Tire Storage Tips

[KRRZ350]

Found this interesting: Original Link

The storage of tires requires particular care. If tires are not stored properly, not only will there be
deterioration in their appearance, there may be a loss in performance and compound integrity.
CONSIDERATIONS / INSPECTIONS
• Tire treads and side walls are constructed from compounds that resist deterioration caused by
sunlight, ozone, and extreme temperatures. Nevertheless, stored tires should be protected against
these and other potentially damaging conditions. The longer the storage period, the greater exposure
there is to potential damage; so it is always advisable to use first the tires that have been in storage
the longest.
• Store tires in an area that is clean, cool, dark, and well ventilated, but with a minimum of circulating
air. Avoid areas that are wet, humid, oily, greasy, or in direct sunlight. Do not store in the same
area as an electric motor or other ozone generating source. If there is a question, check the ozone
level to be sure it does not exceed 0.08 ppm.
• Do not store tires directly on black asphalt or other heat-absorbent surfaces. Avoid storage adjacent
to highly reflective surfaces.
• As a rule, tires should be stored in an upright position to prevent distortion or disfiguration and to
make mounting work easier. If it is necessary to store tires in a horizontal position, be sure to stack
passenger car and light truck radial tires no higher than one meter (@ 3 feet), and radial truck tires
no higher than one and one-half meters ( 4 1/2 feet).
• When storing tires that have been inflated, deflate to fifty percent of the normal pressure. Keep
valve caps in place.
WHITEWALL/RAISED WHITE LETTER TIRES
Store unwrapped whitewall/raised white letter tires with white sidewalls facing each other to avoid
staining them through contact with the black rubber of the other tires.
PRIOR TO MOUNTING STORED TIRES
Tire interior should be inspected, to determine the air chamber is free of debris, dirt and moisture.
Dirt and debris can block the tire valve after mounting. Moisture can permeate the casing and
initiate oxidation (rust) of steel cords, which reduces tire strength and casing integrity.
TIRES INSTALLED ON VEHICLES
Storage area should be level, well drained. Care should be taken to avoid prolonged contact with
petroleum based substances: oils, fuels and asphalt.
Long term storage, or storage of seasonal vehicles; i.e. RV's, boat trailers and show cars requires special
preparations. Vehicles should be raised on blocks, so weight is removed from the tires.
TECHNICAL SERVICES BULLETIN Tire Storage Recommendations
11/21/2002
TIRE STORAGE RECOMMENDATIONS - Page 2
If blocking is not possible, tire pressure should be increased 25% from inflation required for the loaded
vehicle. Vehicles should be moved every three months to prevent flat spotting and ozone cracking at the
tire sidewall flex point. Flat spots usually disappear, when the tires warm-up, after a 25+ mile drive.
Flat spotting, which occurs on vehicles not moved for six, or more months may not disappear.
Tires on vehicles stored out-of-doors, should be protected by opaque covers to prevent damage from
sunlight.
PRIOR TO RETURNING VEHICLES TO SERVICE
Tire pressure needs to be adjusted to required inflation before the vehicle is returned to service.
REPLACEMENT OF TIRES ON FREQUENTLY STORED VEHICLES
Owners of RV's, boat trailers, show cars etc. should have their tires inspected by a qualified tire dealer,
if sidewall cracking and crazing occurs. Remaining tread wear is a poor gauge of tire serviceability on
these vehicles. Over time, the bonds between the rubber and reinforcing materials deteriorate,
regardless of remaining tread. Unserviceable tires should be scrapped, by cutting beads, or cutting
through sidewalls, to prevent re-use by unsuspecting persons.

[BEJAY1]

Disagree with storage directon. Horizontal is preferred per TireRack, Hoosier, and others. Much more deformation when standing them vertically unmounted.

Not mentioned too is never use tire dressings/shine as they'll dry out the sidewalls faster.

I found 55 gal heavy black contractor bags work best combined with vacuum sealing.

[MrDicks95SE]

Originally Posted by BEJAY1

Disagree with storage directon. Horizontal is preferred per TireRack, Hoosier, and others. Much more deformation when standing them vertically unmounted.

Not mentioned too is never use tire dressings/shine as they'll dry out the sidewalls faster.

I found 55 gal heavy black contractor bags work best combined with vacuum sealing.

+1 on horizontally stored. not vertically.

[graysky]

Great post. I store my car about 50 % of the year splitting the miles up between it and another vehicle. Long story short, I had to replace the tires (only 10k miles on them) last month because they wouldn't balance up. The tire shop said they were defective and had severe hop. They even road force balanced them and the ride was terrible. Noise, vibration, etc.

I remember the ride quality being in the toilet when got it out of storage after sitting for 5-6 months. I believe I had definite flat spots on the tires that stayed for about 30 highway miles.

My question for the group: what are the cheapest option for wheels for the expressed purpose of long-term storage? I would gladly buy bald tires from a tire shop because I literally wouldn't drive on them more than 10 feet to park it in the garage for storage.

[Maxgig]

Good info. But from my experience I've found it best to store them mounted on rims and inflated to 5 to 10 psi above the recommended pressure. I also use a tire holder that keeps them off the ground and not touching or rubbing against each other. Using my holder I can store them for a much longer period with no ill effects.