Winter Storage options

[347Stang]

Good day all,

Hope everyone is doing well.

My question is for those with the MagneRide suspension.

My older 79 mustang when stored in the garage is on axle stands with the suspension hanging. I avoid flat spotting my tires this way!

Is this option Ok for my 24?

Cheers

Sponsored

 

[REV745DH24]

Good day all,

Hope everyone is doing well.

My question is for those with the MagneRide suspension.

My older 79 mustang when stored in the garage is on axle stands with the suspension hanging. I avoid flat spotting my tires this way!

Is this option Ok for my 24?

Cheers

Another way from Griot’s is this:

 

[Grabber1]

This is what Michelin Tires has to say about Flat Spots:

What is it? Does it go Away?
It is not uncommon to leave your car parked for days or even weeks without moving the car. It is also not uncommon in colder climates to drive your car in the day, park it over night and have the temperatures drop significantly. In both of these situations, your tires could experience temporary “flat-spotting.” What is this and what causes it? What does it feel like and does it go away? Before we start, just to reassure you, it does go away with running of your tires and we will explain below.

flat spotting
Let’s start with what it is and what causes it. Your tires have many components and almost all tires now have a nylon cap internally just below the tread. When your tire sits, of course the portion on the ground is flat, not round, like the rest of the tire. When the nylon stays in this flat state for a long time, or sometimes when it transitions from a warm tire to a cold tire, it can take a “set” to this flat shape.

Now, let’s talk about how it feels and how it goes away. It feels like you would expect. As you drive and your tires rotate, the “flat spot” which really isn’t flat anymore, just not quite as round as the other parts of your tire, makes your tires and vehicle vibrate. You will likely feel it in the steering wheel and maybe in the car in general. The good thing is that as you drive, your tires rotate, obviously, and your tires warm up. Both of these actions will work the “set” out of the nylon cap meaning that the “flat spot” will go away and the vibration will diminish to normal levels. The amount of driving distance and time will vary, but achieving normal highway speeds for over 20 minutes will relax most flat spotting.

Tire Flat Spotting – How do I minimize it?
As we have stated above, typical tire flat spotting is not permanent, however, it could be a temporary annoyance. Fortunately, steps to minimize flat spotting are in line with good tire maintenance. You can minimize tire flat spotting by keeping your tires at placard pressure. We do not recommend that you inflate beyond placard pressure and certainly do not over-inflate. Also, for your tires and for your vehicle, regular operation and movement of your vehicle is recommended. For tire/vehicle storage, see the website section on tire storage.

What else is there to know about Flat Spotting?
There are two other types of flat spotting that are much less prevalent. First, if you lock your tires up in severe braking, you could “flat spot” the tread by wearing away a large amount of tread in one particular area. This would be visually apparent on the tire and would also create a vibration in the car. It can eventually go away, but would likely take a long time, thousands of miles. Modern vehicles with Anti-Lock Brakes rarely experience this type of flat spotting.

Second, if your tires have been subjected to long storage times while loaded and over-inflated and with fairly high temperatures, the tires could develop a “semi-permanent” flat spotting. This flat spotting will eventually go away, but it may take a good bit of driving. Tires should not be stored loaded and over-inflated while subjected to heat. This is well-understand meaning that this type of flat spotting is unlikely.

In all cases, if you experience vibration when driving and it does not diminish or go away, you should see a tire specialist and have your tires inspected. Persistent vehicle vibration, caused by tires or other suspension components, could be an indication of a more serious problem.

 

[RLE55]

My question is for those with the MagneRide suspension.
My older 79 mustang when stored in the garage is on axle stands with the suspension hanging. I avoid flat spotting my tires this way!

I would not recommend putting car on jack stands, quickjack or similar for long periods of time w/o removing tires/wheels. That's a lot of weight (approx. 50 lbs.) pulling down on springs and dampers if tires/wheels are kept on.
I use the RaceRamps Flatstoppers or the quickjack for winter storage. Used the flatstoppers for first time last winter and the work very well and will probably continue them vs. the quickjacks, which are a PITA to set up.

 

[Grabber1]

My garage stays about 50 to 60 degrees most of the 4 winter months. I've been storing 2 cars for 4 winter months since 2007 and have always put about 3 extra PSI of air into each tire and I've never had any problems with permanent flat spots. They go away after the first 20 mile drive.

 

[Skye]

It depends on the type of tire and temperature where stored.

My garage is not heated, but insulated. On the coldest days, temperatures will approach 40 F / 4.5 C. The car is shod with all-seasons. When prepping for storage, I increase my tires to shipping pressures (40 psi / 2.75 bar) and chock the wheels. That's it.

This year, on the first drive of the season, I did notice some flat spotting on the tires for the first 30 minutes or so. It was minor and the condition faded quickly. To an elderly relative whose car sat much more often, it took a few days for things to right themselves.

Using my temperature as a reference, if you're storing at those temps consistently, just let the car sit. If a Summer or performance tire, have the tire come up to and be at a temp above 50 F, 10 C for 24 hours before using; this is less about damage and more about traction.

If using Summer or performance tires and stored temperatures are expected to be colder, it'd be best to remove and store. I'm reading several comments, several forums and makes, if temps begin approaching or see 20 F / -6C, cracks and tire damage can occur. As a margin of error, anything approaching 32 F / 0C, remove and store.

To those in hot climates, high temperatures with humidity present issues as well. If storing long-term, it could be worthwhile to remove the tires and keep in a climate-controlled area.

 

[Daydream]

Last year was the first year I had a car that I stored. 2024 GT. I was told that modern tires are not really an issue. I did exactly what was explained above. Increased the air in the tires. They were fine and when spring came I actually needed to decrease the pressure a bit. I will be doing this again in 2 weeks.

Sponsored