How to store tyres safely
26th February 2023Wondering how to store your car tyres safely in your home over summer or winter? Our guide on tyre storage tips has you covered. From learning the best way to store your tyres, to choosing the perfect environment, find out more about how to store your tyres safely now.
Best way to store tyres
Step 1: Ensure your tyres are clean
The first step in storing tyres safely is ensuring they are completely clean before you store them away. You can clean your tyres by using some detergent, water and a tyre brush - which will help to remove road grime and brake dust. It's important to ensure this dirt and dust is removed from your tyres before storing, as this could cause erosion to the tyre and impact it's performance. While you're there, it's worth giving your wheels a little spring clean, too!
Step 2: Use tyre storage bags
Ensure your tyres are completely dry before this next step. Next, you'll need to find suitable tyre storage bags for your tyres. You can purchase specially made tyre storage bags, but you may already have something at home that is suitable - such as garden bags or leaf bags. These bags need to be large, airtight plastic bags.
As long as both the tyres and the bags are free of moisture, place your tyres inside the bag - and remove as much air as possible from the bag once the tyre is inside. Next, tape the bag shut to keep the air out. By having airtight tyre storage bags, this is likely to reduce the evaporation caused by oils from the rubber compounds - keeping them free of both dust and grime.
Step 3: Where to store your tyres
Location is key when it comes to storing your tyres safely at home. It's important to understand what you need to avoid when storing your tyres:
- Avoid sunlight - the UV rays and heat from the sun can have a detrimental effect on the rubber of your tyres, so keep your tyres away from direct sunlight.
- Avoid chemical exposure - keep your tyres far away from chemicals, as well as solvents, fuels and lubricants - as chemical exposure can be especially damaging to tyres.
- Avoid storing tyres outside - even if your tyres are under a protective covering, tyres should never be kept outside.
Instead, you need to find an area which is cool, dry and moderately ventilated - such as garages, or climate-controlled spaces. If you are looking for other ways to prolong the life of your tyres, learn more with our tips on tyre care and maintenance.
Step 4: How to store my tyres
Now your location has been decided, and your tyres are bagged up and ready to go, you now need to consider exactly how you want to store your tyres. You have three main options of how to store your tyres:
- Hanging them on hooks
- Stacking them on their sides
- Standing them upright
Generally, it is recommended to store your tyres standing them upright - as this puts the least amount of strain on the tyres. However, if your tyres are mounted on wheels, stacking would be the preferred method to use, or hanging on hooks or racks. If you do choose to stack the tyres on their sides, consider how high you stack your tyres. Stacking them too high is a safety hazard and tyres could be knocked or fall over.
Looking to buy your own tyres? Browse tyres online from The Tyre Group now - locate your nearest centre, or for any more information on how to store tyres safely, get in touch with our team now.
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