Leaving performance summer tires outside?
 

Hey, so the weather in my area hasn't been consistent....
And this whole week is going to be 20s-30s (Fahrenheit) I only drove my car once to work I think it was high 20s to 30s, my Accord was down :(

Anyways I'm wondering if there's any issues with "storing" tires outside in the cold weather, I have the tires on BRZ it just sits outside in my driveway while I DD the Accord, I have no space in my garage to put it in there. I read on Tirerack https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...-S3+(Version+2)

"the Ventus R-S3 Version 2, like all Extreme Performance Summer tires, is not intended to be serviced, stored or driven in near- and below-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice."

At this point, you're probably just a few weeks to warmer weather. I don't think I'd worry about it. I grew up in TN and while it gets colder in the winter, it's not the kind of cold that they see in the north.


-Craig

While its on the car air up and such its not as bad as if they were sitting on the side of the house or in the back yard with no air in it. Its just not ideal but if you have no choice, you have no choice.

The reason Tirerack suggests storing summer tires inside is because below a certain temp summer tires get super hard, like hockey pucks. So when you have this up and down of really cold to some what warm temperatures it contracts then softens and this cycle really plays havoc on summer tire compounds, coupled with dry air and direct sun light its not that good. This contracting and softing creates small cracks and breaks down the rubber. Another bad thing about your car sitting there is the weight is on one spot of the tire creating a flat spot in the tread.

One way to get around all this, if you cant put the tires in the storage/garage, is to drive the car once in a while. On a nice day, clear no snow roads, and it about 40ish or even a little below that just as long as its dry go for a drive. No crazy driving just a nice cruise to get the tires warmed a bit flex the rubber. You will be ok.

I'd buy some storage cover, if one keeps them in direct sunlight / rain / snow. With some search imho they shouldn't be too hard to find or too expensive. For example something like this.
In addition to this i also bought carrying tire totes, but those are more to simplify carrying them by handles and to less dirty car interior, not so much for protection from ambient imho.

How about storing them inside the car since you don't drive it?

Sun is the real killer. I think you can get cheap covers from Harbor Freight intended for trailer tires. Sitting in one spot, creating flat spots, is also not helpful.

@Alltezza
Generally performance tires in the 200tw range should be allowed to return to ambient temps for about a day at more than 40-45*F, after sitting in weather well below freezing (like under 20ish*F). I'll see if I can get a link from a manufacturer for you. If you don't do this the tire won't be totally ruined usually, but it will be detrimental to the tires peak performance.
EDIT: tirerack link
"Extreme Performance Summer tires exposed to temperatures of 20 degrees F (-7 degrees C) or lower must be permitted to gradually return to temperatures of at least 40 degrees F (5 degrees C) for at least 24 hours before they are flexed in any manner, such as by adjusting inflation pressures, mounting them on wheels, or using them to support, roll or drive a vehicle." -Falken Tire

Indeed, best would be proper tire storage and inside building.
But if one considers storing tires outside at all, very probably possibilities/alternatives/budget is limited. Thus imho such tire cover is reasonable protection minimum that is reasonably priced. Step above - something like this or this , so that tires/wheels on top doesn't sit with all stack weight on lower tire, +cover of course for ambient protection. I just have them stacked under cover on balcony, and carry them in tire totes to/from car, when seasonal tire change is due.
P.S.
If covers are considered, better have them of light color, not dark/black, for more sun to be reflected/less heating up.

Yeah plus OP's temps this week aren't dipping below 20*F so that's good too

I believe the wheels and tires are still on the car. Like as in he drove it till winter hit, parked it, and left it.

Maine resident here, it can get really cold. I take my summers off and store them in a shed. Its dark inside, but at the mercy of the outside temps. I mount them in the summer without issue.

Alright thanks guys!

I also don't have any room in my garage to store it inside....temps are finally starting to warm up and I hope it stays that way.