How to Store Tires with Storage Racks in Your Garage

You might not think about them much, but tires are a very important part of any car. If you consider the tire’s role in driving, your car is pretty much useless without them. As long as the car is running, you can probably get it to a garage if a part fails; but lose a tire, and you’re pretty much stuck right there. So tires deserve the same care and maintenance as any other part of your car, and that maintenance should not end just because you are going to store the car, or the tires themselves.

Tires will wear out even if you never move the car they are placed on; in fact having the static weight of the car sitting on the tires can cause flat spots to form. So if you are going to store the car for extended periods, raise the tires off the ground and place the car on a secure foundation, such as jack stands.

Tires stored off the vehicle need special attention as well. Air, water, and light are harmful to a tire. Manufacturers try to combat these factors by impregnating the tire with substances to reduce environmental effects on the tire itself. As with any substance, it will wear out over time, even if the tire is not used. To help slow this progression, store mounted tires either upright or stacked on their sides, in an aired-down condition. Place them in opaque bags, such as dark trash bags, and seal the open end with tape. This will protect the tire from light and moisture, and keep them in their own atmosphere. It is best to place the bags in a climate controlled area, such as a basement. Storing even properly prepared tires in a poor environment that experiences cycles of heat and cold, or dampness, can still negatively affect the tire.

Tires stored off the rims need the same bag treatment as above, but additionally you want to protect them from being deformed. Squeezing them into a corner or stacking heavy objects on top of them, can cause a tire to deform. While rubber does retain its shape, there are belts inside of a tire that may be less forgiving of being deformed. When these tires are mounted and put back into service, they can cause undesirable vibrations to occur in the car. If you have several tires to store, you should consider getting a tire rack to place the tires in. Tire racks come in different sizes, and place the tire in optimum position for storage.

For any tire being stored, you want to wash and dry the tire before it is placed in a bag or a rack. Scrub the tire well, to remove any brake dust or other dirt that may have accumulated on the tire. Same goes for the wheel if the tire is mounted. Avoid putting any dressing on the tire prior to storage, as the tires already have substances in them to combat wear from the elements.

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