Features of storage of winter tires
Many motorists are thinking about how to save winter tires until next season. Keep winter tires account for about 6-7 months. And during this time, anything can happen to rubber. If you believe the information that is teeming with the Internet, then if stored incorrectly, by the beginning of winter we will get cracked and crooked rubber.
“ Storing rubber properly means keeping a certain humidity and temperature, hanging wheels on semicircular brackets and periodically ventilating and turning them .”
Agree that such advice, nothing but a smile can cause. Of course, there are motorists - fans who are able to follow the instructions described. But most people have no time to do this, and not everyone has space for hanging such devices. But nevertheless, some knowledge on this subject is needed. We’ll talk about them.
The rubber the tires are made of is a composite material . “ Composite” - means that in addition to polymers, rubber also includes various kinds of fillers: sulfur, soot, various stabilizers and fittings - metal and textile cord. Fillers make the wheel stronger and polymers more elastic.
There is nothing eternal in nature. This also applies to rubber. Rubber ages over time and loses its elasticity. Light, excessive cold, heat, high humidity - all these factors affect its aging. If rubber loses its elasticity, then it will become more fragile and hard. And, therefore, not suitable for winter operating conditions.
From this knowledge, the rules for storing winter tires follow :
- Before laying the tires for storage, wash and dry them .
- Treat rubber with a preservative for tire storage. These funds are available for sale and finding them is not difficult. Conservatives consist of oxidation inhibitors - substances that slow down the aging process of rubber.
- If possible, pack each wheel in a special tire storage case. So you protect the rubber from exposure to light. Tire storage boxes are also for sale. They do not let in light, and the tires do not wrinkle in them.
- Do not store the wheels on the balcony. Summer heat will not do them any good. Rubber must be stored, as any medicine is stored in a dry and cool place. In principle, it doesn’t matter how you fold the wheels “ stand”, “ well” or hang on the brackets. The main thing is that the tires do not interfere with anyone, and they are not moved from place to place.
- If the wheels will be stored together with the disks, then it is not necessary to lower or increase the air pressure. Wheels with wheels should be folded “ well”. And preferably on a horizontal surface.
- Today, most auto centers offer a service for storing winter tires. Having handed over the tires to specialists for storage, in one fell swoop you will solve all the problems of storing winter tires.
- And the last. Each tire has a marking that indicates the date of manufacture. The first two digits indicate the week, and the second two years of release. Shelf life of tires is about 7 years . If the expiration date expires in winter, then there is no point in storing such rubber. If you would like to learn more, please visit: Tire Guide
