Where To Store Winter Tires

‍Where To Store Winter Tires

A set of winter tires is one of the smartest choices a vehicle owner can make, especially if you live in a climate with cold-weather months. Replacing a set of tires is a challenge, but as soon as our winter tires are removed, we have to store them somewhere in the warmer months.

When you are using winter tires, tire storage raises the question of how to keep them in good condition and ready for the next seasonal change. This is essential and plays a major role in how long your tires will last in the future too.

If you clean your winter tires, treat them correctly and store them in a temperature-controlled environment, they will last for multiple years in storage. The outdoor storage of tires can work but does not provide the same level of protection from stress and extreme temperatures.  

The best place to store winter tires is inside your garage or a basement in your home. It is important to keep them away from sunlight and in cooler areas that won’t get exposed to high temperatures often.

If you don't have the space to store your tires indoors, there are other options. The most important aspect of tire storage is to keep the tires air-conditioned indoors such as a cellar, heated garage, or workshop.

You can also store them outdoors or in separate bags to protect them from the elements. This is the best way to keep tires protected in storage.

Storage Locations For Winter Tires  

Storing winter tires can be an easy process. However, it can be expensive if you do not do it properly. It doesn’t take much to ruin your tires from incorrect storage.

There are a few ideal locations for drivers to store tires. These include a basement, a garage, and a storage unit.

Basement

The basement ranks as the best place to store winter tires for a few reasons. Typically, it is the place with the most space and easiest access in your home. It is also indoors and safe from unexpected events.

The basement also typically remains dark and cool all year. This means your tires would have no exposure to heat or sunlight that could cause them to get damaged or wear down unexpectedly.

Garage

The garage is another good location to store winter tires. However, it does have potential risks too depending on the type of garage you use. If your garage is known to get extremely hot, it might not be the best storage location.

The most important thing with storage though is sunlight. If you can keep your tires away from the sun, they will be safe and typically a garage can offer this plus plenty of space.

Storage Unit

An underrated storage location is a physical storage unit. This is one of the best ideas to store tires but it can be expensive to rent one to simply keep your tires there. However, if you already use a storage unit then it is an excellent idea to move your tires there too.

How To Store Winter Tires

The correct way to store winter tires is to place them inside bags for longer and safer storage. There is a specific set of steps to follow to make sure your tires are kept the right way so they are safe and ready to use for next winter.

1. Clean Tires

The number one thing you need to do with your tires before storage is thoroughly cleaning them in preparation. You can use soap, water, and a durable tire brush to scrub dirt and other debris out of the tire treads.

This will help the tire last longer in storage. You should allow time for the tires to dry too after cleaning them before moving on to the next step. Not only will it make a mess, but you will be putting your tire at risk too.

2. Put Tires In a Storage Bag

After the tires have been cleaned well, you can begin the storage process. Place the tires in a large black plastic bag that can be stored outside during the season. The best type of bag is a large plastic garbage bag, which works well for storage out of season.

The bags will typically fit one tire at a time so you will need up to four bags to effectively make this work. The bags should also have ties on the end for you to seal the tire tightly inside the bag to keep it safer in storage.

3. Find a Safe Storage Area

You want to find a cool area in your home where your tires can be kept. Because these are winter tires, you should still treat them that way and try to keep them out of an area that gets high temperatures for an extended period.

Those who store their winter tires in an air-conditioned area will notice that their tires stay in much better shape come the following winter season. You should also consider space in your storage area and look to avoid stacking things on your tires if possible.

4. Stack Tires Safely

We recommend keeping tires unstacked if possible. But it does not pose a risk if the bags are sealed in the garbage bags anyways. It is easier to stack them and optimize more of your storage space.

However, we want to emphasize not to stack other items on your tires. We have seen instances in the past where spills have occurred over time and they have ruined the tire in storage. This is something you want to avoid at all costs.

What Temperature Should You Store Winter Tires

With winter tires, there is no exact temperature that is necessarily safe or too dangerous. It is nearly impossible to keep your winter tires at 45 degrees for 8 months because this is extremely cold and your home will never reach these temperatures.

However, that is not necessary either. The objective of tire storage is to keep them out of extended sunlight and high heat exposure. You can aim for anywhere between 60-65 degrees regularly if possible.

As long as your tires are in a safe location and sealed in thick bags, the temperature will not be as important as long as it does not endure consistent heat over 80 degrees. At these levels, the tire will start to wear down a bit from regular exposure.

The best thing to focus on for winter tire storage is keeping the storage location dark. It is also ideal to clean the area so there is no rust, dirt, or other debris that will be around your tire that could cause them to get dirty.

Always keep your tires upright or sideways in storage. This is a natural position and will help in the long term.