How to protect tires when storing a car?

[vrg3]

I know when you have to store a car for a long period of time without driving it, you should put it on jackstands to keep the tires from flatspotting.

What if that's not an option? Should you deflate the tires a lot or should you overinflate them a lot? I've heard both and it seems unlikely that both would be correct.

I guess the idea of deflating them would be to increase the contact area (decreasing the pressure between the tire and the ground). And the idea of inflating them would be to decrease the contact area (decreasing the area in contact with the ground).

Anyone have some expert advice? Thanks.

[ciper]

Over inflate.
Sit still flat spotting is because the SIDEWALL got stuck in one position, unlike locking the wheels flat spotting.

[vrg3]

Oh. Interesting. I didn't think that the sidewall would be the part to be damaged but I guess that makes sense. Thanks.

[nubs]

I know when you have to store a car for a long period of time without driving it, you should put it on jackstands to keep the tires from flatspotting.



Anyone have some expert advice? Thanks.

Not sure if this is expert advise but here it is any way.
I have a old Camaro the I restored over ten years ago. I only put about 2 to 3 hundred miles a year on it, so obviously it sits for long periods of time. I used to put it up on jack stands at first,but decided that was stupid.
What if something happened in the garage that would require rapid evacuation of the car. Sorta out of luck if it is up on jack stands

Since then I can't really say I have done anything special except keep up the air pressure and occasionally jacking up the car and rotating the tires to a different spot. The same tires are still on the car for ten years with no permanent damage.
I also do not drive my SVX all winter and do not have any problems with it either.
If you are that worried about it, the best solution would be to get a set of different rims and put crappy tires on them. Problem solved.

[vrg3]

If you are that worried about it, the best solution would be to get a set of different rims and put crappy tires on them. Problem solved. :)

Yeah, I agree with that.

And I see how normal pressure wouldn't be too much of a problem if you could periodically change the portion of the tire in contact with the ground.

I was just curious which way to go with pressure since I'd heard both. I've also heard that it's a lot less of a problem these days with radial tires. The only car I've seen flatspotting happen to is my brother's Supra and I think the tires he had on there were bias-ply.

[ciper]

It depends on the type of tires too, my kuhmos flat spot really easy. Once they warm up it goes away.

[musketeerracing]

Yeah. over-inflate. Change positions sometimes if you can.

I was just curious which way to go with pressure since I'd heard both. I've also heard that it's a lot less of a problem these days with radial tires. The only car I've seen flatspotting happen to is my brother's Supra and I think the tires he had on there were bias-ply.

Soooo, your brother has like a 1974 Supra?



The first radial was the Michelin X on the 1968 Jag XJ6. I think the last bias-plys were fitted by the early 70s.(?)

ACP

[vrg3]

Oh. Shows what I know . His car's an '85.

[evolutionmovement]

There are also rubber patches you drive the car onto that are supposed to absorb the weight of the car and protect the tires. I've seen them in pictures of people's collections.

www.tirecradle.com

Steve

[ciper]

I say just pump them 3-4 pounds over the maximum pressure.

[musketeerracing]

I leave them at 40 or a little more. They lose about a pound a month anyway. Conveniently they're at about 34 when I return...