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How to Extend the Life of Your Winter Tires

Jan 27, 2023
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There are many items that you save for storage after winter and only use then. The car tires belong to this seasonal category because you'll be driving on snow or in incredibly cold weather. When the cold weather arrives, you switch your summer or fall tires for your winter tires. 

You would also need to store the tires you've been using all winter when winter is about to end. Even if changing tires is difficult, it is necessary to get these tires suitable for storage following removal. You might protect and extend the life of your winter tires in this way. Since winter arrives every year, you wouldn't want to continually replacing them just because you didn't properly store your winter tires. To ensure that your winter tires are in great storage condition and could last you for years, follow these straightforward and simple actions.

Examine your tires.

Make sure to carefully inspect the tires after detaching them from your car for any damages, obvious cracks, fading rubber, and other issues. The wear of the tires should also be examined by a skilled eye. It is much better to toss this tire out and just get a new one for the coming winter if you notice that the tire depth is indeed getting close to the wear indicator.

Tire cleaning.

Thorough cleaning comes next after a thorough inspection. Take a brush and some mild soap and water, and clean your tires. Ensure that any grit from the road, tire dressing, and brake dust are taken out of the tire. You should remove these soiled particles before storage because they can cause corrosion while being stored. After cleaning, let the moisture go and go through step one again in case you missed some cracks. Remember not to apply gloss or treatment, especially if it contains petroleum, since this will interfere with the rubber's weathering agents and increase the risk of premature cracking.

Your tires should be placed in airtight containers.

Go for it if you can locate huge, opaque plastic bags. Make sure there is no moisture left in the bag or your tire. Before taping the bag shut, remove any air inside. It is advisable to keep your tire in an enclosed space since it prevents oil from the rubber of your tires from evaporating.

Although tire totes and storage caddies are commercially available, we strongly advise against using them because they don't provide an airtight environment for your tires. They certainly make moving tires from one place to another simpler and aid in keeping the tire clean, but they are powerless to stop oil from evaporating. Put your tires in a plastic bag first before storing them in one of these if you still want to use them.

Find a location for tire storage.

Many people struggle to find a place to store their tires because their garages are cluttered rather than because they lack the room. First glance in your garage if you're looking for a location. To tidy your garage, make the most of the empty spaces along the ceiling and walls. If you make the most of the storage space in your walls and ceiling, you'll also gain valuable floor space. There are shrewd storage options on the market, such as FlexiMounts' GR Series Classic 2’x8’ Overhead Garage Storage Rack. Its weight capacity is at 400 pounds, and its height may be changed from 22 to 40 inches. This waterproof rack can protect your tires from being damaged by water. 

Keep in mind that storing your tires in direct sun can cause the rubber compounds they are constructed of to be damaged by UV rays. Because you can regulate and control the climate in the garage, storing your tires there will help them last longer. Additionally, you might focus on the ventilation, which will make it ideal for storing tires. Keep in mind not to keep your tires next to or beside any electric motors that produce ozone or carbon monoxide. It is not advisable to store them next to furnaces, sump pumps, switches, generators, or vacuum cleaners. A location where liquids might leak over the tires is another bad place to store them.

When storing tires, vertically stack them. 

There may be differing opinions on this, however by storing your tires vertically, you prevent stressing the tire's substance and shape. In order to prevent rubbing and damage to the rubber compounds of the tires, Bemac advises using separators between the tires if you wish to stack them. 

Keep in mind that your tires won't be properly staffed for shape maintenance if they are not mounted on rims. Your tires could become unequal as a result, which would explain why your car kept rolling over from one end to the other. Additionally, you shouldn't hang your tires from hooks because this could alter their shape. According to Bemac, stacking your unmounted tires side by side on a rack is the optimum and proper way to store them. The tires will remain level and even in this storage arrangement.

Final Thoughts 

You shouldn't presume that your overused tires will continue to function indefinitely. But if stored properly, you could definitely extend their lifespan. Your winter tires may typically endure for six to ten years if you clean them well after the cold months and store them in an upright position in a climate-controlled environment. Not shabby, huh, considering a few safety precautions? If you don't have to purchase season tires every time the season is about to start, you'll undoubtedly save a lot of money.

FlexiMount End of Month Sale 

FlexiMount is currently holding an end of month sale, offering a 15% off on products sitewide. Just use the coupon code FM15 to avail of the discount. 

You can also get an extra discount, depending on the total of your purchase. Get $10 off when you spend $200 or more. Get $30 off when you spend $350 or more. Or better, get $50 off when you spend $500 or more. Happy shopping!