Storing Tires

Stored tires should be protected against environmental effects such as sunlight, high heat, ozone and other potentially damaging conditions. Weather checking/ozone cracking can occur during direct and extended exposure to damaging effects of the environment, such as ozone and heat from sunlight. Ozone cracking can also be caused by exposure to electric motors, welding equipment, or other ozone generating sources. Tires with severe weather checking/ozone cracking or any cracking that extends to the tire casing cords/plies should be removed from service.
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• Store tires where the area is clean, dry and well ventilated, but with a minimum of circulating air.
• Store tires in an area with temperate ambient conditions (mild temperatures, shaded or dark).
• Store tires raised off a storage area's floor surface to minimize exposure to moisture or damage.
• Avoid contact with petroleum-based products and/or other volatile solvents or substances.
• Store tires away from electric motors, battery chargers, generators, welding equipment or other ozone generating sources.

Indoor storage is recommended, however if tires must be stored outdoors:

• Store tires where they are raised off the ground (or on storage racks) and not in contact with heat absorbent surfaces.
• Protect tires with an opaque, waterproof covering with some type of vent openings to avoid creating a "heat box" or "steam bath" effect.

Tires mounted on a stored vehicle

Store the vehicle such that all weight is removed from the tires. If vehicle weight cannot be removed, unload the vehicle to minimize the weight. Maintain the recommended tire inflation pressure, including the spare. The surface where the vehicle is parked/stored should be firm, reasonably level, well drained and clean. Vehicle should be moved every three (3) months so the tire flex area is changed.

Returning tires from storage back to service

Before placing stored tires back into service, a tire service professional should conduct a visual and tactile inspection to be sure each tire is clean, dry, free of foreign objects, and/or does not show signs of damage. Once mounted on a rim/wheel, the tire (including the spare tire) should be inflated to the recommended inflation pressure.