With the onset of cold weather, car owners change their vehicles, and the question arises, how to properly store summer tires in winter? By itself, rubber is considered a material with high elasticity, which is the main property for tires along with wear resistance. The problem is that over time, elasticity deteriorates even when the rubber product is not in use. And if the storage of summer tires in winter was also improperly organized, the likelihood of even deformation of tires increases, which is especially undesirable for tubeless tires.
The best way out of this situation is to decide to store the tires in a repair service offering similar services. They know how to properly store wheels in winter and guarantee the preservation of their properties. For this, the service has special rooms with optimal temperature conditions and structures for storing tires. The problem is that not every city offers such services and, naturally, they are paid. The monthly payment is insignificant, but given that it takes 6 months to use such a service, many are trying to create conditions for storing summer tires at home on their own.
Storage conditions for summer tires
It is recommended to use a garage, preferably heated, or a shed as a storage room for these products. Many are interested in whether it is possible to store summer tires on the balcony, which is explained by the lack of a garage. The balcony can be used if it is glazed. Regardless of which storage location you decide to choose, a number of requirements must be met in it.
At what temperature to store summer tires
Of course, when stable, so that its differences are insignificant and do not affect the physical condition of the tires. The temperature in the storage room for tires should not exceed + 25 ° C and fall below zero. Therefore, to the question of whether it is possible to store summer tires in the cold, the answer is obvious, it is impossible.
How to store tires with disks in winter, room features
The main requirement for the room is that it is dry and well ventilated. Such conditions are necessary to create an optimal humidity level in the range of 50-80%. Storing summer wheels in winter at this humidity is considered optimal for their condition.
Storing tires in winter, taking into account negative factors
In addition to creating optimal storage conditions, you need to take care of the absence of negative factors that can affect the condition of the tires. If you need good summer rubber in the spring, store it away from heating appliances. In addition, avoid exposure to sunlight and engine oil on the surface of the tires.
How to properly store summer tires on disks and without them
Car tires can be stored either with or without disks, if there is a second set. Let’s consider how to properly store wheels on disks in winter when the above conditions are met. You can hang them using hooks, which is not very convenient, because such devices must be built on the ceiling. The best option is to stack the wheels on top of each other on a wooden pallet. Holding them vertically is contraindicated, as the weight of the disc can deform stationary tires.
On the other hand, storage of summer tires without discs is possible only vertically, since nothing affects them and deformation is impossible. When the tires are suspended, a load is generated at the hinge points. When stacked on top of each other, the tires do not have rigidity due to the lack of discs, and therefore the upper ones will press with their mass on the lower ones, and such storage of wheels in winter also contributes to their deformation.
How to store summer tires in winter: preparation
When you have decided where to store summer tires, you need to prepare and preserve it. First, you need to clean the tires from dirt, and it is better to wash, if possible. Then the wheels need to be wiped dry and oil stains, if any, removed. For better conditions of preservation, it is recommended to apply a thin layer of lithol, grease or graphite grease. This can be done regardless of where to store summer tires in winter, and in spring these lubricants are easily removed from the rubber surface.
Where to store tires in winter
If you have several places at once where storing summer tires in winter will preserve their properties, you should choose the most optimal one. Wheels should not interfere, and therefore preference should be given to either a spacious room or one that is not used. Therefore, you can store summer rubber on the balcony, carefully covering them from the sun, or in the closet, because they are not used much. But in the absence of free space in the garage, it will also be irrational to fold four wheels there. They will always get in the way.