Preventing damage is the right way to store tires!
Summer is coming and with it summer tires. In summer it is allowed to drive on winter tires, but it is not recommended to do so. Seasonal tires have a positive effect on wear, driving performance and fuel consumption. The question arises: how to store winter tires so that they are suitable for use in the next winter season.
Consequences of improper storage
Tires are composite material structures, consisting of a steel wire mesh, the so-called carcass, surrounded by a rubber coating. . Strengthening the rubber coating is called " vulcanization ».
The rubber is strongly heated until it becomes liquid enough to create an airtight shell around the carcass. . It is very important. The frame is stable and durable if it is protected from corrosion. Once air and moisture have penetrated the steel wire, the tire will soon be ready.
This is the crux of the storage problem. . Tires must be stored in such a way that there are no pressure points in them. Standing upright on the tracks for several months without accidentally turning the carcasses gradually bend at one point, which can lead to damage.
Microcracks can form at the stress point, which can expand while driving, eventually leading to air being drawn into the carcasses. Especially for winter tires, this is completely fatal. Salt and snow increase the corrosion process in the carcass .
When storing tires, the following errors are typical:
| – stationary storage. – The storage area is too bright. – the storage room is too humid. – chemicals nearby. |
Proper storage with one hand
Therefore, a car tire should be stored
- horizontal or suspended
state - in the dark
- dry
- adequately ventilated
Basically , car tires can be stacked on top of each other . However, no more than four tires can be stacked on top of each other. The pressure is well distributed over the entire side surface when stored horizontally. However, this is the weakest point. Thus, tire support with excessive height can lead to irreversible tire damage at the lowest levels. .
The optimal solutions are Tire tree or suitable wall peg . Thanks to these solutions, the tree hangs absolutely stress-free and damage when standing is prevented.
Darkness is very important for tires . Merciless ultraviolet radiation from the sun ages and makes the rubber brittle. Especially with constant illumination of the same place, gradual damage is almost inevitable.
Moisture is also very dangerous for tires. . Water can penetrate the outer layer and settle in the rubber. This causes the rubber to dissolve and is detrimental to the carcass. Pallets are perfect for stacking them , as they are at a sufficient distance from the ground, protecting them from accidental water intrusion into the storage space.
Especially harmful chemicals containing solvents such as conventional fuel such as gasoline or diesel. But also motor oil, brake cleaner, WD-40 and even detergents and glass cleaners can damage tire tyres. The wheels must be protected from them. Proper storage room ventilation also prevents solvent fumes from settling on the tires. .
Tire storage - step by step
There are six steps to follow when storing tires:
| 1. Verification. 2. Cleaning. 3. Marking. 4. Choose a storage location. 5. Set up storage space. 6. Tire storage |
It makes no sense to keep tires that cannot be used in the new season. They should be carefully checked before they are put into storage.
Firstly there must be sufficient depth of the profile, which can be measured with using a tire profile depth gauge . For summer tires enough 1,6 mm , winter tires must have profile depth 4 mm, to guarantee the necessary security.
This does not mean that winter tires with a minimum profile depth should be automatically stored. . We remind you that this is the depth from which they will be mounted and driven next winter. Therefore, winter tires with profile depth of 6 mm or less should not be used, but replaced.
When checking profile depth be sure to check the general condition of the tires. Abrasion points, skid marks, cracks, bumps are all exceptional criteria for further use. . In this case, the tire needs to be replaced. . In the end , tire life is limited. The maximum service life of car tires is 10 years . In addition, they are no longer safe to drive. Tire age can be checked by DOT code , a 4-digit number on the edge in an oval field. Four digits indicate the week and year of production . 3214 means "calendar week 32 in 2014" .
After six years, the tire should be thoroughly inspected before storage. . This is where a professional eye comes in handy.
A clean tire is a safe tire . Before storage, it is advisable to wash it with a high-pressure cleaner, removing dirt from the profile. This is especially important for winter tires, as mud can contain significant amounts of road salt. All this should be washed off to prevent damage to the tires during storage.
They are marked as follows:
FL = front left
FR = front right
RL = rear left
RR = rear right
It doesn't matter which side of the axle they are mounted on . It just makes distribution easier. It's a really sensible precaution to change the tires on the axles every year to spread the wear evenly.
Generally, front tires wear faster . There the engine is more stressful. In addition, steering movements increase tire wear. The best measure is to replace both front and rear at the same time every year.
Be careful to install the tire in the direction of rotation . Installing the tire in the wrong direction will cause the tire to continually roll backwards, resulting in poor driving performance and increased wear. If this is noticed about the check, you risk getting a fine.
Ultimately, a clean, dark, dry, and well-ventilated storage location is chosen. . Euro pallet is the minimum protection against moisture stagnation. The ideal is a tire tree. Wall storage especially saves space. However, this requires drilling the garage wall. Be sure to first settle this issue with the owner of the garage.
