Storing Winter Tires: Common Questions Answered

Storing Winter Tires: Common Questions Answered

Every spring, millions of drivers swap out their snow tires and face the same problem: where do these things go? Tires are big, heavy, and not easy to store. If you store them the wrong way, they can crack, lose shape, or wear out faster.

This post answers the most common questions people have about how to store snow tires and what your options are.

How Do You Store Winter Tires at Home?

If you want to store winter tires at home, the most important thing is to keep them away from heat, sunlight, and moisture.

Here are some simple steps to follow:

  • Clean them first. Wash off any dirt, salt, or brake dust before storing. Leftover grime can break down the rubber over time.
  • Keep them in a cool, dry place. A basement is often better than a garage. Garages can get very hot in summer, and that heat damages tires. Stay away from windows where sunlight can get in.
  • Keep them away from motors and electrical equipment. Things like furnaces, water heaters, and electric motors give off ozone gas. Ozone is invisible, but it causes rubber to crack and age faster.
  • Put them in bags. Large plastic bags, like lawn bags, help keep moisture and ozone out. Squeeze the air out before sealing.
  • Store them flat or on a rack. 

Where to Store Winter Tires If You Don't Have Space?

Not everyone has a basement or a big garage. If you live in a condo, apartment, or a house with a small storage area, you might not have a good spot.

Common options include:

  • A storage locker in your building (if you have one)

  • A rented storage unit

  • A professional tire storage service

Many drivers in Mississauga and the Greater Toronto Area use a professional service. Johnston and Magwood Tires & Auto has been helping drivers store their seasonal tires since 1945. They offer a secure, climate-controlled facility that keeps your tires safe from temperature swings, moisture, and UV damage — all the things that can shorten a tire's life.

This is especially helpful for condo residents and apartment dwellers who don't have lockers or garage space.

Can You Stack Tires for Storage?

Yes, you can  but it depends on whether your tires are mounted on rims or not.

Tires without rims (tires only): Stack them flat on top of each other, like a pile of pancakes. This is the safest way. Standing them upright for a long time without rims can cause them to lose their shape.

Tires mounted on rims: Do NOT stack them flat. Instead, stand them upright and lean them against a wall, or hang them using a tire rack. When tires are mounted on rims and stored flat in a stack, the weight of the pile can put pressure on the bottom tires and warp the rims over time.

Try not to stack more than four tires on top of each other, even if they are unmounted. A big pile can be unstable and can also squish the bottom tires.

Must Read: All Season Vs All Weather Vs Winter Tires - Complete Guide

How Much Does Tire Storage Cost?

The cost of storing tires with a shop or storage facility depends on where you live and what is included.

In the Greater Toronto Area, professional tire storage typically costs between $50 and $150 per season depending on the shop and whether the service includes tire swaps when you pick them up.

Some shops charge a flat seasonal fee. Others include mounting and balancing in the price when you come in to swap tires. It is worth asking what is included before you book.

When you think about how much a good set of winter tires costs, often $600 to $1,200 or more  paying for proper storage makes sense. Bad storage can shorten the life of your tires by several years. That means you end up buying new tires sooner than you should have to.

At Johnston and Magwood, their tire storage service is built to be affordable and convenient. When it's time to swap back to your summer tires, they have your winter set ready to go. No heavy lifting, no dirty tires in your car.

Can You Store Tires in a Storage Unit?

You can, but it's not always the best choice.

A regular storage unit that is not climate-controlled can get very hot in summer and very cold in winter. Those temperature swings are hard on rubber. Tires stored in poor conditions can develop cracks, flat spots, or stiff spots.

If you go this route, here are some tips to make it work better:

  • Choose an indoor, climate-controlled unit if possible

  • Keep the tires off the floor using a pallet or rack

  • Store them in bags to protect from dust and ozone

  • Do not store them near any gas cans or chemicals

A climate-controlled professional tire storage service, like the one offered by Johnston and Magwood, is a better option for most people. The environment is designed specifically to protect rubber, and you don't have to worry about moving the tires yourself.

What Happens If You Store Tires the Wrong Way?

A lot of people don't think much about tire storage until something goes wrong. Here is what can happen when tires are stored poorly:

Cracking: Rubber dries out when exposed to heat, UV light, or ozone. Cracks on the sidewall can make a tire unsafe to drive on.

Flat spots: If a tire sits in one position for too long especially if it's still holding the weight of a vehicle, it can develop a flat spot. You may notice vibration when you first drive on them.

Dry rot: This is what happens when the oils inside the rubber dry up. The tire looks old and faded and may have small cracks all over the surface. Dry-rotted tires are dangerous.

Deformed shape: Stacking tires the wrong way or putting heavy items on top of them can cause them to change shape over time.

All of these problems can be avoided with proper storage.

What is the Easiest Way to Store Your Winter Tires?

If you want the easiest, no-hassle option, a professional tire storage service is the way to go.

You drop off your tires when the season changes. The shop stores them in a safe, climate-controlled space. When you need them again, you call ahead, and they have everything ready. Some companies, including Johnston and Magwood, will mount and balance your tires during the switchover, so you drive in with one set and drive out with another.

This saves you from storing tires in your condo locker, hauling them to a storage unit, or cramming them into a closet.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to store snow tires properly can add years to their life and save you money in the long run. Whether you store them at home or use a professional service, the key things to remember are: keep them cool, keep them dry, keep them out of the sun, and store them the right way depending on whether they are on rims or not.