There’s a right way to prepare classic car tyres for long term car storage. Read our expert tips to avoid common problems to ensure your tyres remain in first-class condition while being stored.

Many seasoned owners are confident with the daily processes needed to maintain the upkeep of a high-value vehicle. But if you’ve never looked into the prospect of long-term car storage, there are a few tricks of the trade that will make the process run more smoothly. Undoubtedly, one of the easiest and most effective ways to prepare a vehicle for long term car storage is to devote attention to the tyres.

Fortunately there’s no need to remove the tyres, but when a car is set to remain largely stationary for long periods – albeit with a leg-stretch every 60 days on Windrush’s internal rolling road if you store with us – an owner needs to take a slightly different approach than with day-to-day motoring. Whether you’re booking long-term car storage, or resting your car at home, here’s our expert tyre advice.   

#1. Avoid ‘Flat Spotting’

Leaving a car stationary for anything longer than a couple of weeks risks the development of flat spots at the tread contact patch.

There are three principal ways to avoid flat spots. Placing the car on axle stands will relieve the bearings and tyres of their load, eliminating the problem – but it’s a time-consuming and potentially dangerous solution that can damage suspension components if they’re left in an unnatural hanging state for too long. Alternatively, driving your car onto solid rubber tyre shoes will certainly hold your wheels in shape and prevent flat spotting, offering a good alternative.

In our experience, the most effective tactic is to increase your classic car tyre pressures by 50% (to minimise the flatting effect) and to roll the vehicle backwards and forwards slightly at bi-weekly intervals, to vary the contact points for tyres and bearings. When an owner checks in for long term car storage at Windrush, that’s exactly what we do for all classic car tyres. Keeping your vehicle PSI-optimised, mobile and in a natural state allows us to easily exercise the vehicle in a fully maintained condition – meaning it is always ready for departure whenever the mood takes you.

#2. Prevent sidewall damage

It’s always worth keeping an eye on tyre sidewalls: if perishing and cracks are allowed to develop it increases the risk of a hazardous blowout, especially when cornering. When a vehicle goes into long term car storage for a month or more, an owner needs to pay even closer attention to stop the rubber turning dry and brittle, which could make the vehicle dangerous to drive. Fortunately, there are preventative steps to keep your classic car tyres healthy, even during long term car storage.

When it comes to car tyre advice, Windrush always stresses the importance of keeping tyres out of direct sunlight whenever possible. Just as with sunburn, UV rays attack the rubber, so a good car cover should not only extend over the vehicle’s body, but also protect the majority of the side of the wheel and tyre. When using Windrush’s long term car storage, your vehicle will be treated to its own dehumidified, climate-controlled indoor storage bay – keeping your classic car tyres safe from the elements, maintaining tyre health.

Finally, many choose to apply a rubber ‘feed’ to the sidewalls. This not only improves the look of the tyres but also protects the rubber, almost like applying moisturiser to your hands. But be careful: getting this on the tyre tread isn’t good for the vehicle’s road handling.

#3. Choose Windrush long term car storage

Following our car tyre advice will give you a fighting chance when resting your car at home. To truly safeguard your pride and joy, nothing beats Windrush long term car storage. With facilities in both Central London and the Cotswolds, we offer a unique top-to-bottom classic car storage solution. Following our unique twelve-step induction process – which includes close attention to your classic car tyres – your vehicle will enjoy its own personal storage bay, complete with 24/7 security, twice-daily checks, weekly battery and drip tray inspections, plus an expert maintenance checkover every 60 days. With Windrush, you’re in safe hands.

For more information on our long term car storage, get in touch today.