HOW TO STORE YOUR TIRES
Store your tires indoors in a clean, cool and dark location away from direct sunlight, sources of heat and ozone such as hot pipes or electric generators.
Be sure the surfaces on which tires are stored are clean and free from grease, gasoline or other substances that could deteriorate the rubber.
If storing outdoors raise tires off the ground and use waterproof covering with holes to prevent moisture build-up.
If tires are on vehicle, store on blocks to remove load from the tires. Maintain placard inflation pressure.
If your tires have whitewall or raised white lettering, store them with the whitewall or raised white lettering facing each other. Otherwise, black rubber could stain them. (The results are not pretty.)
Frequently asked questions
BFGoodrich answers your most asked questions.
FAQ
It depends on whether they are mounted. Tires mounted on rims should be stacked horizontally or hung, because the rim supports the structure. Tires not mounted on rims should be stored standing upright side by side and rotated occasionally, because stacking unmounted tires distorts the sidewalls and can cause permanent deformation.
Cool, dark, dry, and away from the furnace, the water heater, and any electric motor, because these produce ozone which cracks rubber quickly. Keep them off a concrete floor that gets damp, and off any surface with grease, fuel, or solvent on it. Sealed tire bags reduce ozone and moisture exposure further.
Clean them with water and dry thoroughly to remove road salt and brake dust before storage. Note the position each came from so you can rotate correctly next season. Pick stones and debris out of the tread grooves. Inspect for damage while you have them in your hands, then bag them and store cool, dark, and dry.
Only short term and only with precautions. Raise them off the ground so moisture cannot pool underneath, and cover with something waterproof that has holes to prevent condensation building up inside. UV degrades rubber and Canadian temperature swings are hard on stored tires, so outdoor storage is a compromise rather than a plan.
Take the weight off the tires by jacking the vehicle onto stands, or remove the wheels entirely. Leaving full weight resting on the same section of each tire for months causes flat spots and structural stress that may not be reversible. If it must stay on its tires, keep them at placard pressure and move it periodically.
Related pages
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TIRE REPAIR
Repairing a damaged tire is certainly less expensive and less hassle than buying a brand new one. But repairing a tire isn’t always an option. If your tire becomes damaged, it may be repaired if it meets the following criteria:
1. The tire has not been driven on when flat
2. The damage is only on the tread section of your tire (sidewall damage ruins a tire immediately) and/or
3. The puncture is less than 6mm (¼")
If your tire is flat, we can help teach you how to change a tire.View more