Many of us own multiple sets of tires for our Porsches. Whether they are street tires and track tires, or summer tires and winter tires, it’s a virtual guarantee that while one set is on your Porche the other is in storage. To prolong the life and preserve the performance of your tires, proper storage is key. For each set of tires, a number of factors are important to remember.
Key Things To Remember For Proper Porsche Tire Storage:
- Tires should always be stored in a cool, clean, indoor environment.
- The ideal environment should be dark, to protect the tires from UV damage. If the storage room is brightly lit with natural light, the tires should be covered. Michelin and others make special bags designed specifically for storage.
- Ensure that the storage surface is free of grease or solvents which could degrade the rubber.
- Prior to storage, clean and dry your tires to ensure they are not stored with contaminants. Also, remove debris from the tread grooves.
- If the tires are on a Porsche which is not being used for an extended period, the weight of the vehicle should be taken off the tires to prevent damage. Inflating to max PSI or using a tire cradle are also effective for winter storage.
If tires are being stored off the vehicle, there are other factors to consider. If the tires are being stored still mounted to the rim, they should not be stored vertically(IE oriented as they would be on the vehicle). The weight of the wheel can distort the sidewall and tread, causing damage. This is exacerbated if the tire leaks down over time. To safely store a mounted tire, the wheels can be stacked vertically, as seen at the right of the image above. Tires can also be hung, either by passing a loop through the wheel, or by using a post through the center of the hub. The latter tends to be my preferred method. Storing wheels and tires this way forces me to remove and clean the centercap, and beneath the center cap when removed.
If the tires are being stored without wheels, different rules apply. Stacking the tires can cause distortion along the tread, which can reduce performance. Hanging the tires causes similar issues. If tires are stored long-term without wheels, the most effective storage method is to simply stand them upright. Additional information can be found in Michelin’s guide to proper tire storage.
This is the first in a series of posts brought to you by our partner, Michelin.
