, the association estimates that underinflated tyres account for fuel efficiency losses equivalent to around 0.75 percent of India's total fuel consumption by vehicles.

With India's annual petrol consumption estimated at 56.77 billion litres, almost all of which is used by passenger vehicles, including two-wheelers, this equates to an annual loss of around 425.7m litres of petrol. At current retail fuel prices, the value of the wasted fuel exceeds INR 45 billion annually.

ATMA said the estimate covers only petrol consumption and excludes diesel-, CNG- and LPG-powered passenger vehicles, suggesting that the overall national fuel loss is likely to be even higher.

The association said the fuel loss assumes greater significance because India imports more than 80 percent of its crude oil requirements. Avoidable fuel consumption not only increases costs for consumers but also adds to the country's oil import bill and foreign exchange outgo.

Renji Issac, chairman of ITTAC, said: "The survey highlights a hidden but significant drain on both household budgets and the national economy. At a time when fuel prices have gone up owing to West Asia conflict, maintaining the correct tyre pressure is one of the simplest and most effective ways to improve fuel efficiency and reduce fuel expenses. The low inflation pressure also increases the emissions resulting in more atmospheric pollution."

Apart from the economic impact, the association said underinflated tyres generate excessive heat, reduce vehicle handling and braking performance, increase stopping distances and make tyres more susceptible to damage or sudden failure, particularly during high-speed driving. Low tyre pressure also accelerates uneven tyre wear, shortening tyre life and increasing replacement costs.

Sudershan S Gusain, chairman of ATMA's Safety Awareness Group, said: "Apart from the economic cost, low tyre pressure also has serious safety implications. Tyres operating below the recommended pressure generate excessive heat, adversely affect vehicle handling and braking performance, increase stopping distances and are more susceptible to tyre damage or sudden failure, particularly during high-speed travel. Low tyre pressure also accelerates uneven tyre wear, reducing tyre life and increasing replacement costs."

ATMA said a tyre pressure check takes only a few minutes but can improve fuel efficiency, extend tyre life, reduce emissions and enhance road safety. The association advised motorists to check tyre pressure every fortnight, preferably when tyres are cold, and to maintain the pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.

The association also urged electric vehicle owners to pay attention to tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) alerts. While most EVs display tyre pressure on the dashboard, these warnings are often ignored because drivers make fewer visits to fuel stations. Maintaining the correct tyre pressure improves vehicle range, tyre life, safety and environmental performance, ATMA said.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

FALKEN has secured original equipment supply approval from Audi for its AZENIS FK520 summer tyre, which will be fitted to the premium brand’s flagship SUVs, the Q7 and Q9. Production begins in May 2026, with the tyres carrying the R0 designation to mark the Audi-specific fitment. The deal reinforces FALKEN’s standing in the premium original equipment market.

The AZENIS FK520 (R0) comes in three sizes covering 20- to 22-inch wheel diameters, with vehicles assembled at Audi’s Bratislava plant in Slovakia. Buyers can inspect the fitted tyres and their EU tyre label data through Audi’s vehicle configurator. The ultra-high-performance tyre is built for sporty road cars, offered in reinforced Extra Load versions across all sizes and rated to Y speed specifications for up to 300 kmph, targeting drivers focused on stability, precision and safety.

FALKEN’s original equipment record with premium marques spans many years and includes Audi, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. The AZENIS FK510A SUV gained Porsche Macan approval in 2018, and the AZENIS FK520 (NG0) followed in 2026 for the Porsche Cayenne Electric. Since 2011 the brand has maintained a motorsport presence, campaigning a Porsche 911 GT3 R in the ADAC RAVENOL Nürburgring Endurance Series and the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring.

Christian Stolting, OE Sales Director, Dunlop Tyre Europe GmbH, said, “It is an important step for our original equipment business to fit the Q7 and Q9, two models of great importance to Audi, with the FALKEN AZENIS FK520 (R0) as a factory-fitted option. The choice of our tyres for these Audi models reflects confidence in the performance and quality of FALKEN in this segment.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has secured an original equipment supply deal with Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. for the automaker's new Fairlady Z, which reached the Japanese market in August 2026. Yokohama's ADVAN Sport V107 will be fitted in size 245/45R18 100W.

