When you guys take off your stock pilots and put on the winter tire and wheel package, where do u store your stock set? Is it harmful to leave them in a cold garage? Ive heard they should be sealed and put in the house. But what are the effects of leaving them out? Uneven wear? Loss of pressure? Thanks in advance.

 

Us here at The Tire Rack recommend the following:

• DO NOT APPLY ANY TIRE DRESSINGS. Tire compounds are formulated to resist ozone cracking or weather checking.
• Keep the tires out of direct sunlight. The sun’s ultraviolet rays and radiant heat are detrimental to rubber. We have used a pyrometer to measure tires that were simply sitting in direct sunlight on a parked vehicle. Surprisingly those tires’ temperatures were 135° Fahrenheit on their surface.
• Place each tire in its own large, opaque, airtight plastic bag (such as lawn and garden bags) for storing. Avoid allowing any moisture and remove as much air as practical (some drivers even use a vacuum cleaner to draw out as much as possible). Close the bag tightly and tape it shut. This places the tire in its own personal mini-atmosphere to help reduce oil evaporation.
• Place the tires in a cool, dry location. It is better to place tires in a dry basement than outdoors or in a hot garage or attic. The basement temperatures will tend to remain cooler and more stable, while outdoor, garage and attic temperatures will often become hot and face daily fluctuations in temperature.
• Keep the tires away from sources of ozone. Electric motors that use contact brushes generate ozone. Keep your tires away from the furnace, sump pump, etc.

Tires also lose 1lb of air naturally per month. So if stored on wheels, make sure you check the air before reinstalling them.

Hope that helps

 

Thanks EXCELR8R,

This is just the kind of excellent informative post that helps a lot of people.

I'd suggest this question and answer be added to the FAQ section.

Gizmo

 

Thanks a lot man, that really helps.

 

anytime any other tire/wheel questions feel free to ask me

 

I doubt the temperature will be an issue. Just make sure they are clean, dry, waxed and sealed from the weather/moisture. A couple of large refuse backs for each tire/wheel should suffice.
You might want to pump up the air a few pounds and check periodically that there are no leaks.
I also wouldn't pile one on the other. Standing up individually against a wall is fine.

Come on Spring.