Tire Storage: Avoiding Dry Rot

Tire storage may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of self-storage, but you never know what you might need it for. Whether you live somewhere that requires you to change tires by the seasons, you own a tire shop, or you need to hold onto old tires to sell or reuse later, knowing how to properly store tires will help you increase their longevity. Check out our tips for preserving your tires in storage!

Prepping for Tire Storage

Remove Tires from the Vehicle

If the tires you want to store are on a vehicle, make sure they are removed before you put them into storage. Letting the vehicle sit on the tires will increase warping and deflation during storage and can make it more difficult to protect your tires from elements that may increase the risk of dry rot. If you’re storing a car and are unable to take the tires off, at least try to drive the car every few months so the tires get used and rotated.

Bonus Tip: when you replace the tires later on, rotate them from the position they were in before. This increases tire longevity by evening out the wear and tear of each tire.

Clean Your Tires

Removing any dirt and debris from your tires helps them last longer in storage. Dirt can become mold or pests which can become damage or dry rot. Cleaning any item before storage will always increase its longevity, but you have to make sure that it dries just as well. This goes for tires, too, so give them a good scrub with a tire brush and dish soap and let them dry fully. Make sure to avoid any strong or harsh tire cleaners as they may actually contribute to the breakdown of your tires. Do not dry in direct sunlight.

Inflate Your Tires

Store tires at the recommended air pressure of the manufacturer. This will prevent them from losing their shape in storage and also allow you to inspect for any holes or leaks.

Place Your Tires in Storage Bags

Investing in airtight vacuum seal bags can help the longevity of your tires in storage. These will keep out dirt and pests so your tires stay fresh in storage. It also prevents the tires from drying out and becoming oxidized and preserves oils in the tire. If you’d rather not spring for the vacuum seal option, you can always use a trash bag–just be sure to get it as airtight as possible.

Proper Tire Storage

Invest in Climate-Controlled Tire Storage

Any exposure to heat and sunshine increases the risk of your tires succombing to dry rot. This is why we do not dry them in the sun. On the flip side, too much exposure to cold could also damage your tires. Humidity can also sneak in and mess up your tires–climate-controlled storage takes care of this too. Investing in a storage unit that will keep them at room temperature and protect them from the weather will help ensure that your tires make it to the next season.

Stacking in Storage

Whether or not your tires have rims will determine how you stack them. If you have tires with rims, you should lay them horizontally so the weight of the tire is evenly distributed across the rim. You can also hang them on hooks if the rim is intact. However, if you are rimless, store your tires vertically to help maintain their shape.