How to store winter tyres

With summer approaching, it’s time for winter tyres to be stored away and replaced with summer tyres in preparation for the next season. To make sure your tyres are in good condition to use again in future, it’s important to store them correctly.

Should I clean my winter tyres before storing them away?

Yes, you could cause damage to your tyres if they are left stored with any chemicals on them, including petrol or oil. Also, if they are clogged with mud or pieces of debris, it will be difficult to assess the condition of the tyres and whether there is any existing damage to them which could render them unusable next winter.

Be sure to clean them using a tyre brush with warm water, and a mild car shampoo if you have one, then rinse and dry them thoroughly – failure to do so could cause corrosion. If you are storing tyres with the rims on, it’s important to ensure these are clean too.

Where should I store my winter tyres?

Tyres need to be stored in a clean, dry, well-ventilated indoor space out of direct sunlight. If you do not have storage space at home, some retailers provide a ‘Tyre hotel’ service for a fee. However if you do choose to store them yourself, a garage is an appropriate facility to do so.

It’s important that you don’t leave your tyres on your vehicle unused for longer than one month, even if the vehicle is stored in a garage. The weight of the vehicle can cause irreversible damage.

Is there a correct way to store tyres?

Yes, take note of the pointers below to ensure safe and effective storage:

• If you are storing them in bags, ensure these are air tight and free of moisture
• Keep them out of reach of any sharp objects that could penetrate the tyres
• Keep them away from any source of heat or equipment that could cause sparks
• Store them away from anything that could potentially fall on them
• If they are being stacked or stored at ground level out of bags, make sure the surface is clean to preserve the rubber, or put a piece of cardboard between the tyre and the ground to avoid direct contact
• For tyres with raised white lettering on, ensure the tyres are stacked with the lettering face to face – any black rubber in contact with the lettering can stain it

The correct way to store tyres can also vary depending on whether you are storing them with rims on or without. For instance, tyres without rims should only be stored standing up next to each other, and preferably rotated every month. However tyres with rims can be stored hung up, stood up or stacked – although stacked tyres should not exceed a stack of two. Again, the order they are stored should be rotated every month to avoid the bottom tyre becoming deformed.

How long will my tyres last in storage?

This depends on several factors. One being the age of the tyre – older tyres can start to lose their key properties over time and become unsafe to use. You can find the date of manufacture in the form of a DOT code on the tyre sidewall.

It is also dependent on whether they have been stored effectively and therefore if any harm has come to them.

However, if you look after your tyres in storage they can last up to 10 years. We would always recommend thoroughly checking over your tyres when bringing them out of storage to ensure they are suitable for use.

For more information, get in touch and we can help support you with your tyre needs. You can also check out our full range of winter tyres and all-season range here.