If you run separate summer and winter tyres — an increasingly popular choice among safety-conscious drivers across West Yorkshire — proper storage between seasons is essential to protect your investment. Stored incorrectly, tyres can deform, crack, or age prematurely within a single off-season.
Clean Before You Store
Before putting tyres away, wash them thoroughly with water and mild soap to remove brake dust, road grime, and tar deposits. Do not use solvent-based cleaners or tyre shine products on tyres going into storage — these can accelerate rubber degradation. Allow tyres to dry completely before storing.
The Right Environment
Tyres should be stored in a cool, dry, dark environment. UV light, ozone (produced by motors and fluorescent lights), heat, and humidity all accelerate rubber ageing. A garage or basement is ideal; an outdoor shed exposed to summer sun is not. Do not store tyres near electric motors, generators, or welding equipment — these produce ozone that attacks rubber compounds.
Mounting or Unmounted Storage
Tyres stored on rims (wheel and tyre assemblies) should be stored horizontally in a stack or hung vertically on hooks — both methods are fine. Tyres stored off-rims (tyres only) should stand upright and be rotated a quarter turn every month or so to prevent flat-spotting. Avoid hanging unmounted tyres by the bead or storing them flat for extended periods, as this can deform the tyre structure.
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