Long-term parking effects on tires
A friend advised me that I shouldn't leave my new TT parked for long periods right on the ground. He recommended pieces of plywood cut to insulate the tires from the ground. His understanding is tha...
Forum Discussion
The biggest long term parking effect on tires is the lack of tread wear convinces people they can run the tires longer than is safe.
I've even met folks who brag about their tires being seven years old and not showing wear. "Good for another seven years"
Parking on something other than concrete, asphalt, grass, gravel or ground helps keep the tires in better condition. Using UV protection - be it covers or chemicals helps. Making sure the tires are inflated properly when traveling helps even more. Making sure the axles and brakes are in good working order helps.
Making sure to not run the tires over their speed rating regularly or over they load rating really helps.
But no matter what you do - tires need to be replaced no more than six years after their manufacture date. That ends up being five years of use for most tires.
Be careful when you buy new tires - they could already be over a year or 18 months old. Check the manufacture date, and if they are over six months old - don't take them. The shop will try to put on the oldest tires in their inventory.
I actually had a shop tell me "Wait a minute - he pulled out the wrong set" when I went to check the mfg date on a new set of tires for my truck. The ones they brought out next were five months old.
I've even met folks who brag about their tires being seven years old and not showing wear. "Good for another seven years"
Parking on something other than concrete, asphalt, grass, gravel or ground helps keep the tires in better condition. Using UV protection - be it covers or chemicals helps. Making sure the tires are inflated properly when traveling helps even more. Making sure the axles and brakes are in good working order helps.
Making sure to not run the tires over their speed rating regularly or over they load rating really helps.
But no matter what you do - tires need to be replaced no more than six years after their manufacture date. That ends up being five years of use for most tires.
Be careful when you buy new tires - they could already be over a year or 18 months old. Check the manufacture date, and if they are over six months old - don't take them. The shop will try to put on the oldest tires in their inventory.
I actually had a shop tell me "Wait a minute - he pulled out the wrong set" when I went to check the mfg date on a new set of tires for my truck. The ones they brought out next were five months old.
