Winter is approaching. November is here and it’s time to replace our summer tires with winter tires.
Reminder:The legal winter tire obligation lasts from November 1 to April 15!
ÖAMTC: Changing tires not required by law
Since you absolutely need to change the car tires, it would be beneficial to know how exactly to store tires ideally. With the right Storage you can be sure that the tires will be waiting for you in April in top condition and will also survive a few more winters. Here are 7 tips to properly store and care for your tires:
1. clean your tires.
Many people avoid cleaning the tires, nevertheless it is highly recommended as this has a great impact on the tires. In fact, the dust, dirt and grime over a long period of time causes severe damage to the tire. So grab a tire brush, some detergent and some water and give the tires and rims a little brush down before they go into storage. You can also clean the tires when they are still mounted on the car. However, this is up to everyone depending on their preference. However, make sure here that the tires before the storage are completely dry!
2. pack your tires safely.
Place your car tires in large, dark and preferably airtight plastic bags. Try to remove as much air as possible from the bags before sealing. Proper packaging helps reduce oil evaporation during storage.
3. store your tires in a dark environment.
Due to the dark color tires very easily absorb heat. This causes the rubber to decompose more quickly and the tires to wear more. This also brings us to the next tip:
4. store your tires in the right place.
It’s best to never leave tires out in the open. Even if they are packed in a protective cover, as described above. A climate-controlled room is ideal for storage. Cellars, garages and sheds are not the best solution, because they are exposed to unstable temperature and humidity fluctuations.
5. avoid exposure to chemicals.
The chemical ozone is by far the biggest problem in this case. Be sure to keep your tires away from machines that can generate ozone. These include, for example, electric motors, furnaces, compressors, sump pumps and many more. It is best to find out which machines you store with the tires can produce these chemicals. This way you are on the safe side. In addition, the tires should also not come into contact with other solvents, fuels and lubricants. These are just as harmful to the tires.
6. use one of the three storage options for your winter tires.
You basically have three options for storing your tires – standing, stacking or hanging. The storing the tires standing represents the least stress on your tires and is therefore often considered the best option. Stacking the tires is also a good solution. In this case, you have to be especially careful not to stack the tires too high. If stacked too high, you risk the tires tipping over and causing damage. Moreover, in this case the weight on the lower tires is too great and they can easily change their shape. Hanging the tires is also a good solution, but not everyone has this option and it is a bit more cumbersome. Here it is important to note that only previously mounted tires should be hung, otherwise there is a risk of distorting the tires.
7. keep the following in mind when storing your vehicle.
If you want to store your car and not just the tires, you should take the car for a short drive every now and then to relieve the tires. By driving, you actually relieve the tires of the constant pressure of the car’s weight and help keep the tire’s rubber compounds lubricated. Again, if you store the car outdoors, be sure to cover the tires to protect them from direct sunlight.
Bonus Tip – Whitewall Tires
If you are a proud owner of whitewall tires, we have another tip for you. White on white. Black on black. When stacking the whitewall tires, ideally the white and black sides should always touch. This stacking technique helps to keep the white areas of the tire, spotless and clean without much effort.
Follow these 7 tips (plus the bonus tip) to significantly extend the life of your tires. If you take proper care of your tires and store them properly, you can save unnecessary costs in the future, and you won’t have to worry about new tires for a long time.
The storage compartments at STORE ROOM naturally offer optimal conditions for the storage of tires . From temperature, to humidity, to sun protection, everything is ideally regulated to let your tires winter with a clear conscience.
Your STORE ROOM Team 🤖
