The place where you store summer tires is not negligible. According to experts, the storage temperature is the most important criterion. The life of the tires can also be extended by protecting them from moisture, chemicals and UV rays. The simplest solution for this is storage services. Nokian Tires shows you how to store your tires in the best possible way.
Should summer tires be stored in the garage, in the basement, on the balcony or outside? According to Martin Dražik, product manager at Nokian Tires CE, attention must be paid to the storage temperature.
"In the past, some drivers stored their tires near their central heating boilers. This place is much too warm for the storage of tires, the outgoing heat has a negative effect on the rubber compound. The tire dries out slowly, hardens and develops cracks "explains Dražik. "The ideal storage location for tires is a cool place with a room temperature below 15 degrees Celsius - the tires remain dry. In addition, the optimal storage location should be dark or protected from sunlight, as UV radiation also reduces the life of a tire"Dražik adds.
Putaway services are the solution to the storage problem
An increasingly used option is the storage of tires in so-called storage services - This gives car drivers more space for other things at home. A storage service can be a convenient and space-saving solution for car owners. At a storage service, the tires are inspected, washed and assembled by professionals.
"If the tires are stored under the right conditions, this prolongs their service life“, Emphasizes Dražík.
Carefully maintained, high-quality tires usually last up to six years from use - depending on the mileage. If the tires were produced more than ten years ago, they should no longer be used. You can recognize the production date by the four-digit number on the tire: The first two digits stand for the week, the last two digits for the year of manufacture. An unsuitable storage location can irreparably damage tires within one season.
Powerful high-pressure cleaners can damage tires
The recommendations for the storage of winter and summer tires are similar in principle. Before storing tires, they should be thoroughly cleaned and rinsed. Remove coarse dirt such as stones from the tread grooves and check the tread pattern and sidewalls for cracks and unusually protruding bulges.
"Be sure to keep the jet of high pressure cleaner away from the tires, as this may separate the rubber from the underlying tissue. This in turn can lead to the tires not being fully functional"Says Držík.
Before storing the tires, you should make sure that the tires are dry and do not come into contact with oil, solvents or other chemicals at the storage area. If necessary, you can use tire bags for protection. In addition, the tires should not be under high pressure and tension. Do not place any other objects on the stack of tires.
"When stacking the tires you should increase the tire pressure slightly, since the bottom tire is under high load"Dražík mentions.
Tire storage tips from Martin Dražik at a glance:
- Check the age of the tires and buy a new set every six to ten years.
- Check the tire tread and remove coarse dirt like stones from the grooves.
- Clean the tires and allow them to dry completely before storing them.
- Store the tires in a cool, dry place.
- Protect the tires from sunlight and chemicals.
- Leave the work to the experts from the storage service.