Tire Storage

Storing your off-season tires properly protects your investment and frees up space at home. Here is what shop storage costs and how to do it yourself.

Last updated: October 28, 2026

What is tire storage?

Most Canadians own two sets of tires, which means one set is always waiting for its season. Dealers and tire shops offer seasonal storage in climate-protected warehouses, often bundled with the changeover. You can also store tires at home, as long as they are clean, dry and away from heat, sunlight and electric motors that produce ozone.

Signs you need it

• You live in a condo or apartment without storage space.
• Your tires are heavy and hard to transport.
• You want the changeover and storage handled in one appointment.
• Your tires were stored outdoors or in a hot shed in the past.
• You want the shop to inspect your off-season set before reinstalling it.

How much does it cost in Canada?

Ranges are typical of Canadian dealer and tire-shop storage programs. Prices are estimates and vary by vehicle, city, shop and parts quality; always get a written quote.

How to choose a shop

Before you leave tires with a shop, ask how they are labelled and stored, whether the storage is insured and how they will notify you before installation. Take photos of your tires and note the tread depth. Avoid shops that cannot tell you where your tires are kept.

Questions to ask before you book

• Is storage insured against fire or theft?
• Are tires stored indoors and off the ground?
• Do you inspect tires before reinstalling them?
• Is cleaning included?
• What happens if I do not pick them up?

Storing tires at home

• Clean the tires and let them dry fully.
• Store in a cool, dry, dark place, away from furnaces, water heaters and electric motors.
• Tires on rims: stack them horizontally or hang them. Tires without rims: store upright and rotate occasionally.
• Use opaque tire bags to limit exposure to light and ozone.
• Mark the position each tire came from so you can rotate them next season.

Is storage worth it?

For drivers in condos or apartments, shop storage is often the only practical option, and bundling it with the changeover saves a trip. For homeowners with a dry garage or basement, storing at home costs almost nothing once you have bags or a rack. Either way, the most important step is a quick inspection before each season: check tread depth, look for cracks in the sidewall and read the four-digit date code at the end of the DOT number (week and year of manufacture).

Frequently asked questions

How long do tires last in storage?

Tires age even when not used. Many manufacturers recommend inspecting tires older than about five or six years and replacing them at around ten years from the manufacturing date shown in the DOT code, regardless of tread.

Can I store tires in a garage?

Yes, if the garage is dry and the tires are away from heaters, chemicals, direct sunlight and electric motors.

Should I store tires inflated?

If they are mounted on rims, keep them at reduced pressure. Unmounted tires should be stored without pressure.