How to Store Tires: Everything You Need to Know

Every year, many drivers run into the same problem. In fall and spring, especially in colder states like New York, seasonal tire changes take place, and suddenly you are left with four tires and no clear place to put them. In many cases, the garage is not big enough, you do not want to keep the bulky tires inside the house, and you probably do not want to leave the rubber giants sitting in the yard either. Nothing ruins the look of an outdoor space quite like tires left lying around at random. So you start looking for tire storage options elsewhere, and self storage offers an obvious solution. Before you load your tires into the car and rent self storage to get them out of sight, however, there are a few important things you should know about tire storage. Certain preparations are necessary to make sure your tires are stored safely for several months. The following guide gives you practical tips for storing tires properly.

What You Absolutely Need to Check Before Storing Tires

Before you put your tires into storage until the next season, create a checklist that covers all precautions for proper storage. The checklist should include the following steps:

• Right after the tire change, note each tire’s position so you know where it was mounted during the previous season. Mark the position with common abbreviations such as RF (right front), LR (left rear), and so on.
• Clean your tires thoroughly before storing them.
• While cleaning, inspect the tires for possible damage such as cracks, holes, or scratches. Look closely at the tread to see how much it has already worn down.
• If you are storing the complete wheel, do not forget to clean the rims and check their condition as well. Pay particular attention to dents, bends, and wheel runout.
• Add air to the tires.
• Ask your tire shop or tire manufacturer about the correct storage position for your tires. In general, tires without rims should be stored upright to prevent damage during storage. Tire racks designed for this purpose, which can be set up in a basement, garage, or self storage unit, are available at most hardware stores, auto parts stores, and online.

Check the Condition and Tread Depth

Before you even start checking the condition of your tires, you should determine their age. Each tire has a DOT code printed on the sidewall. More on that below. If all four tires are still within their usable age range, you can begin the actual tire inspection: Look for cracks, holes, uneven or worn-down areas, stuck stones, and general abrasion on the rubber, including along the sidewalls. Inspect the metal edge of the tires and rims for bends, dents, and rust. Measure the tread depth on each tire using a tread depth gauge or a common U.S. coin test. Insert the gauge or coin into a tread groove, preferably near the center of the tire. If the tread is still deep enough, the tire may be suitable for another season. Keep in mind that tires wear unevenly, so you need to check each tire individually. If you are storing complete wheels, you also need to inspect the rims for corrosion damage, rust, dents, scratches, and cracks.

Clean Tires and Rims Properly

After a seasonal tire change, your tires have already been through at least one season of heavy use. Road grime and dust have built up in the tread and on the surface and can affect both durability and driving performance next season. When switching from winter tires to summer or all-season tires, road salt adds extra stress and can wear down materials if the tires are not cleaned properly. That is why you should always clean your tires and/or rims before putting them into storage. Follow these steps when cleaning your tires: Start with a basic wash. A bucket of water and a small amount of dish soap is enough. Use a stiff brush to remove packed-in mud and dirt. Then apply a dedicated tire and wheel cleaner. Please note that tires should not be treated with products containing oil or solvents, as these can affect the rubber and change the tire’s driving behavior. Special tire cleaners provide a deeper clean and can remove oil residue, brake dust, and heavy dirt. Afterward, dry your tires thoroughly with a terry cloth towel to prevent moisture buildup and related rust during storage. For storage, it is also recommended to wax the tires to protect them from dust, moisture, and other environmental factors during the storage period. Make sure your tires and rims are stored in a dry, clean space. If you use a pressure washer, keep it at least 20 inches away from the tires so you do not stress or damage the surface.

Increase Tire Pressure Before Storage

Many vehicle owners openly admit that they check their tire pressure too rarely and often do not even know what PSI their vehicle requires. Regularly checking and adjusting tire pressure is one of the easiest ways to support safer driving and reduce unnecessary tire wear. During storage, your tires are not exposed to traffic or road hazards, but proper storage with the right air pressure can significantly extend tire life and help prevent dangerous situations later. To check your current tire pressure, you can usually use a local gas station. Many gas stations offer tire pressure gauges and air compressors for free or for a small fee. You can also buy your own tire pressure gauge for about $20 at a hardware store, supermarket, big-box retailer, or auto parts store. You can usually find the exact recommended tire pressure for your vehicle in the glove compartment, on the driver-side door jamb, on the passenger-side door area, or inside the fuel door. Tire pressure information can also be found in your vehicle owner’s manual and online. As mentioned above, before storage you should generally add up to about 7 PSI more air than the manufacturer recommends. This helps offset pressure loss during storage. However, make sure the tire sidewall is not overstressed. This is also a good time to check the tire valves and buy new valve caps if any are missing or damaged. Valve caps are available at gas stations, hardware stores, and auto parts stores.

