How to Store Those Tires ‘Til Spring

Winter’s on its way, and you’ll be wanting to put winter tires on your vehicle soon. Do you know the best way to store those all-season tires until spring?

• • Don’t stack your tires…it’s not good for them. They should be standing straight up.
  • Don’t apply a tire dressing to each tire. It’s not needed.
  • Ozone is bad for the rubber compound in tires; don’t store your tires near electric motors such as the furnace blower or sump pump.
  • Store each tire in a garbage bag or specially-designed tire storage bag. Better yet, use the type of storage bags that can be vacuum-sealed using a wet-dry vac. That way, each tire is sealed in its own mini-atmosphere for the winter months.
  • Brush off any brake dust, dirt or road grime before storing the tires. Use soap and water with a tire brush, and dry the tires thoroughly with a towel. If the tires are still mounted on rims, use a wheel brush and clean the rims as well.
  • Store tires out of direct sunlight. UV rays and radiant heat are harmful to the tires’ rubber compound.
  • If you’ve got whitewall or white-letter tires, remember to store them black-surface to black-surface. Storing the black surface against the white letters can result in blemishes to the white material.

Do you have a good set of winter tires for the tough months ahead? Make an appointment with us at The Tire Terminal in Mississauga, ON!