Storing car tires properly is essential to maintain their condition and extend their lifespan, ensuring they perform safely when re-installed. The key steps involve cleaning, protecting, and finding the right storage location.
Preparing Your Tires for Storage
Before putting your tires away for the season or any extended period, a little preparation goes a long way.
- Clean Thoroughly: Wash off any brake dust, dirt, mud, or road grime from both the tires and the wheels (if they are still mounted). Use soap and water, and ensure they are completely dry before proceeding. This prevents corrosion on the wheels and deterioration of the rubber.
- Inspect for Damage: While cleaning, take the opportunity to inspect each tire for cuts, cracks, bulges, or uneven wear. Note any issues so you can address them before the next driving season.
Packaging for Protection
Proper packaging is crucial for preserving the rubber and preventing the evaporation of oils that keep the tire flexible.
- Use Airtight Bags: After cleaning and ensuring the tires are dry, place each tire in its own large, airtight plastic bag (lawn and leaf bags work well here) for storing.
- Remove Air & Seal: Avoid any moisture in the bag and remove as much air as possible. Close the bag tightly with tape to create a personal space for each tire.
- Why Bagging Helps: This method helps to reduce oil evaporation, keeping the rubber healthier during storage.
Choosing the Right Storage Location
Where you store your tires is just as important as how you package them.
- Ideal Conditions: The best place to store tires is in a cool, dry, dark, and well-ventilated area.
- Cool: Avoid excessive heat or freezing temperatures. A consistent moderate temperature is ideal.
- Dry: Moisture can damage tires and wheels. Avoid damp basements or leaky sheds.
- Dark: Direct sunlight and UV rays can crack and degrade rubber over time.
- Well-Ventilated: Prevents the buildup of ozone, which can also damage rubber.
- Avoid Chemicals: Keep tires away from solvents, fuels, oils, greases, and other chemicals that can degrade the rubber compound.
Storage Orientation
How you position the tires depends on whether they are mounted on wheels or not.
| Tire Type | Recommended Storage Orientation | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Tires WITH Wheels | Stack horizontally (stacking loose tires is not recommended). | Hanging from hooks or standing vertically. |
| Tires WITHOUT Wheels | Stand vertically side-by-side or store on tire racks/shelves. | Stacking horizontally for long periods. |
- Loose Tires: Standing loose tires upright is generally preferred as it puts less stress on the tire structure over time compared to stacking them flat.
- Mounted Tires: Stacking tires mounted on wheels is acceptable because the wheel provides support.
Following these steps, including properly bagging each tire as recommended, will help ensure your car tires remain in good condition while stored, ready for reliable use when you need them again.