How Do You Store Tires Without Rims?

Basically, there is only one proper way to store tires without rims: vertically and upright. Tires without rims should never be stored lying flat, and they should definitely not be stacked. Simply hanging tires without rims on a wall to get them out of the way in a garage or basement can also put a lot of stress on the tires. More on that below. To make sure the tires remain stable in an upright position, you should get a tire rack or tire stand. These can even be custom made, or you can buy them for about $40 to $55 at a hardware store or auto parts retailer.

Why Tires Without Rims Should Be Stored Upright

Vertical tire storage primarily helps keep the rubber in its natural position. When you keep tires upright with a little space between them, they cannot press against one another or put stress on each other. The unnatural pressure created by stacking can deform tires and lead to faster wear. When you try to use them again next season, this can cause unpleasant surprises because the tires may no longer mount easily. Hanging tires without rims for several months can also cause them to lose their natural shape. The hooks press into the tire bead and deform the casing. The tire’s own weight, along with gravity, pulls the tire downward and puts extreme strain on the rubber. For very short-term storage, such as transportation to a storage facility, laying tires down is not a problem. Just make sure they are placed upright again once they arrive.

How Often Should You Rotate Tires During Storage?

Even upright tires without rims can be exposed to certain stresses during long-term storage over several months. To avoid one-sided pressure points, which may also negatively affect the tread, you should rotate the tires regularly. Visit your tires every 4 to 6 weeks and rotate each one by about a quarter turn to distribute pressure evenly across the tire. This is the only way to avoid flat spots and help make sure the rubber keeps its shape after storage. Many tire shops, auto repair shops, and specialized self storage providers now offer professional tire storage services. In these cases, trained staff handle proper storage on dedicated tire racks and rotate the tires regularly. Professional tire storage usually costs between about $25 and $65 per season. If you have your tires changed at the same shop where you store them, the price is usually lower. Additional costs for cleaning, inspection, repair, and proper balancing may also apply, but you save yourself a lot of hassle and gain peace of mind that your tires will be safe when you use them again.

How Do You Store Tires Mounted on Rims?

While tires without rims should only be stored upright, tires mounted on rims should be stored lying flat or hanging. Unlike a tire change, where only the rubber tire is replaced, a wheel change removes both the tire and the rim. Rims weigh between about 13 and more than 22 pounds, and that weight could put heavy stress on the rubber during long-term vertical storage, even with regular rotation. At the same time, rims help keep the tire casing in its proper shape during storage, so there is nothing wrong with storing complete wheels lying flat. There are also special storage racks for complete wheels, though they cost much more than standard tire racks, often starting at around $110. Complete wheels can also be hung on wheel trees or wall-mounted holders. Although stacking complete wheels that are lying flat does not damage the rubber in the same way as stacking tires without rims, this storage method is still not recommended. When stacked on top of each other, the rims can not only get scratched, but also trap moisture and rust.

How Should Wheels Be Stacked or Hung Correctly?

Proper tire storage after a seasonal change starts with cleaning. Once you have made sure your tires, with or without rims, are dry, you may want to invest in tire bags or tire covers. These breathable covers protect the tires from dust and keep them separate from one another on storage racks without trapping moisture. If you want to install proper wall mounts for tires mounted on rims, make sure both the wall and the mounting system can support the weight. Four complete wheels weigh about 220 to 265 pounds. To prevent rust, racks, mounts, and wheel trees should be made of galvanized steel. If the wall mount for tires mounted on rims uses hooks, make sure the hooks are rounded and have no sharp edges that could damage the tires or rims.

How Do You Avoid Damage and Scratches?

