Renting tyre storage

Tyre storage means temporarily keeping your winter or summer tyres in a safe place, such as a garage, cellar, or warehouse. Proper storage protects your car’s safety, extends tyre lifespan, maintains performance, and helps avoid unnecessary costs. Tyres stored incorrectly can deform, crack, or lose grip, often only becoming noticeable when you need them again.

This guide covers everything you need to know: preparation, storage methods, duration, reading the DOT-mark, costs, common mistakes, and the best places for storing tyres.

What should you do before storage

Good preparation is the foundation of safe tyre storage. It prevents deformation or damage during months of inactivity. Follow this pre-storage checklist.

Check the condition and tread depth

Before storing, inspect each tyre:

• Cracks, cuts, or bulges in the rubber
• Flat spots or uneven wear
• Stones or debris embedded in the tread
• Rust spots or deformations on the rim

Pay special attention for EV tyres and runflat tyres: these are more prone to deformation. By checking tread depth, the overall condition, and the DOT-mark ensures you store only tyres in good quality.

Clean tyres and wheels properly

Dirt may seem harmless at first, but if it stays on your tyres for a long period, it can significantly affect their quality.

Follow these steps to clean your tyres properly:

• Rinse dirt and brake dust off with water
• Use a mild shampoo, not aggressive wheel cleaners
• Avoid pressure washers from close up, as they can damage the rubber
• Inspect the rims and remove rust or debris

Tip: clean tyres and wheels store better in a garage, cellar, or warehouse without moisture or chemicals.

Increase air pressure before storage

To prevent deformation, increase the tyre air pressure by 0.2 – 0.3 bar above normal. Be careful never to exceed the maximum pressure indicated on the sidewall.

Store tyres preferably in a cool room. This keeps the pressure stable and extends the tyres’ lifespan. Correct pressure ensures safe future use without quality loss.

How do you store tyres without rims

Tyres without rims should always be stored upright, on the tread. Laying them flat or stacking them can cause sidewall deformation.

It is also recommended to use a tyre storage rack, which further reduces pressure and the risk of damage.

Tyres are best stored in a dark, dry space. Options include a garage, cellar or warehouse, but the best method depends on how many tyres you store and for how long. Outdoor storage is not recommended due to sunlight, moisture, and temperature fluctuations.

Why do you store bare tyres standing upright

Upright storage keeps the tyre shape intact. Sidewalls are better supported, preventing sagging. This is especially important for longer storage periods, during which flat spots can develop quickly. Lying them flat may seem practical but often causes permanent deformation in the rubber.

Therefore:

• Upright: preserves roundness and reduces pressure on the sidewall
• Lying flat: risk of flat spots and shape loss

Also, bare tyres should never be hung. Hooks press the bead in and deform the inside of the tyre. This is only sometimes done during short transport, but not for seasonal storage.

Small checklist for storage:

• Place tyres in a rack or against a flat wall
• Leave space between tyres so they won’t get stuck together
• Check every few weeks that they remain upright

This preserves quality and prevents unnecessary wear.

How often do you rotate the tyres during storage

When bare tyres stand still for months, their full weight rests in the same spot. By rotating them regularly, pressure is distributed evenly. This prevents flat spots and keeps the rubber supple.

A practical approach:

1. Plan a check every four to six weeks
2. Rotate each tyre a quarter turn
3. Inspect immediately for moisture, dust, or deformation
4. Record the date for a clear overview

A small reminder helps: a smartphone notification, a sticker on the tyre, or a card with the stored set.

How do you store complete wheels

Complete wheels (tyre + rim) are less vulnerable because the rim provides strength. You can safely store them either by stacking horizontally or hanging on suitable mounts. Both methods are fine as long as the surface is flat and the space is clean and dry. A garage, cellar, or warehouse works well, taking temperature and stability into account.

Extra tips for full sets:

• Mark which wheel was on which position on the car
• Remove wheel nuts to prevent pressure points
• Let wheels dry completely after cleaning

This keeps your wheels well protected and ready for the next seasonal change.

