The car is tucked away for the winter which precipitated an inconclusive discussion in the shop about flat spots developing on the tires. So I wrote to Goodyear telling them about my old Gatorbacks and expected them to respond that I shouldn't be concerned because the tires are toast due to their age. However, they sent the following informative response as to the proper method of storing tires. Since many of you are stuck living in an area with this lousy frigid weather, I thought you may also be interested.
"Thanks for contacting our website.
The best place to store tires is in a clean, dry, sunless area away from
strong air currents. Even though the rubber used to make tires is
formulated to resist effects of sunlight, ozone and water, the life of a
tire can be extended if exposure of these elements is minimized during
storage.
Stack tires flat so that the bottom tire will maintain its shape
Wrap each tire with an opaque polyethylene covering to minimize the
effects of oxygen and ozone. Most Goodyear retailers have storage bags
made specifically for this purpose
If tires are being stored outdoors, they should be raised off the
storage surface
If tires are being stored while mounted on rims, they should be inflated
to 10 psi
If they are put in storage during warm weather, the initial inflation
pressure should be about 15 psi to offset the pressure drop during cold
weather months
How Not To Store Your Tires
Don't store tires in an area that is wet, oily or greasy
Don't store tires where they are subject to direct sunlight or extreme
temperatures
Don't store tires near electric motors or other ozone-generating sources
Don't store tires on black asphalt or other heat-absorbent surfaces
Don't store tires on or adjacent to highly reflective surfaces such as
sand or snow
If tires are mounted on a vehicle—
• Do store the vehicle such that all weight is removed from
the tires.
• If the vehicle cannot be stored with weight removed and
off the storage surface, completely unload it so minimum
weight will rest on the tires. Be sure to maintain the recommended
inflation pressure for all tires, including the
spare. The surface where the vehicle is parked/stored
should be firm, reasonably level, well drained, and clean.
Move the vehicle at least every three months to prevent
ozone cracking/weather checking in the sidewall flex area
and also to prevent a “flat spot” from developing (due to
strain from deflection). If tires do develop a temporary
“flat spot,” it will usually disappear in a short period of
time (for example, after about 25 miles of service).
• For vehicles equipped with high performance tires with a
nylon belt overlay, to prevent “flat spotting” it is recommended
that the vehicle be moved every 30 days and that
the tires be temporarily inflated to the maximum inflation
pressure molded on the tire sidewall. When the vehicle is
returned to service, adjust the inflation pressure to the
recommended inflation pressure printed on the vehicle
tire placard."
"Thanks for contacting our website.
The best place to store tires is in a clean, dry, sunless area away from
strong air currents. Even though the rubber used to make tires is
formulated to resist effects of sunlight, ozone and water, the life of a
tire can be extended if exposure of these elements is minimized during
storage.
Stack tires flat so that the bottom tire will maintain its shape
Wrap each tire with an opaque polyethylene covering to minimize the
effects of oxygen and ozone. Most Goodyear retailers have storage bags
made specifically for this purpose
If tires are being stored outdoors, they should be raised off the
storage surface
If tires are being stored while mounted on rims, they should be inflated
to 10 psi
If they are put in storage during warm weather, the initial inflation
pressure should be about 15 psi to offset the pressure drop during cold
weather months
How Not To Store Your Tires
Don't store tires in an area that is wet, oily or greasy
Don't store tires where they are subject to direct sunlight or extreme
temperatures
Don't store tires near electric motors or other ozone-generating sources
Don't store tires on black asphalt or other heat-absorbent surfaces
Don't store tires on or adjacent to highly reflective surfaces such as
sand or snow
If tires are mounted on a vehicle—
• Do store the vehicle such that all weight is removed from
the tires.
• If the vehicle cannot be stored with weight removed and
off the storage surface, completely unload it so minimum
weight will rest on the tires. Be sure to maintain the recommended
inflation pressure for all tires, including the
spare. The surface where the vehicle is parked/stored
should be firm, reasonably level, well drained, and clean.
Move the vehicle at least every three months to prevent
ozone cracking/weather checking in the sidewall flex area
and also to prevent a “flat spot” from developing (due to
strain from deflection). If tires do develop a temporary
“flat spot,” it will usually disappear in a short period of
time (for example, after about 25 miles of service).
• For vehicles equipped with high performance tires with a
nylon belt overlay, to prevent “flat spotting” it is recommended
that the vehicle be moved every 30 days and that
the tires be temporarily inflated to the maximum inflation
pressure molded on the tire sidewall. When the vehicle is
returned to service, adjust the inflation pressure to the
recommended inflation pressure printed on the vehicle
tire placard."
