Aftermarket

- Alloys

There is a plethora of choice and designs available in the market today from a number of manufacturers. You can pick the one the one that looks the best and suits your pocket.

Nitrogen

You might be aware that purified nitrogen has been used to inflate tyres on aircraft and racing cars for many years but does it really make sense for ordinary car and van tyres?

The air we breath (and the normal compressed air used to inflate tyres) contains 78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen and 1% other gases but some tyre specialists are now offering - at a premium - to inflate tyres with pure nitrogen.

For passenger car tyres the main claims seem to be:

Less corrosion - because unlike air there's no moisture in pure nitrogen

Slower rate of pressure loss – nitrogen molecules are larger than oxygen molecules

Nitrogen has its advantages. Nitrogen is more stable than air. Tire pressure will not change with the temperature. It is less likely to leak from a tire but it is relatively expensive. Air is usually free and can be found at most gas stations.

- Tyre sealants

A sealant is basically a liquid compound that is used in places like small holes or spaces to prevent entry of matter particles. Most tyre sealants use the force of gravity combined with adhesive qualities and air pressure to prevent the escape of air from the tyre. Tyre sealants usually fall under two categories

Pre-emptive sealants

Pre-emptive tyre sealants, as the name suggests are sealants that you can inject into your tyres before an actual puncture. Pre-emptive sealants cover the inside of your tyres and in case of a puncture the sealant will cover up the damaged area and decrease the rate of air flow so you can go ahead and get it repaired without the hassle of running to a repair centre immediately.
Using this form of sealants is a great way to ensure you are fully prepared in case you get a flat tyre and don't have a spare. However don't get into a rush to go out and buy one for your car.

Post-emptive sealants

Post-emptive sealants are used after a tyre has been punctured or damaged. Most of the sealants in the market are this kind and have similar application methods to the pre-emptive sealants. If you detect a puncture in your tyre, you can introduce the sealant through the tyre valve and re-inflate your tyre. This can be done with tyre plug kits that have both the sealant and an air pressure can to help you refill your tyre after it has been punctured. However if you plan on buying one, remember to read the specifications very carefully and buy the ones that are compatible with your tyre size.