Note to car owners: how to properly store wheels on rims?
Twice a year, car owners are faced with the need to replace tires.
The difficulty arises not so much with removal and installation, but with the correct organization of storage, taking into account all the features and specifics.
A set of tires is quite expensive, so it makes sense to take care of its safety in advance.
We’ll tell you in this article how to properly and where it’s best to store tires on rims.
Content
Storage conditions
Wheels removed from a car should not be left in the first place available. Despite the high strength and wear resistance of automobile rubber, a number of requirements are imposed on the place that is designated for storage. Unsuitable and open places directly on the street are not suitable for this.
The space allocated for car tires must meet the following requirements:
not high humidity;- protection from sunlight;
- protection from artificial lighting;
- no contact with chemicals (technical fluids that are used to maintain a car, household chemicals, etc.);
- compliance with temperature conditions ranging from -30? C to +35? C;
- distance from operating heating devices.
The storage must be dry and not dirty. Tires should be placed horizontally or suspended on the rims.
During storage, avoid squeezing the rubber and eliminate the possibility of puncture by sharp objects. Even a tool that has not been put away and scattered in the garage where the wheels are planned to be stored can pose a danger.
Features for different seasons
When storing tires, it is necessary to consider what time of year the storage occurs. Rubber that is designed for winter operating conditions differs from that intended for summer.
in winter
Summer tires are sent for storage in winter. Even in the cold season, tires should be protected from direct sunlight.
For winter storage, it is important to treat summer tires with special compounds. Designed for use in the summer, such tires on rims should be stored in compliance with the temperature regime, preferably without allowing the ambient air to sub-zero.
In summer
In the summer, you need to find a place to store winter tires.. It is softer than summer, so being on discs is the best option for it.
If winter wheels are stacked, then the pressure in them should be about 1.5 atmospheres.
Another feature of winter tires is their pronounced deep tread.. Before storing the tires, they need to be very thoroughly cleaned. It is also very important to provide protection from sunlight and any exposure to high temperatures.
In what position is it better to hold the tires - standing or lying down?
Tires removed from a car can be sent for storage in one of two forms: with or without rims. This is a defining moment when organizing a situation during a long stay between seasons.
Preparation
At the stage of preparation for storing tires on rims, they are removed and labeled. The rubber must not only be washed, but also thoroughly cleaned., sweeping small stones and dirt out of the tread.
For better preservation for a significant period of time, it is better to treat rubber with special means. Only completely dry automobile tires are stored for storage.
Proper packaging
For storage and ease of carrying and marking tires, special covers are used. They can only be put on wheels that are clean and prepared for storage.
Case manufacturers use special material to make them.which prevents condensation from accumulating.
In addition, most of these packages have handles for easy carrying and the ability to mark the position of the wheel relative to the car (right rear, left front, etc.). This will allow you to mount the wheels during installation to compensate for wear.
Place
When choosing a place where rubber is stored, it is necessary to take into account that Rubber maintenance conditions must comply with the rules for temperature and humidity etc. It is easier for residents of private buildings to find a suitable place to keep tires.
In a city apartment, the choice of location is very limited for objective reasons - limited free space.
Balcony
A balcony is most often used to keep tires in a city apartment. It must be glazed and properly equipped to allow wheels to be hung or stored.
An open balcony is not suitable as a storage place, since it will not be possible to create suitable storage conditions for rubber.
Options for implementing storage include a raised floor, a box or other equipment that can be placed in a small area. Read more here.
Garage
Storing removed wheels in the garage is a traditional solution to the problem. If the garage is spacious, combining a workshop and a room for maintaining a car, then it is possible to arrange the removed wheels in a way that is more convenient: fold them in a stack, install them on brackets in the wall, or use another option.
The best conditions can be realized in a stone building. A heated garage box with good ventilation and no light is the best option. In a metal garage it is not always possible to control the level of humidity, temperature and other conditions of the car.
Even in a large garage, it is advisable to place the wheels in an orderly manner - on racks, shelves or platforms. If there is a possibility of accidental contact with technical fluids on the rubber, it is better to place the wheels in covers or cover them. Read more here.
Tire center
Sending rubber to a tire center allows you to combine professional care and maintenance for a long time in the most correct conditions. This method allows you not to worry about finding free space on the balcony or in the garage.The downside is the additional costs of paying for the services of a tire center.
Other options
In addition to the standard options for storing removed rubber, Alternative options for organizing storage spaces are also possible:
- storage rooms;
- attic spaces;
- sheds;
- directly on the car (if the car is not used for a long time), etc.
Sheds and attics are not ideal storage options. But if there are no other places available, you have to be content with what you have, adapting the premises as much as possible to the required conditions.
If the car will not be used for a long time, it is placed in a garage. In this case, it is necessary to unload as much as possible. The body is placed on stands, removing the load from the wheels.
Even on a car that is not in use, it is necessary to periodically check and maintain tire pressure. It's better to cover the rubber. When idle for many months, the position of the car should change every few weeks.
Consequences of improper storage
Ignoring the rules for storing tires can lead to a sharp reduction in their service life. Rubber exposed to the external environment ages quickly. Its surface may crack and deform.
Long-term storage of tires with rims on the edge also leads to deformation.. It is no longer possible to correct this situation, and the kit has to be completely replaced.
Tire installation rules
Before changing to seasonal tires, the removed tires must be inspected for wear and damage. If the wear is small, the wheels are swapped so that the abrasion is more uniform. If there is significant wear and low tread depth, rubber should not be used.
The age of the tires must also be taken into account.. Even if the tires have not been used much, but their age has reached 6-7 years, they will require replacement.
Video on the topic of the article
You can watch the video to see how to properly maintain your tires:
Conclusion
Proper storage of tires on rims allows you to extend the life of the rubber and eliminates the need to purchase a new set. High-quality maintenance of car “shoes” is not only financial savings. It must be remembered that rubber that has lost its physical properties jeopardizes traffic safety.
