Cars are meant to be driven, and tires are meant to roll. Leave a car unused for too long and you could face some heavy wear and deterioration inside and out of your precious ride. But long layoffs are especially damaging to your four rubbers, mainly because of all that weight that they need to support. Falken Tires, the Official Light Truck Tire of American Flat Track, reminds car owners that aside from their vehicle’s precious engines, tires need some loving care as well while vehicles are laid up. With the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) forcing cars to go on standby for prolonged periods, the tire maker provides six tips to prevent tire damage that could turn costly when not given the necessary attention.

1. Now’s the perfect time to inspect your tires. Check for uneven tread wear as well as any cuts, bulges in the sidewall. In the tread surface, check for nails and screws embedded in the tire and if there are stones lodged in the tread, carefully remove these.
2. Are all the valve caps present? Valve caps prevent dirt and moisture from getting in the valve and causing issues. Replace any missing ones.
3. Check tire pressures and increase them by around 15PSI over the standard recommended pressure whilst the car is laid up. This will prevent damage and potential flat spots. Put a note inside the car to remind you to return the pressures to normal when you start using it again.
4. If you are planning on laying up your car for an even longer period, consider jacking the car up so the tires aren’t in contact with the ground. So-called ‘tire trainers’ that support the tire to minimize flat spots and premature perishing, are another option.
5. If you can, put the car in a garage. The darker and cooler conditions will protect the tires. If your car is outside, tire covers, made from a reflective aluminum material, are also an option to shield from sunlight and other weather damage.
6. If you have a spare set of cold weather tires, make sure they are stored in a cool, dry, dark place away from oils and solvents that could damage them.

For any concerns or questions you may have about tires, Falken recommends that you call your tire dealer once the lockdown ends. Until then, stay at home, keep safe, and wash your hands.  

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