Tyre storage: How to keep seasonal tyres well-organised and protected
With the changing seasons, and depending on where motorists live, it might be necessary to focus on changing tyres. Whether you are switching to summer or winter tyres, it is important to know how to store off-season tyre sets.
Australian tyre recycler and owner of Branigans Tyres, Chris Lett, discusses tyre storage, and how vehicle owners can keep seasonal tyres protected and organised until they’re needed on the roads again.
Proper tyre handling and storage can affect the characteristics of the tyres. “If handled and stored poorly, it can shorten the life span of the tyre, leading to storage deterioration that can result in tyres needing to be replaced. However, if tyres are handled and stored correctly, and the following tips are adhered to, they will provide many years of on road service and save vehicle owners a lot of money,” says Lett.
Clean the tyres: With some detergent, a bucket of water and a tyre brush, clean those tyres before storing them. This will provide a fresher look and feel for stored tyres, along with the necessary removal of the previous season’s dirt. Ensure that after cleaning, tyres are dried and prepared for storage.
Wrap them up in bags: Provide large, yard bags or even leaf bags that are airtight to fit each tyre in. “It is important to ensure that both tyres and bags are free of moisture. This will reduce the evaporation of oils from rubber compounds. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove air from the bag,” says Lett.
Keep stored tyres away from the sunlight: “All stored tyres should be kept out of direct sunlight as UV Rays and the heat of the sun can create issues on the rubber,” says Lett.
Select the ideal location: Tyres should not be stored in the open air even under a covering during cold or warm weather. Dry, cool and well-ventilated areas that are out of the sunlight like garages, basements, attics or even sheds are better storage areas for your tyres. If possible, it is important that these areas are climate-controlled, keeping tyres away from any unwanted heat or inconsistent temperatures.
Keep tyres away from chemicals: Avoid chemicals like Ozone. In particular, electric motors using contact brushes generate ozone. These can include, furnaces, generators, and compressors, among others. Storage areas should not be near lubricants, solvents or fuels either.
White rubber must be secured: Should tyres have white lettering, take note. If you decide not to bag the tyres, then it is crucial that the white areas touch other white areas, and black areas touch the other black areas. This is because the black rubber located on the white side is compounded differently than the black rubber located on the other side. The non-staining black rubber layer is used on the tyre’s white side to prevent oils moving from the black to the white areas of the tyre, leading to discolouration. Thus, storing black to the other black, and whites alike will avoid any marks.
Stand them, stack them or hang them: The options to stand tyres upright, stack them on their sides or hand them up on racks are up for choice in terms of storage. “As long as tyres are placed in ways that provide less stress on each other, prevent damage or unwanted tipping,” says Lett.
“Tyres are prone to ageing, however these tips will assist in extending their lives and performance,” says Lett. Make seasonal tyre storage a priority, and your tyres will be ready to use again for next season’s journeys.
At Branigans Tyres, Chris Lett and his team ‘go green’ and are experts in the recycled tyre business. Branigans Tyres has well-established workshops in Burleigh Heads and Southport in the Gold Coast region. Checkout their full range of services or current featured promotions. Branigans award-winning affordable tyre subscriptions package start at $7.97 and help motorists budget for their ongoing tyre needs.
Vehicle owners are encouraged to drive in at their convenience as no pre-bookings or appointments are required. Branches are situated at 13 Flagstone Drive, Burleigh Heads, contact number (07) 5535 2660 or 1/277 Southport-Nerang Rd, Southport contact number, (07) 5591 8633.
Written and Syndicated by: YDMA News
