Winter break: this is how you store your tires properly over the winter
When the temperatures get cool in autumn, you should equip your vehicle with winter tires. But what should you do with the tires that are removed from the car? Here are a few tips on how to properly store your tires. UV radiation, heat, ozone and moisture are just a few of the factors that influence the aging process of a tire. However, you can extend the life of your tires if you store them properly.
1. Clean tires properly
Often times, when you take tires off your car, this is the best time to clean them. Tires can be easily cleaned with mild soap and water. The wheels can also be cleaned with a non-corrosive, non-acidic wheel cleaner. Do not use a detergent that needs to be removed within a few minutes, as this is usually an acid-based product. Do not use solvents such as tire polish before storing your tires. Make sure tires are cool to the touch before cleaning and completely dry before storing.
2. Mark the tires correctly and pack them in bags
Mark the tires with their position before removing them. This is best done with grease chalk on the inner running surface and the markings VR, VL, HL, HR. “VR” stands for “front right”, “HL” for “rear left” etc. This means that you can later assign or swap the positions of the individual wheels on the vehicle.
Pack the tires in large, airtight garbage bags (lawn and leaf bags are also good here). Professionals use special tire bags that protect both the tires from environmental influences and their base from dirt. The large range of Workshop requirements from HERMANN In addition to tire bags, it also has other great offers for the wheel changing season. Once the tires have been packed into the bags, remove as much air as possible and seal the bag tightly with tape. If the tires are wet or covered in snow, let them dry completely before packing them to avoid moisture in the bags.
3. Store in a cool, dry place
Tire rubber becomes porous and brittle due to heat and light, so the tires should be stored in a cool, dark and dry place. A basement, garage or a well-air-conditioned hobby room works best, whereas a garden shed, carport or attic often have large temperature differences and high humidity. Do not expose the tires to direct sunlight. The UV rays and the heat of the sun are harmful to tire rubber. Do not store your tires near electric motors, ovens, central vacuum systems, and dirty water pumps as they are sources of ozone.
4. Store tires with and without rims correctly
While the tips given above for winter and Summer tires are the same, different storage requirements apply to tires that are on rims.
Complete wheels – it is best to store them horizontally
- must not be stored upright
- can be hung up during storage
- can be stacked on top of each other
Tires without rims – best to store upright
- should not be stacked on top of each other
- should not be hung up during storage
- should stand upright next to each other
If possible, store the tires without rims in an upright position instead of stacking them on top of each other in order to reduce the load. If you have an open shelf with a few empty compartments, it is best to store the tires there. They can also be leaned against a wall, but must be turned a little every week so that there are no pressure points. Also, place them on a clean wooden pallet rather than directly on the floor to protect them from the cold of the ground.
The tires age over time, regardless of the stress. However, these few tips will help slow the process down and extend the life of your tires during storage. Before you mount your stored tires back on your vehicle, make sure that a tire specialist checks the tires first.