Changing and depositing tires are some of the primary seasonal tasks drivers have to fulfill, but when done right, they can guarantee an extended lifetime, increased safety and less money spending.
Since winter or summer don't usually ask permission to set camp on the roads we use, being well-prepared solves half of the problem. Here are the basic steps you need to check in order to make sure your car's tires are properly stored regardless what season we're talking about.
Before storing the tires
Give them a thorough inspection. Check for damage, cuts, dents and uneven wear.
Clean the tires with water (and a mild soap) while looking to remove stones or any other debris stuck in between the grooves. Also, don't forget to let them dry before proceeding to the actual storing phase.
Mark each tire with the position it was removed from. This eases your work when you'll need to replace or rotate them once the weather conditions demand it.
Storing the tires
Always store your tires indoors, in a clean and air-conditioned environment, far from direct sunlight, ozone and heat sources (hot pipes, electric generators, etc.).
Raise the tires off the ground (try using a platform or a dedicated tire rack) and when necessary, use perforated waterproof covers to prevent moisture.
Lift the weight off the tires. That is, avoid storing a car with weight on the tires for prolonged periods of time.
Store tires on a clean surface. By clean we mean grease, gasoline, solvents and oil free.
Hang up tires with rims, otherwise the weight of the rims will deform the tires. If no rims are involved, store the tires standing up and avoid hanging up or stacking them.