tire preservation

[Ray G.]

Hello;
AZ is now our primary residence which makes me much more aware of the effects of sun, ozone, and heat on equipment and especially tires.

Have read many articles about preserving tires and understand the elementary aspects.

Wondering if we have the wisdom of engineers here to explain whether using current chemical dressings is wise. And are current tire rubber compounds different than 20 years ago.

Thank you for your thoughts.
Ray

[Duke W.]

Re: tire preservation

I'm not sure if typical tire dressings add life, but I don't think they do any harm.

The most important thing is to minimize UV and ozone exposure and keep them as cool as possible, which it tough in Arizona summers unless you have underground parking or an air conditioned garage. Also, air pressure should be checked regularly, even during storage, and I suggest a minimum of 32 psi cold for any Corvette tire - anything from a repro bias ply to a Z-rated radial.

The most important thing it to buy high speed rated tires that are built with better design, materials, and construction techniques.

An H-rated or above tire will outlast, timewise, a lesser speed rated tire two to one or more, and if it does fail internally due to age related loss of structural integrity, the nylon cap belt will almost always keep the tire from disintegrating as was the case with all those Ford Explorers a decade ago.

Duke

[Ray G.]

Re: tire preservation

Thank you Duke;
Your experience and thoughts are always appreciated.
Ray

[Ron G.]

Re: tire preservation

On one of my cars I am a little anal about and store 5 NOS Goodyears in a closet in my office. They are over forty years old with zero miles on them. When I do display the car I have tire mitts so the purtruding nubs will remain. I also deflate all the air and store them in plastic bags in the verticle position. I do not believe in using dressings as the factory never did and I don't know enough about them if they will do harm over a long period of time. II hear different opinions regarding storing them fully inflated or completley deflated such as I perfer. Any cuggestions would be welcome.

[Michael J.]

Re: tire preservation

In New Mexico, we are very careful to keep the tires out of the sun as much as possible. No ozone issues here, but the dry weather also brings issues as they age.