If you decide not to buy tire bags in order to save money, you can still protect your tires and rims from scratches and dents using simple, less expensive methods. Place cardboard discs or pieces of foam sheeting between the tires to keep them from rubbing against each other. You can also place old blankets or bedsheets over the tires to protect the surface from dust and dirt. Also make sure hubcaps and lug nuts or bolts are removed before storage and kept in a safe place where you can find them again.

How Long Can Tires Be Stored?

As a general rule, tires should not be stored for longer than one season. You will also find that many self storage providers specializing in tire storage set a maximum storage period of 6 months per tire set. If you want to store your tires for longer, remember that rubber and other tire materials have a limited lifespan, even when they are not being used. Environmental factors such as moisture, temperature changes, light, and even oxygen trigger chemical reactions and slowly contribute to the breakdown of tire rubber. The result can be small cracks, deformation, and other tread damage that is often not visible to the naked eye but can create dangerous situations on the road. In general, tires last no longer than five to six years, even with light use, before the rubber material degrades to the point where the tires should no longer be used. Fortunately, tires sold in the U.S. carry a DOT tire identification number that includes manufacturing information.

How Do You Read the DOT Code?

Because tires may sit in storage before being sold, it is worth checking the manufacturing date using the DOT code when you buy new tires. The DOT code is located on the tire sidewall and consists of a series of numbers and letters that provide information about the tire, including manufacturing details, size, and tire type. The date is shown as four numbers, usually stamped in an oval frame. The first two numbers represent the week the tire was manufactured, and the last two represent the year, for example 2425: week 24 of 2025. Tires generally have a maximum usable life of about six years, even if they have been stored, and should be disposed of after that period. Tire professionals may also check the DOT date code during inspections, service, or replacement.

How Much Does Tire Storage Cost?

The cost of storing your tires depends on the services you use in addition to storage itself. Many tire shops and auto repair shops offer tire storage starting at around $25 per season. Keep in mind, however, that cheap does not always mean good. Tires need to be kept in dry, well-ventilated, climate-controlled spaces to prevent deterioration during storage. Make sure your tire storage provider offers these conditions. At the same time, tires need to be stored according to manufacturer guidance on dedicated racks and stands and rotated regularly. If you handle proper storage requirements such as racks and tire rotation yourself, you may be able to settle for lower rent, but you need to factor in additional costs and a significant time investment. Full-service tire storage offers an excellent alternative to traditional tire shops. Not only are your tires stored professionally in dark, well climate-controlled storage facilities, but full-service providers such as BOXIE24 can also pick them up from your location and bring them back to you, in many cases at no additional charge.

Common Tire Storage Mistakes

Whether you store your tires at home or place them in storage, mistakes happen all the time. Here are some of the most common ones:

• Too warm or too cold: Tires should be stored at a temperature between 50°F and 77°F. Major temperature swings shorten their lifespan.
• Too much light: Rubber should never be exposed to direct sunlight because UV rays make the material brittle.
• Too much moisture: Tires must be stored dry to prevent moisture from affecting the rubber.
• Wrong position: Tires without rims must be stored upright to prevent deformation. Complete wheels must be stored lying flat and/or on dedicated wall mounts or wheel trees.

Where Is the Best Place to Store Tires?

After a tire change, most people probably first think about storing their tires at home. While this may seem like the cheapest and most convenient solution, it is easy to forget the extra costs for climate control, room insulation, storage racks, and similar requirements. Auto repair shops and tire shops usually offer low-cost tire storage per season. In most cases, however, this type of storage is limited to only a few months. The rent may be low, but repair shops often recover the cost through other required services, including tire changes, balancing, cleaning, and similar work. If you do not need those services, you usually will not get the cheapest storage option either. Full-service tire storage providers, such as BOXIE24, offer the best self storage alternative. Your tires are stored professionally on appropriate racks and stands under optimal conditions. Specially trained drivers also pick up your tires from your home, transport them to the storage facility, and bring them back to you. This means your tires are not only stored properly, but also insured for the entire storage period. The price for full-service tire storage is usually about $9 per week, depending on your location, expected storage duration, and whether you want to store additional items along with the tires. For a no-obligation quote for your tire storage, contact BOXIE24 through our website or customer service team.