Does long-term parking affect car tires?
2 Answers
Long-term parking does affect car tires. Prolonged stationary parking can cause localized pressure on tires, potentially rendering them unusable over time. The best practice to avoid this is to periodically adjust tire positions during parking to distribute continuous pressure on specific areas. Here are some additional tips: 1. Regular ignition: During parking, you don't need to move the car, but it's advisable to start the vehicle every few days and let it idle for about ten minutes. This allows the engine to be fully lubricated by oil and also charges the battery slightly, preventing excessive discharge. 2. Rubber maintenance: Automotive rubber components like tires and door/window seals are susceptible to premature aging due to sunlight and humidity changes, leading to performance degradation and shortened lifespan. 3. Proper repositioning: For vehicles parked long-term, it's best to drive them periodically for some distance. Even just slow movement within the parking lot for ten minutes can recharge the battery, properly warm up and lubricate the engine and transmission, and prevent localized deformation of tires caused by extended parking.
As a veteran driver with over 20 years of experience, I've noticed that prolonged vehicle inactivity indeed has several negative effects on tires, mainly in three aspects: First, tires are prone to deformation and becoming out-of-round. Being parked in the same position for extended periods causes weight to concentrate on one spot, leading to flat spots that make the car feel bumpy when driven. Second, rubber deteriorates much faster, especially when parked outdoors. Sun exposure can cause hardening, cracking, or even bulging, significantly reducing tire strength. Third, there's substantial air pressure loss – noticeable drops can occur within about a month, and uneven pressure accelerates wear. I remember during last year's pandemic when my car sat for four months, the tires had deformed upon inspection, making replacement costly. Now, for long parking periods, I regularly inflate tires to recommended pressure, ideally moving the car monthly to change position or using supports. Never neglect tire maintenance – safe driving comes first.
