With the first warmer days and the calendar end of winter, for most drivers one season ends and preparation for another begins. Replacing winter tires with summer tires is a routine job, but the story does not end there. What to do with the winter set? Many people will simply put it in a corner of the garage, basement or on the balcony, not thinking that proper storage is essential to preserve their performance, but also for their own safety.
Improperly stored tires lose their properties, deform and become unusable, which means that next season you will have to invest in a new set. The simple truth is – in order for the tires to protect you, you have to protect them.
Preparation is half the job
Before you send your tires on a well-deserved vacation, they need to be properly prepared. Do not skip this step, as it largely depends on what condition you will find them in in a few months. The first and basic task is thorough cleaning. Salt, mud, brake dust and oil residues accumulate on the tires during the winter. All these substances have an aggressive effect on the rubber compound and can damage it during several months of standing. Wash them with a mild detergent and water, paying special attention to the grooves from which all stones and foreign bodies should be removed. After washing, it is essential that the tires are completely dry to prevent rim corrosion and mold formation.
While the tires are still clean, take the opportunity for a detailed inspection. Check them for cracks, cuts or bumps. Run your hand over the entire surface, inside and out. Any damage is a sign of alarm and potential risk in the next season. Finally, don’t forget to mark the position of each tire on the vehicle (eg PL for front left, ZD for rear right). This will allow you to rotate them properly next season, ensuring more even wear and extending their life.
Ideal conditions for winter sleep
Tires are sensitive to the environment they are in, even when they are at rest. In order to keep their original properties, they need to be provided with suitable conditions. The storage area must be cool, dry and dark. The biggest enemies of tires are high temperature, humidity, sunlight and certain chemicals. The ideal temperature for storage is around 15 degrees Celsius, while temperatures above 25 degrees significantly accelerate the aging process, and the rubber becomes brittle.
Direct sunlight, i.e. UV radiation, breaks down the polymers in the rubber and causes the appearance of small cracks. Equally harmful is ozone, which is produced by devices such as electric motors or compressors. Therefore, keep tires away from such sources and cover them with opaque but breathable bags or covers. Also, make sure that they do not come into contact with chemicals such as oil, solvents, gasoline or grease, as their vapors can damage the rubber compound. Avoid storing them directly on a concrete floor that can draw moisture, it is better to place them on a piece of cardboard or a wooden pallet.
With rims or without? It doesn’t matter how they stand
The way you physically position the tires depends on whether you store them with or without rims, and the wrong choice can lead to permanent deformation.
If you store the tires together with the rims, the best way is to stack them horizontally, one on top of the other, in a tower of no more than four pieces. It is good practice to put a piece of cardboard between each tire for extra protection. Another correct method is hanging on special wall hooks that pass through the opening of the rim. What you must not do is store them upright, because the weight of the entire wheel will put pressure on a small surface area, which will deform the tire over time. Before storage, it is recommended to increase the pressure in them by about 0.5 bar compared to the prescribed one.
If you store only tires, without rims, the rules are completely opposite. It is only correct to keep them in a vertical, upright position, next to each other, just as they are in the store. Never stack them on top of each other or hang them, because their internal structure will deform under their own weight. In order to avoid pressure on the same point, it is recommended to rotate them by a quarter of a circle once a month.