Belonging to Yokohama's flagship ADVAN range, the Sport V107 sits in the ultra-high-performance (UHP) segment aimed at premium vehicles. It is engineered to reconcile qualities that usually pull in opposite directions – combining confident dry and wet grip and stable steering with comfort and safety – and in this Fairlady Z application it pairs high-speed handling composure and quick steering response with a comfortable ride.

Nissan's new Fairlady Z carries forward its heritage-inspired design language alongside contemporary technology, and the model remains celebrated for its characteristic driving feel, with the refresh sharpening performance while honouring the nameplate's lineage. The fitment advances Yokohama Rubber's Yokohama Transformation 2026 medium-term plan covering 2024–2026, under which the consumer tyre business is working to lift the proportion of high-value-added tyres sold by winning original equipment contracts for its ADVAN range and its GEOLANDAR tyres for SUVs and pickup trucks.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Hankook Tire is now supplying its ultra-ultra-high-performance (UUHP) Ventus S1 evo Z tyres as original equipment for the new Porsche Panamera, expanding a relationship that dates to 2021. The fitment lineup adds 21-inch sizes – 275/35 ZR21 at the front and 325/30 ZR21 at the rear – alongside the 19- and 20-inch dimensions previously supplied. Every size carries Porsche-specific ND0 homologation markings on the sidewall, completing the Ventus S1 evo Z range across 19 to 21 inches.

Engineered to balance ride comfort with dynamic driving performance for the Panamera, the tyre was validated beyond standard segment homologation tests. Hankook subjected it to maximum-speed testing at Germany's Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit to confirm structural robustness and its ability to meet high-performance sports driving demands.

The Ventus S1 evo Z incorporates an asymmetric tread pattern for exceptional handling and stable grip, with tread blocks engineered to maintain optimal stiffness under varying conditions. Three main grooves on the inner tread improve wet-road water drainage, while a larger outer tread block area enhances cornering performance and dry-road grip. A double-layer carcass reinforced with aramid hybrid fibres bolsters high-speed stability by minimising heat-induced deformation, helping preserve precise steering response. High-strength steel belts and beads, together with a reinforced sidewall structure, further sharpen straight-line stability and handling precision.

The tyre is currently supplied as original equipment to global premium automakers for high-performance vehicles. In the replacement market, it is offered in 15 sizes from 18 to 21 inches, with widths of 225 to 315 mm and aspect ratios of 30 to 45. In July 2026, the Ventus S1 evo Z was also selected as an OE fitment for Porsche's iconic 911 Carrera sports car.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Continental has secured original-equipment approval for the fully electric Volvo EX60, with its EcoContact 7 S tyre line homologated across numerous countries worldwide. Approval covers the sporty summer tyre for the electric SUV. Two fitments were sanctioned: 235/55 R20 for the front axle and 255/50 R20 for the rear axle.

Both approved versions carry an integrated rim protector, a reinforced sidewall area that lowers the risk of rim damage from accidental curb contact. This protective feature strengthens the sidewall zone, guarding the wheel rim against unintended impacts during everyday driving situations.

A sporty summer tyre, the EcoContact 7 S targets low rolling resistance, high mileage and minimal rolling noise. Its optimised compound and construction cut energy consumption, and the sportier S variant of the EcoContact 7 also stresses wet grip and handling for a direct, responsive feel, bearing an EV-compatible sidewall logo identifying electric vehicle suitability.

A golf-inspired principle boosts efficiency: Aerodimples, tiny sidewall indentations mimicking a golf ball's surface, reduce air turbulence behind the tyres, so less energy keeps the vehicle moving. A specially tuned tread pattern also curbs rolling noise, especially at low urban speeds, cutting noise pollution for pedestrians and nearby residents.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!