How to store winter tires? Do this to avoid disaster!

Always store your winter tires in a cool and dry place far away from direct sunlight.

As you get to that time of year where the suns starts to shine again and the frost disappears, you can start to think about breaking out you summer tires.

But what exactly are you meant to do with you winter tires? Obviously you can keep your winter tires aside but what exactly are you meant to do? It’s a question we’ve dealt with a lot so here is our guide on how to store winter tires.

Where to store winter tires?

We recommend storing your winter tires in a cool and dry place far away from direct sunlight. This will help to prevent any cracking or deterioration of the rubber. An ideal spot would be in your garage, however if you don’t have a garage then any shed or covered area will do.

You could also think about renting out a storage locker if you could use the extra space.

If you do store it in a place like a shed, make sure that there aren’t any leaks or exposure to the elements as that will accelerate the degradation process of the rubber and you’ll be into for a nasty shock next winter.

How to store winter tires?

The best way to store winter tires is by hanging them on a tire rack. This will help to keep their shape and stop them from getting damaged. If you don’t have a tire rack then you can stack them in a corner or against a wall.

Just make sure that they are not touching the ground as this could cause them to get damaged. Also, remember to never hang unmounted tires as this can put unneccesary strain on them.

If you can hang your tires, then the next best choice is to stand them up against a wall as it means there is less stress on your tires. Finally, if you have no other options, you can stack tires, just ensure that you don’t stack too many on top of each other as this could cause them to become damaged.

Also ensure if stacking them on top of teach other with the wheels not to damage the face of the wheels.

Before storing them, it’s also important to properly clean your tires . This will help to remove any salt or debris that could cause them to deteriorate. You can do this by using a hose and some form of mild soap designed for tires . Once they are clean, dry them off with a towel before storing them away.

For extra security, you may also want to consider bagging your tires. This provides just that little more security and will ensure they are kept away from things like dust, grime and the elements. It also makes them easier to transport and means you won’t risk scratching them while they are moved.

Here are our preferred tire bags.

Why can’t you leave winter tires on all year?

The reason why you should take your winter tires off is because they are made of a different type of rubber to summer tires and will wear down quicker if they are used all year round.

This is because winter tires are made of a softer rubber compound which helps to grip the road in icy and snowy conditions. But while it provides great traction on ice and snow, it wears down quicker on dry roads.

So if you leave your winter tires on all year, you will find that they need to be replaced much sooner than if you had just used them in the winter.

When should you remove your winter tires?

Once the temperature goes above 45-50 degrees outside, it’s a good time to remove you winter tires and switch to your summer or all season tires. Anything above that and you can expect real damage to your winter tires.

When should you store winter tires?

Ideally you should be storing your winter tires at the end of the season, when the weather starts to improve. This will help to prevent any damage that could be caused by the spring weather.

Why it’s important to store winter tires out of season?

Storing your winter tires out of season is important as it helps to extend their life. Winter tires can be expensive so by storing them properly you will be able to use them for longer. Winter tires are typically much softer than you regular summer tires which means they can perish quicker.

Storing them in a cool and dry place will help to prevent this from happening.

Can you leave winter tires outside?

No, you absolutely should not leave winter tires outside. Winter tires are made from a soft rubber compound which means they can degrade quickly when exposed to the elements.

How often should you check your winter tires?

Even though your tires are stored, you shouldn’t just forget about them. As we’ve mentioned, winter tires can degrade easily and the last thing you want is winter coming along and the winter tires you’ve been storing are completely unusable.

So, we recommend checking them every few months to make sure they are still in good condition. At least once every 3 months is a good idea.

Difference between winter and summer tires

The main difference between winter and summer tires is the tread pattern. Winter tires have a deeper tread which helps to provide better grip in the snow and ice. They also have special additives in the rubber which helps to prevent them from freezing. Summer tires have a shallower tread as they are designed for use in the dryer conditions.

The rubber compound is also different as summer tires need to be harder in order to withstand the higher temperatures. Winter tires should never be used in the summer as they will degrade quickly and could cause an accident.

Summary

Winter tires can’t be left on all year and once you do take them off, you need somewhere secure to store them. We recommend somewhere secure, cool and dry like a garage or storage unit. Bagging your tires before storing is also a good idea as this will help to keep them clean and dry.

You should also check your winter tires every few months to ensure they are still in good condition.

We hope you enjoyed this article and found it informative. If you have any questions then please leave a comment below or get in touch via email or through social media and we will read and respond to every comment, email or question. Thanks for reading!