How to Properly Store Your Summer Tires: A Canadian Guide

Getting Your Tires Ready for Hibernation

As the temperatures drop across Canada, the swap to winter tires is a rite of passage for every driver. While most of the focus is on the grip your new winter rubber provides, what you do with your summer tires is equally important. Improper storage doesn't just take up space in the garage—it can lead to dry rot, flat spots, and premature degradation of the rubber compounds.

Step 1: Clean and Inspect

Before you tuck them away, clean your tires thoroughly. Brake dust, road grime, and salt residue from late-season driving contain chemicals that can slowly eat away at the rubber over several months. Use a mild soap and water solution with a stiff brush. Once clean, let them dry completely. While you're at it, inspect the tread for embedded stones, nails, or cracks in the sidewall. If you find significant damage, it is better to know now than when you are getting ready to install them in the spring.

Step 2: Proper Labeling

It is easy to forget which tire came from which corner of the vehicle. Use a tire crayon or a piece of masking tape to label the inside of the tire (e.g., "LF" for Left Front, "RR" for Right Rear). This allows you to rotate your tires according to your vehicle manufacturer’s recommended pattern when you reinstall them next season, ensuring even wear across the set.

Step 3: Climate and Position Matter

Rubber is sensitive to its environment. Follow these best practices to ensure they last:

• Keep them cool and dark: UV rays and extreme temperature fluctuations are the enemies of rubber. A dark, cool, dry garage or basement is ideal.
• Avoid ozone sources: Keep tires away from electric motors, furnaces, or sump pumps, as these devices generate ozone, which can cause rubber to crack.
• Storage orientation: If your tires are still on rims, you can stack them horizontally. If they are removed from the rims, store them vertically (standing up) and rotate them every few weeks to prevent flat spots.
• Seal them up: Place each tire in an opaque, airtight plastic bag (like a large contractor bag) to minimize exposure to the air, which helps reduce the evaporation of the tire's internal lubricants.

When to Seek Professional Help

While cleaning and storing tires is a straightforward DIY task, inspecting them for structural integrity is not. If you notice deep cracking, uneven "cupping" wear, or bulges in the sidewall, your tires may be reaching the end of their safe lifespan. If you are uncertain about the safety of your rubber, it is always best to have a local tire shop or trusted mechanic perform a professional inspection.

How Fixbud Can Help

Not sure if your tires have enough tread left to survive another season, or perhaps you've spotted a strange cut in the sidewall and aren't sure if it's a hazard? Fixbud helps you bridge the gap between discovery and solution. You can take a photo of your tire condition, and Fixbud will help you understand the damage and guide you on whether it is a DIY-manageable issue or a situation that requires a professional assessment.

Conclusion

Taking an extra hour to properly clean and store your summer tires this fall will pay dividends come spring. You’ll be ready to swap them back on without delay, and your tires will last longer. Remember, proper maintenance isn't just about what's on your car today; it's about taking care of the components waiting for their turn to get back on the road.

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