How Many Years Can New Tires Be Stored Without Use?
2 Answers
New tires can be stored unused for between 3 to 5 years. Tires are circular elastic rubber products mounted on various vehicles or machinery to roll on the ground. The functions of tires include: 1. Protecting automotive components from severe vibrations and premature damage, adapting to the high-speed performance of vehicles and reducing driving noise; 2. Working together with the vehicle suspension to mitigate impacts during driving and dampen vibrations; 3. Transmitting traction and braking torque, ensuring good adhesion between the wheels and the road surface to enhance the vehicle's power, braking, and off-road capabilities; 4. Supporting the full weight of the vehicle, bearing the load of the car, and transmitting forces and moments in other directions.
I bought several sets of new tires as backups and stored them in my home garage for over five years. When I took them out, the rubber had hardened like stone and they were completely unusable. Experienced friends told me that even unused tires deteriorate over time and generally shouldn’t be stored for more than six years, as the rubber becomes brittle with age. Storage conditions are crucial—they should be kept in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight or moisture, otherwise they degrade even faster. After learning my lesson the hard way, I now either install new tires immediately or regularly check their production dates to avoid expiration. Safety is the top priority—aged tires are prone to blowouts on highways, which is too risky. I’d rather spend more on new tires than take that chance. Storing them for too long is just a waste; if you don’t have the space, it’s better to buy fewer.
