Quick answer
Clean and dry the tires, then keep them indoors somewhere cool, dark and dry, away from sunlight, heat and ozone sources such as furnaces, sump pumps and compressors. Stack or hang a set that's on wheels, and stand loose tires upright. Continental says any tire more than 10 years old should be replaced, however well it was stored.
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The same storage rules apply to either set: summer tires coming off in the fall, or winter tires coming off in the spring.
Before the set goes into storage
- Note where each tire was. Michelin Canada advises recording each tire's position, so you can rotate the set when it goes back on. Mark each one LF, RF, LR or RR with chalk or a tag.
- Look for damage and uneven wear. Michelin suggests inspecting each tire as it comes off. Transport Canada lists improper alignment and tire imbalance as causes of uneven wear, and suggests an alignment check if you see uneven or rapid wear on the inside or outside edges. If you spot that at swap time, book a wheel alignment check before the next set goes on.
- Wash and dry the tires and wheels. Michelin says to wash them with water, no harsh chemicals, and dry them well to limit corrosion. Pick stones out of the tread grooves, and let the set dry before you bag it.
- Skip the tire shine. Continental says tires need no dressing or gloss product before storage, and that those products can hinder rather than help.
- Bag each tire. Continental recommends a large airtight plastic bag per tire, with the air pushed out and the bag taped shut, to slow the evaporation of oils from the rubber.
- Lower the pressure on a set stored on wheels. Transport Canada advises about 103 kPa (15 psi) to avoid cracking and deformation. The set then needs its full pressure back before anyone drives on it.
Where to keep tires at home
Michelin and Continental agree on the basics: indoors, cool, dry, dark and clean. Continental calls a basement or another climate-controlled space ideal. Within that space, keep the set:
- Away from ozone. Continental names ozone as the chemical to avoid above all. Electric motors with contact brushes produce it, and its list includes generators, compressors, furnaces, switches, sump pumps and central vacuums, so the furnace room is a poor spot.
- Away from heat and light. Michelin lists hot pipes along with direct sunlight, and Transport Canada adds strong artificial light.
- Clear of fuel and chemicals. Continental lists solvents, fuels and lubricants. Michelin wants the surface under the tires free of grease, gasoline, solvents and oils.
- Off bare concrete. Michelin says bare concrete can draw moisture, and suggests a pallet or a storage bag.
Can tires go in an unheated garage?
Both makers steer away from it. Continental says most garages, sheds and attics go through swings in temperature and humidity that storage should avoid, and Michelin says to avoid garages exposed to temperature extremes. If the garage is your only option, bag the tires, set them on a pallet out of window light, and keep them away from the furnace, the compressor and fuel cans.
What about outside?
Michelin allows outdoor storage for a short time only, with the tires raised off the ground under a waterproof cover with holes to stop moisture building up. Tires left unused outdoors for a month or more, it says, dry out and can develop surface cracks. Continental says never to store tires in the open air, even under a cover. A season on the deck or under a tarp goes against both.
Flat or upright?
It depends on whether the tires are on wheels.
| The set | Michelin Canada | Continental |
|---|---|---|
| On wheels | Stack them or hang them. Don't stand them upright | Stacking is preferable, or hang them from racks or hooks |
| Tires only | Stand them upright, side by side. Don't stack or hang them | Standing is preferred, as it puts less stress on the tires. Never hang them |
Continental also warns against stacking too high, since a stack can tip and damage the tires. Transport Canada's tire pamphlet says to store tires upright without separating the two cases, so for a set on wheels, the tire makers' advice is the more specific.
How long tires keep in storage
Neither Michelin nor Continental gives a fixed shelf life, and both say tires age in storage.
- Michelin Canada says tires kept in ideal conditions can be stored for several years without meaningful degradation, but rubber still ages through oxidation. Tires kept outdoors, in sunlight or near heat can crack and degrade (the cracking often called dry rot) in as little as one season. Its storage page says a tire older than six years should get a professional inspection before use, and one over 10 years should be replaced.
- Continental says all tires, spares included, more than 10 years old should be replaced, even if they look usable and have tread left. It adds that it knows of no technical data supporting a specific age limit, and that drivers can't judge age-related deterioration by eye. If your vehicle maker gives a different age, Continental says to follow it.
Continental counts age from the date of manufacture: the last four digits of the code after "DOT" on the sidewall. The first two give the week and the last two the year, so a tire ending in 2714 was made in the 27th week of 2014.
What to check before the set goes back on
Continental recommends a check by a tire professional before stored tires are mounted again, and Michelin lists cracking, stiffness and sidewall integrity. Also look at:
- Damage. Transport Canada says tires with deep cuts, slits, cracks, blisters or bulges are potentially dangerous and should be replaced.
- Tread on a winter set. Transport Canada advises against using tires worn close to 4 mm on snow-covered roads. What counts as a legal winter tire on BC's designated highways is in BC's winter tire rules.
- Age. Compare the date code with Michelin's and Continental's guidance.
- Pressure. Use the figure on the vehicle's tire information label, usually on the driver's door edge or door post, and measure it cold. Transport Canada says tires lose about 7 kPa (1 psi) for every 5°C drop, so pressure set on a mild October day falls as the weather cools.
- Pressure sensors. If the stored set is on its own wheels, Transport Canada notes the tire pressure monitoring system may not work properly with winter tires unless the correct sensors for the vehicle are installed. Big outdoor temperature swings can also bring on the low tire pressure warning.
When leaving the set with a tire shop makes sense
Continental's storage page suggests a tire dealer if you want storage in professional hands. A shop is worth considering when:
- Your only space is a garage with big temperature swings, or a room with a furnace, sump pump or compressor in it.
- You live in an apartment or condo with no indoor spot for four tires.
- Four tires on wheels are heavy and awkward to carry up and down stairs.
- A shop already does your seasonal tire swap, so the off-season set doesn't have to travel home and back.
Customers of West Yale Wheels & Tires who swap between summer and winter tires can leave the off-season set with the shop at 44360 Yale Rd, Chilliwack, for a fee. Fee on request: call the tire counter at 604-391-1766 to ask what's included and what it costs.
