What's the best way to store my summer wheels/tires while the winter set is on?

Is it okay to stack them horizontally on top of each other?

Should they be stored with normal air pressure (32 psi) ?

I was planning on waxing them while they were off the car with Zaino - unless there's a better suggestion. Does anyone have experience with the wheel wax that TireRack sells or any other wheel wax? Is it really better on wheels than normal auto body wax?

regards,
rx8cited

 

I stored the stock wheels and tires from my Miata for 2 years stacked with thick cardboard between each wheel with no problem. Also, I don't know if really makes a difference, but I used thick coat of silicone based tire dressing (Wesley's) to keep them from dry-rotting.

 

AutoBahnRX8 - thanks for your reply.

Here's what Wes from the TireRack said:

"It is perfectly OK to stack them on top of each other. Just make sure that the tires are away from all electric motors (They create ozone, and ozone degrades rubber) and the sun (UV isn't friendly to rubber either). I always put mine in trash bags, and at normal PSI. Less mess, and helps preserve the rubber."

regards,
rx8cited

 

i get alot of question about the proper way to store tires and wheels. Whether you are storing your summer or winter wheels and tires the basic pricipals are the same.
1) You should always store the tire/wheel in some sort of sealed bag. i would recommend using a large heavy duty lawn trash bag. when the rubber in a tire is breaking down it shows in the form of very small cracks or "checking" that normally appear on the sidewalls of the tires. this is caused by the ozone in the air. it actually deteriorates the rubber when the tire holds one shape for a long period of time. this problem can be slowed extensive if the tires are stored in a sealed bag of some sort.
2) During storage i would recommend stacking the tires on their side on a piece of plywood. this will eliminate flat spotting. concrete tends to absorb and realease moisture depending on the temperature and humidity. the temperature and moisture content of the floor can cause mold to form in the tiny grooves and crevices on the tire and wheel. also, if you enjoy working in your garage you probably have some chemical residue on your garage floor from utility and garden equipment, cars, motorcycle, or cleaning products. if your garage floor were to ever have water leaks these chemicals get picked up by the water and get onto whatever they touch. When petroleum type oils come in contact with tire rubber and are allowed to "soak" in the tires and the rubber can become contaminated and you will see the rubber actually blister up. the end result...... the tire is ruined. another common problem is that since tires are made of a soft material they tend to take on the shape of whatever they are laying on. Cement and concrete floor surfaces can get porous when water pools in one place and soaks in. sometimes the top coat of the floor can stick to the tire when lifted up.

3) I would recommend storing the tires in a temperature controlled area. The tires can be stored at the standard air pressure that you drive them at. Tires will increase or decrease 1 psi for every 10 degrees of ambient air temperature difference they are exposed to As an example:

-The tire is stored with an air pressure of 32 psi and the temperature is 40 degrees (going into winter)
-when the ambient air temperatur reaches 0 degrees the tire pressure will drop to 28 psi
-In the spring when you get the tires out of storage and the temperature is hitting 70 degrees your tire pressure will be at 35 psi.

If you follow these simple storage guidelines your tires will always be in top condition and ready to use.

***moderator edit***

 

Hello Connor,

Thanks much for your detailed reply.

Suggestion: combine your good information with that from your friend Wes (the part about staying away from electrical motors) and put it in the Tech Center on the www.tirerack.com web site .

Happy Thanksgiving,
rx8cited

PS: Feel free to comment on the wheel wax question in my original post .

 

I hang mine (mounted on wheels) on wall mounts from Griot's Garage because I need the floor space. At least the weight is off the tires so I won't get flat spots on part of the tread.