How do you stack or hang complete wheels correctly

Beneath you find an overview of what to watch out for when choosing one of these two storage methods:

Storage Method	Important Points	Suitable For
Stacking	Clean, dry wheels	Small spaces
	Soft layers (cardboard or cloth) between rims	Set of four wheels
	Stable tower of max four wheels
Hanging	Sturdy hanging system	Saving space for additional storage
	Avoid thin or sharp hooks	Larger wheels
	Check wall load capacity

How do you avoid deformation and scratches

Protection is key when storing complete wheels. Scratches and deformation occur quickly if rims rest against each other or hard surfaces. Use soft materials to avoid pressure points, such as:

• Foam sheets
• Cardboard
• Old towels
• Rubber mats

Also, remove wheel bolts from rims and ensure wheel caps do not press on the surface of the tyre.

How long can you store tyres

Seasonal storage duration differs from the overall lifespan of a tyre. Tyres age not only because of tread wear; unused tyres also age due to heat, light, and air.

Check the DOT-mark and visible wear before reusing the tyres. Making a yearly calendar note is useful to decide whether tyres are still safe or need replacement. This keeps quality and safety in check.

How do you read the DOT marking

The DOT-mark indicates when the tyre was manufactured.

For example: 2319 stands for week 23 of 2019, and 5024 stands for week 50 of 2024.

Sometimes the code is only on one side of the tyre.

DOT and ECE sometimes get mixed up. DOT shows the production date, while ECE is a certification indicating that the tyre meets European safety standards. The DOT is often checked to assess the tyre’s price, value, and quality, for example for insurance purposes or resale.

What does tyre storage cost

The cost of tyre storage varies by provider and by city. Many providers charge a fixed fee per season, supplemented with extra costs such as mounting, washing, or insurance. Those looking for cheap tyre storage usually choose a basic solution.

What you usually pay for:

• Storage per season
• Washing or rinsing the tyres
• Mounting during tyre changes
• Insurance against damage or loss
• Pickup and return of the tyres

In larger cities, prices are often higher due to demand and limited space. With many providers, you only pay for storage, but with full-service solutions, transport is also often included. This provides more clarity about what you pay and when.

Which mistakes ruin tyres during storage

Tyres are not only damaged while driving. They can also lose quality during storage, especially if they are kept in the wrong place or in the wrong position. Heat, UV light, moisture, and certain chemicals directly affect the rubber.

Common mistakes include:

• Outdoor storage in direct sunlight
• Storing in a container that gets very hot
• Lying bare tyres flat
• Storage in overly humid spaces
• Storage near paint, solvents, or chemicals
• Storage near items or food that attract pests
• Putting tyres away wet or without cleaning them

Pay special attention to UV light, as it causes micro-damage that is sometimes invisible but still leads to quality loss.

By avoiding these risks, you prevent drying, cracking, deformation, or uneven wear, and your tyres remain usable for longer.

What is the best place to store your tyres

The place where you store your tyres largely determines how well they remain during the months you don’t use them. You can choose between full-service storage and self-storage. Full-service is suitable if you want convenience and certainty, while self-storage is suitable for those who have enough space and can control the conditions themselves.

Full-service providers handle almost everything. They pick up your tyres, store them in one of their climate-controlled storage locations, and return them whenever you want. Tyres are often insured against damage. BOXIE24 offers this service in major cities such as Amsterdam, including online booking and door-to-door transport. This way, you don’t have to carry the tyres yourself and the risk of transport damage is reduced.

Self-storage works well if you have a dry, stable space where temperature and humidity do not fluctuate too much. Think of a garage, storage room, or a well-ventilated cellar. Outdoor storage or keeping tyres in a container is less suitable, as tyres are exposed to heat, UV light, and moisture.

If you are not yet sure which storage solution suits you best, here is an overview:

Storage location	Suitable for tyres	Why or why not
Garage	Usually	Dry, stable, and easily accessible
Cellar	Sometimes	Only suitable if not too humid
Warehouse (professional)	Yes	Climate-controlled and secure, ideal for quality
Container	No	Can become too hot and humid
Outdoors	No	High risk of damage from sun, rain, and temperature fluctuations
Full-service storage	Yes	Insured, climate-controlled, no transport stress