What to put under your tires when storing?

Air up the tires before winter car storage (don't exceed the maximum inflation) and if possible, park the vehicle on squares of two-inch foam board insulation. This will help lessen the chance that the tires will develop flat spots from sitting for months.

What can I put under my tires when I keep my car outside?

If you are parking your vehicle out on a dirt or gravel driveway, roll out heavy plastic sheeting or a plastic tarp about the size of the car. This will minimize moisture coming up from the ground. Chock/block the wheels if you are worried about the car rolling.

How do I prepare my tires for storage?

Store your tires indoors in a clean, cool and dark location away from direct sunlight, sources of heat and ozone such as hot pipes or electric generators. If you are storing outdoors (recommended for a short time only), raise tires off the ground and use waterproof covering with holes to prevent moisture build-up.

How do you keep tires from getting flat spots in storage?

Is it okay to store tires on concrete?

Note: It's also best to place the tires on top of a piece of wood, or other barrier rather than directly on the ground or concrete. This will help protect against excessive moisture gathering on the tires. Alternatively, you can use one of the many commercially available tire racks which are garage/wall mounted.

Top 10 Tips For Storing Your Tires

Is there a way to keep tires from dry rotting?

Store the vehicle out of direct sunlight. Cover the vehicle and tires to protect from any unnecessary UV rays. If the weight cannot be removed from the tires, move the vehicle at least every three months to shift the weight on the tires.

Do tires dry rot in storage?

Tires are kept moist by oils and resins that are mixed in with the rubber during the manufacturing process. These oils and resins are only activated when a tire is in motion. Therefore, tires that are immobile for an extended period of time (such as stored tires) are more prone to developing dry rotting.

How long can tires sit unused?

If not used, tires last for 6-10 years, depending on the storage and environmental conditions. Overall, the time limits for stored tires are much the same as for tires that are being used.

How do you prevent flat spots on tires in winter storage?

Keep tires out of direct sunlight while in storage to prevent UV damage that dries out and deteriorates rubber over time. This can be achieved either by applying a UV tint to your garage windows, or covering up your tires.

Should tires be stored in plastic bags?

How should tires be covered up for storage? Tires should be sealed in airtight plastic bags, which protect them from changes in humidity. You can store your tires inside regular lawn and garden bags if you remove as much air as possible from them before placing the tires inside.

How much air should be in tires for storage?

Tires stored while mounted on rims should be inflated to 10 psi. Tires that are put in storage during warm weather should be inflated to about 15 psi to offset the pressure drop during cold weather months.

Should tire storage be vertical or horizontal?

If possible, store tires vertically rather than stacking horizontally to reduce stress and tire distortion. Also, place on a piece of clean wood and not directly on the ground.

What is the best surface to store a car on?

Concrete flooring is best because it transmits a limited amount of moisture. Some people will even park their car on plastic with a layer of carpet on top of it to reduce moisture under the car. Parking your car on a dirt or gravel surface for extended periods of time is never a good idea.

What happens if you don't drive your car for 6 months?

Cars are designed to be driven, not to sit idle for months. When left unused, engine fluids start to break down, parts that aren't getting lubricated begin to corrode, and even worse, animals may move in, chewing on anything they can reach.

Is it OK to store a car on gravel?

Gravel would be better than parking on dirt, mud, straight grass, or anything with a lot of water in it.

Should tires be stored with air or without?

Find a large, airtight plastic bag to fit each tire. Try yard bags or leaf bags. Ensure the bag (and tire) is free of moisture, then remove as much air as possible from the bag (use your vacuum cleaner!) and tape it shut. This airtight environment will reduce evaporation of oils from the rubber compounds.

What protects rubber tires from dry rotting?

Ozone and ultraviolet (UV) light are the primary environmental causes of tire dry rot. Tire manufacturers blend chemical ingredients into the tire during the manufacturing process in an effort to combat dry rot caused by ozone and UV exposure. Carbon black is added to the rubber to protect the tires from UV light.

Does tire Slime work in the winter?

In fact, it is an environmentally safe formula, so it is non-toxic, non-hazardous and non-flammable. And we understand that flat tires happen regardless of how hot or cold the weather, so Slime is effective under the most extreme temperatures (low freezing point of -35˚F and a high separation point of 182˚F).

Are 20 year old tires still good?

Old tires are dangerous, regardless of tread depth. While there's no federally sanctioned safety guidance on when a tire is too old to be safe, many carmakers recommend replacement at six years from the date of manufacture. Old tires have been the culprit in fatal accidents.

Are tires still good after 5 years?

It may be tentative, but tires do have an expiration date. There is a general consensus that most tires should be inspected, if not replaced, at about six years and should be absolutely be swapped out after 10 years, regardless of how much tread they have left.

How should tires on rims be stored?

If you need to store tires that are mounted on rims, hang them up or stack them. Do not store them standing upright.

Should tires be deflated for storage?

Should You Store Tires Inflated or Deflated? Generally, it's okay to store your tires when they're still inflated. You never need to deflate them fully for long-term storage. To prep your tires for storage make sure to clean and dry them thoroughly before putting them away.

Can you spray WD40 on tires?

While there are some risks associated with using WD40 on your tires, it is generally considered to be safe. However, as we mentioned before, it is a petroleum-based product and can dry out your tires if used too frequently.

Do tires lose air when stored?

About 1-3 psi per month is normal for air loss, but you still should check inflation rates often, and re-inflate your tires. Neglecting tire inflation for 6 months may take out 6-18 psi, and with the most frequent recommended rate being 30-35 psi, this is a big loss.