How To Store Your Tyres

As the weather and seasons change, it is wise to change your tyres accordingly.

Some people choose to change their tyres biannually, alternating between summer and winter varieties. If you use both summer and winter tyres for your vehicle, you’ll need to store the ones that aren’t in use.

Storing tyres correctly is important if you want to get the most out of them, extend their lifespan, ensure they stay safe to drive on, and prevent damage from occurring in the months they aren’t being used.

How to Store Tyres at Home

Before you can tuck your tyres in for a few months, you should make sure that they’re clean and free of brake dust, salt (for winter tyres), and general grime. It’s easier to do this once you’ve taken the tyres off your car.

Use some special cleaning detergent mixed with water and a tyre brush to get in the tread properly. Once this is done, either pat them completely dry with a towel or place them in a sheltered spot to dry out.

Next, you should find a large plastic bag to put each tyre into. Once the tyre is in the bag, use a vacuum cleaner to remove all the air and make it airtight, then tape the bag shut. Do this for all of your tyres. 

An airtight bag reduces the evaporation of the natural oil in the rubber of the tyre. This is important as tyres can dry out and crack over time, so storing them in this way could slow this process.

Where to Store Winter Tyres

It’s essential to find a suitable place to store your winter tyres to keep them free from damage. UV rays and the heat of the sun can have an impact on the rubber the tyres are made from, especially older tyres. Being in a plastic bag, the tyres could get very hot. Therefore, you should store your winter tyres out of the direct sunlight in a cool, shady spot. A garage would work well but sheds should be avoided as they can get hot in the summer.

It’s also inadvisable to keep tyres in the open air. It’s better if they’re in a moderately ventilated room instead of leaving the bags outside. If you don’t have a suitable space such as a garage and you don’t want to keep the tyres in your house, you could make use of a Tyre Hotel service. This is a place where your tyres can be safely stored until you’re ready to switch. Ask at your local Kwik Fit centre for details about storing your tyres in our Tyre Hotel.

Once you’ve found a suitable space for your tyres, you need to consider exactly how you will store them. If the tyres are being stored without the wheels, it’s better to leave them standing up vertically. However, if you’ve decided to keep the wheels on the tyre, you may be better off stacking them horizontally, one on top of the other.

How to Store Summer Tyres

Storing summer tyres in winter can be difficult, as the cold can cause all sorts of problems, including deflation and cracking. Summer tyres are made from a softer rubber than their winter counterparts that makes them good for driving in the heat. They also have less elasticity than winter tyres, meaning that, if they get too cold, they could be more prone to cracking.

Because of this, it’s better to store them indoors. If your home has an internal garage, store them there as the heat from your home would prevent the temperature from dropping too much. Otherwise, a Tyre Hotel might be the best place to keep your tyres in tiptop condition.

How Long Do Tyres Last in Storage?

A tyre should be changed approximately every three to 10 years, but this is the rule for those that are being used on a regular basis. If you aren’t using your tyres and they’re safely in storage, they should last for around six to 10 years, provided that they’re in an airtight bag and out of the sun or cold.

If the tyres are stored in a bag that isn’t airtight, oxygen can cause the rubber to deteriorate, breaking it down on both the inside and outside.

If you plan to use your tyres after they’ve been in storage for a long time, you should check for signs of damage or cracking before having them re-fitted.

If you have any questions about storing your tyres or tyre care, get in touch with our friendly team of experts today who can point you in the right direction.In the meantime, you can browse our full range of premium tyres here.

Is it better to store tyres flat or upright?

Tyres should be kept upright to prevent distortion and to make mounting them on wheels easier.