How To Store Winter Tires Safely: 6 Tips To Prevent Dry Rot

Today’s post explains how to store winter tires to prevent dry rot, a leading cause of premature tire failure that affects hundreds of drivers every year.

Read on to review the risks and warning signs, and learn how to practice safe off-season storage, or contact your local TIRECRAFT to book a tire storage consultation.

What Is Dry Rot?

The term “dry rot” is not exclusive to the tire industry; it is also used to describe a fungal condition in wood that is caused by excess moisture. This “dual usage” has been a cause for confusion among drivers, but it’s easily cleared up.

Although both terms refer to types of decay, tire dry rot is not caused by moisture or fungus. On the contrary, tire dry rot occurs when tires lose their moisture and become tough and brittle. The five main culprits of tire dry rot are:

1. Tire age
2. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays
3. Excessive exposure to ozone (i.e. storing tires near electric motors, battery charges, generators, welding equipment, etc)
4. Storing winter tires in extreme temperatures and/or humidity
5. Lack of use

Dry rot is not just an eyesore—it is also very dangerous to drive on. Even mild cases allow air to escape the tire, making it difficult or even impossible to maintain proper air pressure. And as your tires continue to decay, the risks of tire blowouts dramatically increase.

Knowing how to spot the signs of dry rot is important, as minor sidewall cracking can often be repaired and further damage can be prevented if detected early. The most common signs of dry rot are:

• Cracks on the sidewall of the tire
• Flaking or brittle rubber; a “breakable” appearance
• Cracks in the tire’s tread pattern
• Fading/discolouration

If you’re unsure whether your tires are showing signs of dry rot, get in touch with your local TIRECRAFT for a free consultation and tire assessment.

How To Store Winter Tires Safely: 6 Tips To Prevent Dry Rot

1. Clean your tires before storing them. If you stow tires caked in mud, your risks of dry rotting increase. This is because some of your tires’ essential oils lift away as the moisture in the mud evaporates over the off-season. To prevent this, give your winter tires a good cleaning before you tuck them away. No special tire cleaning products are required (or even recommended)—just use a mild dish soap or detergent with water, rinse thoroughly, and allow your tires to fully dry before storing.

2. Keep your winter tires out of direct sunlight while in storage. Ultraviolet rays degrade tire oils and resins that keep tires supple, which leads to dry rot over time. If your storage area lets in any natural light, consider finding a new space or keeping your tires under a weatherproof cover.

3. Keep your storage area at the right temperature. Temperatures above 20°C or below 7°C can speed up the dry rotting process, as can any dramatic shifts in temperature. To prevent this, try to keep your tires in a climate controlled area, or ask your local TIRECRAFT about professional storage options.

4. Control humidity levels. Excessively dry environments and big shifts in humidity levels increase the risks of dry rotting. For best results, we recommend keeping the air humidity between 50-60%. If it’s any higher, you should make time to ventilate the space regularly. If you aren’t sure about the humidity levels and you don’t want to install a hygrometer, professional storage will be the safest option.

5. Keep your winter tires clear of ozone-emitting equipment. As mentioned in the previous section, ozone-emitting equipment is one of the main culprits of dry rotting, so keep your winter tires well clear of battery chargers, motors, and generators. If you cannot relocate this equipment and you don’t have anywhere else to stow your tires, get in touch with your local TIRECRAFT to discuss pro storage.

6. Get your tires inspected during changeover season and before putting them in storage. It’s a good idea to inspect your tires on a regular basis, but pay them extra attention during changeover season. If you notice any cracks, flaking, or discolouration, and your tires aren’t nearing their retirement date, you’ll know something is wrong with your current storage setup, and depending on the extent of the damage, there may be time to correct the issue.

If you’d rather automate your storage and inspection responsibilities, get in touch with your local TIRECRAFT. We offer professional storage solutions and inspections are included as part of every seasonal changeover service.

Back