Tire Storage Research Review: Practice Safe Stowing For Longer Tire Life

Professional tire storage is not an expense; it is an investment, one that could save you hundreds of dollars on tire repairs and replacements this season, and save time with seasonal changeovers to boot.

But don’t take our word for it—research by the Rubber Chemistry and Technology journal leaves no doubt about the risks and potential costs of improper tire storage, and that’s what today’s post is all about.

Read on to review tire storage studies and learn what’s necessary to keep your off-season tires in shape, or contact your local TIRECRAFT to get a free quote on professional tire storage right away.

Tire Storage Research Review: The Costs Of Improper Tire Care

In a seminal study by the Rubber Chemistry and Technology journal, researchers measured the impacts that improper tire storage had on product life and performance (i.e. tire wear), and their findings could drastically affect how you choose to store your tires this year.

Specifically, the research team looked at how long-term tire storage in a warehouse at temperatures of 45-50 °C affected the following factors:

• Oil component content
• Tensile strength at break
• Tire hardness
• Rubber viscoelasticity
• Rubber swelling

Perhaps unsurprisingly, given that most tire experts recommend keeping storerooms between 0 ºC (30 ºF) and 25 ºC (77ºF), improper tire storage temperatures took a serious toll, resulting in a marked deterioration in tire performance. In fact, there was a strong negative correlation between tire performance and improper tire storage temperatures—in other words, the longer tires stayed in their hot storeroom, the more performance fell off. And when the study wrapped up, several sets were so bad that they had to be sent straight to local recycling centers.

With a large percentage of Ontario drivers now storing their tires in areas with poor climate-control, be it outdoors, in the garage, or in the shed, thousands of drivers will be putting their rubber at risk this year. And as this study showed, it only takes a single season of improper tire storage to wreck your investment. Ensure your tires are kept in safe storage facilities/conditions, to slow down the aging process of your tires.

What’s more, improper storeroom temperatures are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to tire storage errors. Beyond controlling the temperature of your tire storage space, you’ll also need to:

• Properly clean and dry your tires—Avoid any kind of dressing or gloss products. When in doubt, ask our tire storage team for tire cleaner recommendations.
• Keep your tires out of the sun—UV rays and the sun’s heat can both wreak havoc on your rubber.
• Ensure proper ventilation—Tires should be kept in a clean, cool dry, and dark area that is well ventilated, but with a minimum of circulating air.
• Avoid ozone—Electric motors, welding equipment, generators, and similar equipment must be avoided to preserve the life and performance of your rubber.
• Minimize humidity—Humidity levels should be kept between 50-60%.

Trying to control all of these different variables on your own can be both difficult and costly, but your local TIRECRAFT can help! Whether you need quality tire totes, hanging storage solutions for tires on rims, or you’d rather store your tires with us to guarantee perfect conditions and simplify your seasonal changeover, a certified tire storage expert is standing by.

Get A Free Quote On Professional Tire Storage Options At TIRECRAFT

Ready to practice safe stowing? Your local TIRECRAFT is standing by.

Not only do we guarantee perfect tire storage conditions, but every tire you store with us can earn you customer loyalty points to save you money on future products and services.

To learn more and get a free quote on professional tire storage, use the Find a TIRECRAFT tool on our website.

References

Kataoka, T., Zetterlund, P. B., & Yamada, B. (2003). Effects of storage and service on tire performance: Oil component content and swelling behavior. Rubber Chemistry and Technology, 76(2), 507-516.

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