How to store winter tires?
Spring is here, and with it comes the familiar period for all car enthusiasts, namely, the seasonal change of tires. This is a very important part of preparing your vehicle for the summer season. You need to carefully choose a place for tire fitting, but don't forget about the need to take care of storing your winter tires.
Yes, indeed, despite the fact that a tire seems to be just a black and rubber thing, what could happen to it? After all, it's always on the car, exposed to loads and weather cataclysms. Proper storage will help extend the life of your tires. The rubber compound contains a large number of various components that help it, but still, prolonged exposure to harmful factors can lead to defects. If the tire is dirty, it's worth washing it before storage, because there's a lot of chemistry on winter roads. After washing, it's worth carefully inspecting the tires for damage. It's better to take care of repairs in advance than to get a surprise right before installing the tires. If the tires are in order, they need to be thoroughly dried and you can start preparing a place for storage.
The room where the tires will be stored should have a moderate temperature, preferably in the range of 20-30°C. Tires should not be stored under direct sunlight or in the heat of summer. High humidity is also harmful. Tires have metal inner layers, or, for example, anti-skid studs. In some cases, corrosion may occur. It is strictly forbidden to store tires near various fuel and lubricants, so check that there are no oil or gasoline spills on the floor. The rubber compound can change its physical properties when in contact with petroleum products for a long time. Also, don't put tires near a battery or heater.
Studded tires should not be put in bags, because if you have steel studs, in the fall you will see them covered with rust. We've discussed the storage conditions, and now let's talk about how to store tires exactly.
Careful storage will allow you to avoid cracking of the rubber or other defects, but as you can see, you need to consider a large number of factors. Storing on a balcony or in a country house under a fence can lead to the need to buy a new set. The most convenient way will be to leave the set for storage in a tire center or hand it over to special companies that will take and then bring your wheels. At professional tire companies, your tires will be stored in accordance with all recommendations, and the money spent will be fully justified by the excellent condition of your wheels.