Key takeaways
- Store tyres somewhere cool, dark, dry and well ventilated, away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
- Keep tyres away from oil, petrol, solvents and electric motors, which release ozone that cracks rubber.
- Store tyres without wheels standing upright and rotate them occasionally; tyres on wheels are best stacked flat or hung.
- Even well-stored tyres age, so check the DOT date code and inspect for cracks before refitting.
If you swap to winter tyres, keep a spare set of alloys, or have a barely used spare in the garage, how you store those tyres decides how long they last. Rubber is a perishable material: heat, sunlight, oil and ozone all degrade it, so a tyre can perish on a shelf even if it is never driven. Storing them properly is simple and free, and it protects an expensive set from premature cracking.
Where is the best place to store tyres?
The ideal place is cool, dry, dark and well ventilated, with a stable temperature and no direct sunlight. A clean, ventilated garage or a cool indoor room is far better than a hot shed, a sunny conservatory or an exposed outdoor spot. Avoid damp, because moisture promotes corrosion on any wheels and can affect the tyre over time.
Heat and ultraviolet light from the sun are the biggest enemies, as they break down the rubber compound and the anti-ageing waxes within it. If you must store tyres outside, raise them off the ground, cover them with an opaque waterproof bag that still allows some airflow, and shield them from sun and rain.
What should tyres be kept away from?
Keep tyres well away from oils, greases, petrol, white spirit and other solvents, which soften and degrade rubber on contact. Just as important, keep them away from running electric motors and battery chargers, because these can generate ozone, a gas that attacks rubber and causes fine surface cracking known as ozone cracking.
- Solvents and fuels — store tyres away from the workbench chemicals and fuel cans.
- Electric motors — generators, compressors, fridges and chargers produce ozone.
- Heat sources — boilers, radiators and direct sunlight all accelerate ageing.
- Sharp or dirty surfaces — clean tyres first and avoid resting them on grit or stone.
Should tyres be stacked, stood up or hung?
It depends on whether the tyres are on wheels. Tyres without wheels (loose tyres) are best stored standing upright, side by side, and turned a little every few weeks to avoid a flat spot. Tyres mounted on wheels are best stacked flat in a short pile, or hung on sturdy wall hooks, because standing them on the rim edge can deform the tyre.
| Tyre condition | Best storage method | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Loose tyre (no wheel) | Stand upright, rotate occasionally | Stacking under heavy weight long-term |
| Tyre on a wheel | Stack flat (max ~4) or hang on hooks | Standing on the rim for months |
| Any tyre | Off the floor, cool and dark | Sunlight, damp and oil |
Whichever method you use, keep correct pressure in tyres left on wheels and do not pile a tall, heavy stack, which can distort the lower tyres.
How should you label and organise stored tyres?
Before you put a set away, mark each tyre with its position so you can refit it correctly and keep wear even. A simple chalk or crayon code such as front-left, front-right, rear-left and rear-right works well, and noting the date you removed them helps you track their age and plan the next rotation.
Labelling matters because tyres wear at different rates depending on their position. Front tyres on most cars wear faster, so keeping a record lets you rotate sensibly when they go back on, spreading wear across the set and extending its life. If you run two sets of wheels for seasonal swaps, store each set together in clearly marked bags so there is no confusion in six months.
- Mark the position — FL, FR, RL, RR in chalk or a tyre crayon.
- Note the date removed — helps you track age and plan rotation.
- Bag each set together — keep summer and winter sets clearly separate.
- Record the tread depth — so you know what you are putting back on.
How long can you store tyres before they go off?
Well-stored, unused tyres can last several years, but rubber still ages, so do not assume an old spare is fine. Most manufacturers and safety bodies suggest having tyres inspected once they are around five years old and replacing them by around ten years from manufacture, regardless of tread, because the compound hardens and cracks with age.
You can read the age from the four-digit DOT date code on the sidewall: the first two digits are the week and the last two the year of manufacture. Our guides on when a tyre is too old and how long tyres last explain this in detail. Before refitting any stored tyre, inspect it for cracks, bulges and perished rubber.
Storing seasonal and spare tyres the easy way
Seasonal swaps are far less hassle if your off-season set is stored properly between uses. Fast Tyre offers a seasonal tyre swap service across London and central England, changing between summer and winter tyres at your home or workplace. If you are unsure whether a stored or spare tyre is still safe to fit, see the signs your tyres need replacing before putting it back on the road.
Frequently asked questions
For loose tyres without wheels it makes no difference. For tyres left on wheels, keep them at their normal pressure or slightly reduced, and check before refitting. Storing them completely flat on a wheel for months can deform the bead and sidewall.
It is not ideal, but if you must, raise them off the ground, keep them out of direct sunlight and rain, and use an opaque cover that still allows some airflow. Sunlight, heat and damp will all shorten their life if left fully exposed.
Yes. Rubber ages whether driven or not. Heat, sunlight, oil and ozone all degrade the compound over time, causing it to harden and crack. That is why an old, unused spare can be unsafe even though it has full tread.
Tyres mounted on wheels can be stacked flat in a short pile of around four. Loose tyres without wheels are better stood upright, as long-term stacking under weight can distort them. Avoid tall, heavy stacks in either case.
Yes. Wash off grit, brake dust and any oil with water and mild detergent, then let them dry fully before storage. Skip tyre dressings and silicone sprays for long-term storage, as some products can interfere with the rubber over time.