Ever wondered how to store tires at home? Most people toss their off-season tires in the garage without a second thought, overlooking that their tires are one of their vehicle’s biggest investments. The problem? Improper storage can lead to cracking, dry rot, and premature replacement costs.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to keep your tires in peak condition, even when they’re not in use. You’ll learn how to store tires at home and how to avoid the most common mistakes so your wheels stay in tip-top shape.
Need a professional tire expert to inspect your wheels? Visit Hooper’s Tire Outlet in Rochester or Syracuse, NY for a check-up!
The Key Takeaways:
Clean, dry, and inspect your tires before storing them to prevent dry rot or deterioration.
Store tires in a cool, dark, and dry location to preserve elasticity and prevent cracking.
Use airtight bags or covers and store tires upright or stacked to avoid flat spots, moisture damage, and shape distortion.
6 Steps for Storing Tires at Home
1. Inspect Your Tires for Damage
We recommend inspecting your tires before storing them for several important reasons. If you uncover defects or signs of wear, you can save money by repairing your tires before a full replacement is needed. Storing damaged tires is also dangerous, since existing damage (like sidewall cracks) can worsen during storage, leading to blowouts or sudden failures.
Here’s how to properly inspect your tires prior to storage:
Check for cracks, punctures, bulges, and embedded debris.
Look for uneven wear that could indicate suspension or inflation issues.
Inspect all valve stems to check for missing caps or leaks.
Check the pressure of all your tires.
Confirm the age of your tires by checking the DOT code (if they’re 6+ years old, you may need to replace them)
2. Clean & Dry Your Tires
It’s crucial to make sure your tires are clean and dry for storage. You might not realize it, but tires collect a lot of “road gunk” during normal use, like brake dust, dirt, and grime. Improper cleaning and drying increase the risk of dry rot and dangerous brittleness, which can occur after only three months. If you store tires properly, they can last for 5-10 years.
Here’s how to properly clean your tires for storage:
Use a tire brush, mild soap, and water
Avoid harsh chemicals like petroleum and gloss products that could degrade their surface
Dry your tires thoroughly before putting them away
Never use direct sunlight to expedite the drying process
3. Use Tire Covers to Keep Air Out
Once your tires are clean and dry, completely seal them in airtight bags or protective wraps, like the ones used for gardening or collecting leaves. Get as much air out of the bags as you can before sealing. This will ensure the lubricating oil within each tire’s compound stays preserved throughout storage.
If you expose your tires to the elements for long periods without driving on them, you may encounter tire bloom, a cosmetic brown discoloration as the lubricating oil reacts with the air, or dry rot over time.
4. Find a Cool, Dark Spot
It’s never a good idea for your tires to spend a lot of time in the sun. Since tires are black, they absorb too much of the sun’s heat (yes, even when it’s cold out). Excessive heat speeds up the breakdown of tire rubber, weakening its sidewalls. This can cause dry rot, cracks, and an increased risk of blowouts. Plus, UV radiation breaks chemical bonds in tire rubber, leading to discoloration and cracking.
That’s why proper tire storage requires a cool, dark, dry spot away from the sun and heat. Ideally, you should store them at temperatures below 59°F in a climate-controlled area. This makes basements better for tire storage than unfinished garages. By reducing your tires’ exposure to humidity and other environmental hazards, you’ll preserve their elasticity and prevent dry rot. This keeps them safer for longer use.
5. Store Tires Upright & Stacked
Always store tires in an upright position, especially when unmounted. This puts far less pressure on them, helping to prevent flat spots and maintain their natural shape over time. If you wish to stack your tires to maximize space, make sure the stack is stable and not too high to avoid deformation or safety hazards.
6. Regularly Inspect Your Tires
Now that you know how to store tires at home, here’s one final pro tip: inspect them every three months for dryness or cracks. When you’re ready to reinstall your tires, remember to check their balance and rotate them as part of your maintenance routine.
4 Common Tire Storage Mistakes to Avoid
There are many common mistakes people make when learning how to store tires at home. The most frequent issues? Basically, the opposite of everything we recommended above: not properly cleaning and drying tires for storage, failing to use proper tire covers, overlooking the importance of a cool and dry space…
Below, we highlight some additional mistakes we see clients make that you may not have considered.
Mistake #1: Storing Tires Too Close to Chemicals
Never store tires near chemicals, solvents, or ozone-producing devices. These substances can negatively impact the rubber, accelerating degradation. Petroleum products, paint thinners, lubricants, and even common household cleaners emit vapors that attack tire compounds at a molecular level. Keep tires at least 3 feet away from all chemicals to prevent exposure.
Mistake #2: Placing Tires Directly on Cold Floors
Never store tires directly on cold or damp concrete floors. These floors can draw out protective oils from the rubber, causing premature hardening and cracking.
Instead, place a barrier between your tires and the floor, like a wooden pallet, cardboard, or specialized tire mat. Elevate the bottom layer at least 4 inches off the ground to prevent moisture transfer and insulate against temperature extremes. This can add years to your tires’ lifespan.
Mistake #3: Failing to Partially Deflate Mounted Tires
Mounted tires stored at full pressure for extended periods can develop flat spots or unnecessary sidewall stress. Reduce tire pressure to 100 kPa (15 psi) before storage, but never deflate them completely. This will help you reduce stress and retain their shape.
Mistake #4: Forgetting to Properly Label Tires
It’s important to properly label your tires to ensure correct seasonal reinstallation. Before storing, write down each tire’s position, removal date, and tread depth on a piece of masking tape and stick it to the tire bag. This prevents guesswork during reinstallation and ensures you continue proper rotation sequences that extend tire life.
How to Store Tires at Home: FAQs
How do you properly store white-walled tires?
Take extra care to prevent staining and discoloration of white-walled tires. Store them with the white side facing inward to prevent yellowing. As with all tires, clean them thoroughly before storage. Keep them in airtight bags to protect the white rubber from the elements.
Should tires be stored with rims/wheels or without?
Store unmounted tires upright to maintain their shape. Avoid hanging them, which can lead to damage or distortion. You can stack mounted tires or hang them from racks or hooks, if you need to save space.
Do I need tire hooks/racks?
You don’t need hooks or racks for proper tire storage, but they are useful for keeping tires off cold floors and away from moisture. If you have the space, racks are beneficial. They help maintain tire shape and prevent contact with chemicals that could cause degradation or sharp objects that could cause punctures. Just remember to keep your tires mounted to avoid distortion.
Learn How to Store Tires at Home With Hooper’s Tire Outlet
Now that you know how to store tires at home, you can extend the life of your tires and ensure safety on the road. Proper tire cleaning and storage keep your tires road-ready whenever you need them, and regular inspections will help you spot issues early so you can save on full replacements.
At Hooper’s Tire Outlet, we’re here to make tire care simple. If you need expert advice or a professional tire inspection before storage, visit our teams in Rochester or Syracuse, New York. We’ll check your tires for damage and give you personalized storage recommendations to extend the life of your tires.
Think it’s time for a new set of wheels? Search our tire inventory or stop in and see us today. We’ll help you get the most out of your tires!