How to Store Your Winter Tires

Winter tires start to lose their grip as temperatures begin to climb. The unspoken rule is that once the average daily temperature pushes seven degrees, it’s time to change your winter tires for summers or all-seasons. Winter tires are designed to perform best in conditions under seven degrees.

The prep

Clean your tires and rims. All that dirt, dust and grime your tires accumulate on the road can really accelerate wear and tear. So get your scrub on with the automotive soap and make sure your tires are nice and dry before putting them away! Proper care can extend the life of your tires for five-to-seven years.

The know-how

Store your tires in a cool, dry place. Best practice is to store tires in a climate-controlled location (read: not outside), away from the sun or machines that produce ozone, like electric motors, furnaces, and central vacuums.

Mounted or unmounted, tires should be stored either stacked or in the upright position (standing on their treads).

The extra touch

Storing your tires in an airtight bag is a good idea. It’s not necessary, but it’ll help protect your tires from cracking and drying out. First make sure your tires are dry, then wrap each one in a plastic bag and seal it shut. If you aren’t using a plastic bag, place a piece of cardboard between each tire instead.

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