We are overjoyed that spring is officially here in Ontario! That means it’s time to switch out your winter tires and we’ve shared a helpful guide for you to follow.
Surprisingly, driving your winter tires during non-winter months is actually very damaging to your tires and will most likely make them less effective when winter comes around again! Our step-by-step guide will help you ensure you’re storing your winter tires correctly.
A Straightforward Guide to Storing Winter Tires
#1 Inspect Your Winter Tires
The first step to storing your winter tires properly is inspecting each tire. You may be wondering, “what should I be looking for?!” You need to look for any possible issues; for example, cracks, deterioration, and other wear damage. Also, make sure you check that the tread is in good shape.
#2 Clean Your Winter Tires
Cleaning your winter tires before you store them will ensure that they are ready to go next winter. You can easily clean your winter tires by scrubbing all the dirt and dust off with a tire brush and some soap and water – remove all sentiments of our Ontario winter weather!
#3 Bag Your Winter Tires
This step isn’t required but it is highly recommended to keep your winter tires in pristine shape while in storage. Bagging them helps reduce moisture and keeping them dry typically ensures they last longer. You can remove as much air as possible from these bags and seal them with tape!
#4 Where to Store Your Winter Tires
Finally, the last step is to find a good location to store your winter tires. Ideally, you want a location that is clean, dry, and cool. Indoors is best as you don’t want the tires to be stored in direct sunlight since the UV rays can damage the rubber - a garage or basement are great options. The best way to store your winter tires is to stack them on top of one another. This will help keep the tread in good shape. You also want to make sure that you are not placing anything on top of the winter tires while they are stored.
If you follow these easy steps, you’ll thank yourself in a few months when you take them out of storage. In Ontario, winter is inevitable, since you have invested in winter tires, it is important you protect your investment. Read this, if you’re wondering how you can get your car ready for summer!
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