How To Store Tires and Wheels
Proper tire storage of your seasonal tires and wheels can help them last longer and ensure they’re ready to go when you need them. Whether you have an extra set for winter or summer driving, taking the time to store them properly can protect your investment and make your next seasonal changeover a breeze. In this guide, we’ll cover how to store tires, from winter tire storage to choosing the right location and protecting them from environmental damage.
Store Your Tires with Les Schwab! Select locations can make storing your out-of-season tires and wheels easy until you need them again in the winter or spring. Learn more about this time and space-saving option.
When To Change Your Seasonal Tires
Knowing when to change your seasonal tires is crucial for maintaining optimal performance and extending their life. For winter tires, the best time to switch is when nighttime and early morning temperatures consistently stay at or near 40º F. If you live in a snowy region, switch to snow tires before the first big storm hits.
Please note: using winter tires in warmer conditions won’t ruin them overnight. But they will wear out faster as temperatures rise. Plus, using winter tires in warmer weather can reduce your overall driving performance and increase stopping distances.
For summer tires, the timing is just as important. As temperatures start to climb, summer tires offer better traction and handling when compared to winter tires. Be sure to make the switch as soon as temperatures consistently stay above 45º F.
Steps To Properly Store Your Tires
1. Choose the Right Storage Location
To get the most life out of your winter and summer tires, store them in a cool, dry place. If possible, avoid storing your tires outside in the elements. Repetitive exposure to UV rays can cause the rubber to deteriorate more quickly. While a carport can keep the rain, sunshine, and snow off your seasonal tires, storing them in a garage or shed, away from heaters and furnaces, is preferable. Additionally, keep them covered in a plastic bag.
2. Clean Your Tires Before Storage
Dirt, grime, and debris can build up over time, leading to potential damage. Properly cleaning your tires before storing them can add to their overall lifespan.
Remove Debris: Scrub tires and wheels with soap, water, and a tire brush to remove grime and debris.
Dry Them Completely: Let your tires dry before storage to prevent rust and corrosion on the wheels.
3. Maintain Proper Air Pressure During Storage
If your seasonal tires are mounted to their own wheels, maintaining the correct air pressure is essential to preserve their shape and integrity while in storage. That’s because properly inflated tires are less likely to develop flat spots or deform over time.
For Mounted Tires: Inflate your tires to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure to prevent flat spots.For Unmounted Tires: Store them upright if possible, or stack them no more than four tires high.
4. Bag and Protect Your Tires:
Properly bagging your tires before storage is an essential step in protecting them from environmental factors that can cause damage over time. This process helps maintain the integrity of the rubber and ensures your tires are ready for the next season.
Use Tire Bags:
Once your tires are clean and ready to be stored, store them in plastic bags. If you don’t have tire bags, large industrial garbage bags will also work. The goal is to keep dust, debris, and other harmful elements off your stored tires and wheels.
When you get your seasonal tires changed at Les Schwab, we’ll wrap each of your tires in an easy-to-spot yellow plastic bag. These help protect your tires from UV rays and the weather. They also keep you from getting dirty when you pick them up.
Consider Tire Totes:
As an alternative to standard bags, tire totes can be a nice option for storing and transporting your tires. Tire totes offer a layer of protection against dirt, UV rays, and physical damage.
5. Avoid Chemical Exposure
Maintaining a clean, chemical-free environment is essential for preserving the integrity and longevity of your stored tires. Certain chemicals, particularly ozone created by air purifiers, generators, and furnaces, can cause the rubber to crack and deteriorate over time.
Avoid Ozone Exposure: Keep your tires away from household items that emit ozone, such as generators, compressors, furnaces, switches, sump pumps, and central vacuum cleaners.
Steer Clear of Other Chemicals: Store your tires away from solvents, fuels, and lubricants that can damage the rubber.
6. Store Tires Properly: Stand, Stack, or Hang
At Les Schwab, you’ll notice that we store all of our tires upright. This method takes up less room and can often be better for the tires over a long period. However, aside from buying or building your own tire stand or hanging them from specialized hooks from the ceiling, most people just stack them sideways. Any of these methods will work, and over a handful of months, none will likely cause any damage to your tires. However, don’t stack tires more than four high to avoid injury if they fall. Additionally, if your tires are mounted to wheels, be sure they are properly inflated before stacking.
Benefits of Professional Tire Storage With Les Schwab
Storing your tires with Les Schwab can help free up some space at your home, keep dirty tires out of your vehicle, and make the next seasonal changeover quick and easy. Learn more about this time and space-saving option at select Les Schwab locations.
Keep Your Wheels On
When your winter tires are mounted on wheels (also known as rims), your tires will last longer, your seasonal changeovers will go a lot faster, and it will save you money in changeover fees. Switching yours is free at Les Schwab when you have your tires on their own set of wheels.
Need Help Storing Your Seasonal Tires and Wheels?
The professionals at Les Schwab Tires have been helping people switch to their winter and summer tires for decades. We’re here to help you, too. That includes storage of your seasonal tires.