How do you preserve original tires

[David L.]

Does anyone have suggestions on the best to preserve an original set of tires other then the normal taking them off the car and keeping them out of the sun in a climate controlled atmosphere . And as long as I’m asking what about original sparkplug wires and fan belts. I worry about these irreplaceable items braking down as the years go by and once there gone they are gone for ever.

[Duke W.]

Re: How do you preserve original tires

Keep them away from anything that might generate ozone, too, like electric motors, but beyond that there's nothing you can really do. Some may offer up surface dressing suggestions, but they are really just cosmetic, and I know of none that offer any kind of long term preservation test data against an untreated control sample of the same parts. Plastic bags will keep things clean, but not prevent natural degradation of the materials.

All organic materials eventually deteriorate - some faster than others, but there's no way to tell on new or used parts how long they will last.

Duke

[Tom R.]

Corvette Tire Safety...see Nov issue of CE

I agree with Duke. And if you wish to study the topic, the internet literature is rich with articles referencing the Firestone/Bridgestone recall of 2000/2001 where SUVs were rolling over from tire blowout.

You'll learn that spare tires sitting in their perch, once installed were the culprits due to the separation of tread from belt...aging the cause. Heat and humidity contribute to premature tire aging and in fact they found in the studies that autos from southern states were more likely to blowout than tires mounted on cars in the north. Tire storage is also a factor when they are thrown around, under piles of other tires. Having said that, Corvette tires (new) are constructed with robust materials (halobutyl liners) that defer aging of the tire.

I might plug the November issue of Corvette Enthusiast that has an article on Corvette Tire Safety. Also try the link below...they are a tire safety advocacy group with a number of articles on tire safety and the recall studies.




SRS