Tips for Storing Winter Tires During Montana Summers
The weather that makes swimming in lava lake, bombing through Copper City, and long hikes in the Bridger foothills so appealing will wreck your winter tires if you're not careful.
Winter tires are designed with softer rubber compounds than summer tires. This make winter tires more easily damaged by heat and UV radiation. So, if you want to use your winter tires for years to come, we recommend storing them immediately after you've swapped them out.
Follow this simple, three-step process to care for your winter tires, and you can't go wrong.
Cleaning Winter Tires
Winter in Montana means chemical de-icing agents, sand, and salt. If left unchecked in the summer heat, these de-icing materials can dehydrate your tires and turn them brittle. Cleaning your wheels also preps your wheels for an easy install next winter.
Get any brake dust, sand, or build-up off of the tires to help your tire beads re-seat correctly when they're mounted on rims during the start of the following winter.
So, before storing your tires, clean them with hot, soapy water. April showers will have started the cleaning process on your tires already—you just have to finish the job.
Prepping Winter Tires for Storage
Now that your winter tires are cleaned, it's time to get them ready for storage.
Place your tires in individual plastic bags. We recommend buying specially made tire bags, but you can always save a buck with leaf/contractor bags. Covering your tires in tire bags will help ensure that your winter tires are protected from UV radiation and prevent the rubber from dehydrating.
Make sure your tires are completely dry before bagging them.
Choosing a Storage Location
The last and most crucial step is finding a cool, dark, and dry place to store your tires. We recommend keeping your tires in your basement. If you don't have a basement, your garage should work fine.
If you don't have a basement or a garage, ensure your tires are stored in a dark location with minimal temperature fluctuations.
Treat Your Winter Tires Right—They Keep You Safe
Every tire needs to be replaced eventually. Still, proper care and preparation help your tires keep you safe for longer.
We always recommend having a professional wheel service technician install your winter tires. If your wheels need replacing, our Eagle Tire Auto Techs will set you up with a new set of tires, keeping you and your passengers safe for years to come.