Seasonally storing tires is an excellent idea for many car owners as it allows them to preserve the tires and use them at peak performance in ideal conditions. But when you take them out of storage, they must be safe for use before putting them back on your vehicle. In this guide, we’ll explain what drivers need to know about removing tires from storage and how to ensure they’re road-ready after months of hibernation.

How Seasonal Shifts Impact Tire Performance

The primary reason many drivers store their tires seasonally is because of how the weather affects them. The winter and summer months can negatively hinder and degrade regular, all-season tires with intense climate conditions.

How Winter Affects Tire Performance

Winter tires use special rubber compounds to stay soft in cold conditions, providing a better grip on icy or snowy roads. However, once temperatures rise, these tires wear out faster because of increased friction, reducing their lifespan and performance.

How Summer Affects Tire Performance

Summer tires excel in warmer conditions, offering optimal grip and handling on dry or wet roads. But when the cold weather returns, these tires lose traction on icy or snowy surfaces, compromising safety and performance.

Why Seasonal Tire Storage Is a Smart Choice

Having multiple sets of tires for your car is an excellent way to ensure you maximize the grip, durability, and performance of the tires. From preserving your tires to preventing unnecessary wear, there are many reasons seasonal tire storage is a smart choice.

Keep Tires in Peak Condition

Storing unused tires properly ensures they stay in excellent shape. Proper storage protects them from cracking, flattening, or degrading due to exposure to elements like ozone, UV rays, or fluctuating temperatures. This helps maintain their performance and longevity.

Prevent Unnecessary Wear and Tear

By storing tires in the right conditions, you avoid unnecessary damage, preserving their quality. This saves you from the expense of early replacements and ensures your tires are ready to perform safely when you need them.

Proper Tire Storage Practices

The best way to ensure your tires are road-ready after storage is to ensure you store them correctly. From the storage space to their positioning, there are many things car owners must keep in mind to preserve their tires’ quality in storage.

Choosing the Right Storage Space

Good tire storage involves more than simply stacking them in the garage or leaving them in a corner. Tires should be kept in clean, cool, and dry spaces, away from direct sunlight, extreme temperatures, and fluctuating conditions.

Prolonged exposure to heat, cold, or UV rays can weaken the rubber and shorten the lifespan of your tires. For optimal protection, a climate-controlled environment is ideal, as it preserves the rubber’s durability and prevents cracking or hardening over time.

Preparing Tires for Storage

Before storing your tires, it is crucial to clean them thoroughly to remove dirt, grime, brake dust, and other contaminants that can degrade the rubber. Use a mild soap and water solution and ensure the tires are completely dry before storing them.

Moisture left on the tires can cause mold or damage during storage. Cleaning your tires properly prevents long-term deterioration and ensures they are ready for use when you need them again.

Protect From Air and Humidity

Air and humidity are two of the biggest threats to tire longevity. To ideally protect your tires, you can store them in airtight, heavy-duty bags or special tire totes that minimize oxygen exposure. You can also use vacuum-sealed bags for an added layer of protection.

Covering them with thick, protective materials like plastic sheeting or tarps can also help reduce exposure to air and moisture. This extra step preserves their condition and extends their lifespan, ensuring they remain in peak shape when it’s time to put them back in your vehicle.

How To Position Tires for Storage

How you position your tires also affects their quality in storage, particularly if you’re storing tires with attached wheel rims or the tires by themselves.

With rims: If your tires are mounted on rims, keep them inflated to the recommended pressure to prevent deformation. Lay them flat if needed, but stacking too many can cause pressure on the lower tires, so minimize the number of tires in a single stack.

Without rims: If your tires are without rims, always store them upright and never stack them horizontally. Upright positioning prevents potential distortion and maintains the integrity of the sidewalls. Consider rotating their position slightly every few months to minimize pressure on one side and keep them in great condition.

The Ultimate Post-Storage Inspection Checklist

Even when employing proper storage practices, every car owner should conduct a thorough inspection of the tires after taking them out of hibernation to ensure they’re safe to use. Some of the things to put on your post-storage tire checklist include the following points.

1. Tread Depth

Start by inspecting the tread depth, as it’s a key indicator of tire safety and performance. Tires with less than 2/32 of an inch of tread are unsafe, especially in wet or slippery conditions. You can use a tread depth gauge for a precise measurement or the penny test. Run your fingers over the tread to feel for any uneven wear or irregularities, which might indicate alignment or suspension issues.

2. Sidewalls

Examine the sidewalls carefully for cracks, bulges, or cuts. Cracks can develop due to exposure to sunlight, extreme temperatures, or improper storage, and even small ones may lead to air leaks or dangerous blowouts.

Bulges or weak spots often indicate internal damage to the tire, which may occur from hitting potholes or curbs. Cuts or abrasions can also make the tire prone to failure. If you spot any of these issues, you’ll have to consider different tires, as sidewall damage is irreparable for tires.

3. Tire Pressure

Tires naturally lose air over time, so you’ll need to check and reinflate the tires upon removing them from storage. Use a reliable tire pressure gauge and compare the PSI (pounds per square inch) to the car manufacturer’s recommended levels.

Underinflated tires wear out faster, generate more heat, and reduce fuel efficiency, while overinflated tires have less grip, provide a bumpier ride, and are more likely to skid. Also, remember to check tire pressure when the tires are cold for the most accurate reading.

4. Valve Stems

Don’t overlook the valve stems, as they play a crucial role in maintaining tire pressure. Check for any signs of leaks, cracking, or dry rot on the stems or the caps.

Damaged valve stems can allow air to escape, even if the tire itself is in good condition. Tighten or replace the valve caps to keep dirt and moisture out, as these can corrode the valve over time.

Find New Tires for Your Car at RNR Tire Express

If you’re ready to outfit your car with seasonally appropriate tires, we can help. We have plenty of seasonal tires in Laredo available, whether you need summer tires, winter tires, all-terrain tires, or something else! Browse our inventory online or schedule an appointment with one of our tire experts today.

Locations: Laredo, TX