How to store rims and tyres? How to choose tyre service and car repair tools
Improperly stored tyres can quickly get damaged. Get to know how to store them properly.
The tyre changing season is in full bloom. We’re sure that many customers leave tyres at your site. Today, we’d like to remind you how to properly store tyres – so that it does not get damaged. Get to know the few basic rules regarding the storage of rims and tyres.
What damages tyres?
The most important threats for tyres
- high temperature
- wetness
- sunlight (ozone)
- chemical products
Beware of high temperatures
Too much heat is harmful for any tyre that you store. This means, you have to keep it away from various heat source – this pertains to ovens, as well as other hot elements.
What is the best temperature? One tyre manufacturing company specifies the following requirements:
- temperatures over 25 degrees Celsius could be harmful for the rubber structure
- temperatures lower than 0 degrees Celsius could be harmful for the rubber structure
- temperatures below 15 degrees Celsius – perfect condition for storing tyres
How does temperature affect tyres? If it is too high in the room you keep tyres at, the rubber may quickly go bad – it becomes fragile, and there is a risk of shape loss. Obviously, this is a natural process but when tyres are stored at improper temperatures, this happens much faster.
Keep tyres away from chemical products
Chemical products are just another thing harmful for tyres. All the chemical compounds may negatively affect rubber’s structure. How to understand this?
To put it shortly – never store tyres in places where they are exposed to chemical products like:
- oils
- solvents
- greases
Humidity kills!
Keep tyres at perfectly dry conditions. Humidity causes the rubber to go bad. the rims themselves can be affected too – they can get corroded because of it. After all, water may appear on unused tyres.
Beware of the compressor
Don’t forget that piston compressors create a large ionizng field. This might be harmful for the rubber’s structure. That’s why you should keep tyres away from these tools.
How to prepare tyres for storage?
Be sure to prepare the tyres for winter storage. There’s a range of things you need to do.
- tyre cleaning
- checking their condition
- drying them
See more about all of these steps
Tyre cleaning
Be sure to remove all the dirt from the tyres. This pertains to chemical products, like oils, gas or other solvents. They reside on tyres, causing their reliability to go down. It may also be a good idea to remove any dirt that appears on the tyres – sand, stones or dust often fall between tyres treads.
How to wash tyres? Water with a sponge/brush would suffice. A pressure washer won’t hurt too. Just remember to keep it away from the tyres’ surface – at least the 30-35 cm. Don’t forget to clean the rims too.
Checking tyres’ condition
Be sure to check tyres’ condition. Look for any cracks or other improper signs. If you don’t find these, you can start drying them.
How to store tyres?
It’s always better to keep the tyres vertically than perpendicularly. This lowers the pressure over the tyres, which means lower risk of any shape losses.
Remember to keep tyres in tyre bags. They protect tyres against external factors – like UV rays or dirt. Just make sure tyres are perfectly dry.
Keeping tyres without rims
What to do?
- Put them perpendicularly – one after another. This prevents deformation.
- Put them in tyre bags – one tyre per bag is perfect.
- keep the pressure at the same level
Consider
1/ Putting them on a tyre stand
Avoid
1/ Hanging them on hooks
2/ Putting one tyre on another
Remember
Rotate tyres by 90 degrees at least once a month!
Keeping tyres with rims
1/ Put one wheel on another. You can also hang them on hooks. Remember – that tote should not contain of more than 4 tyres
2/ Put a piece of paper under the lowest wheel – to keep it away from the surface.
3/ keep the pressure at the same level
Consider
1/ You can put some paper between wheels in a tote.
Avoid
1/ Keeping them perpendicularly – they may lose shape (rims are heavy)
