I looked around a little and found the following recommendations:
Move the vehicle at least every three months to prevent ozone cracking in
the bulge area and also to prevent a "flat spot" from developing (due to
strain from deflection). If tires do develop a temporary "flat spot", it
will usually disappear in a short period of time (for example, the first 25
miles of service).
It was also recommended that if you are going to store the tires for a long
period, remove them from the car and place them in storage bags. This will
protect the tires from natural ozone in the air which can cause tire rubber
to dry and crack.
HTH,
GBergthold
From: "Larry Velez" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Subject: [a2-16v-list] Tire problems after low use period
Date: Sun, 21 Dec 2003 14:30:36 -0500
Hey 16vs,
So my 16V had been sitting for about 8 months not being moved much. The
engine was started occasionally to make sure it stayed
healthy. This past Wednesday, it was put back on the road. Yesterday I
began having tire problems with my Bridgestone Potenza
RE730s. In the morning my rear right tire went flat. Luckily I was
right across the street from a tire place and they checked it
out. Turned out to be fine, they suspected that the 'glue' had come lose
from sitting so long. So they reglued it and adjusted
pressure on all tires - they were all a bit low.
Then last night the rear left tire popped a hole on the side while on the
highway doing ~60mph. Luckily I was able to exit
immediately. I replaced the tire with the spare and went to where I was
going. When I got back to my car after a couple of
hours, the rear right tire was flat again. This left me stuck with no
other donut to use. So I hopped in a cab with the flat
tire and went to a tire place (this is at 4:30 am, it's great living in NYC
where there is always a 24 hour place for everything).
Again, they checked the tire and saw no punctures on it and again suspected
a glue problem. They reglued it and filled it up and I
took a cab back to my car. I was able to limp home. Today the winter
wheels go on - they will be immediately checked for
pressure and will be driven slowly for a couple of days since they have
actually been sitting for a couple of years - but in a room
temp garage.
I suspect I should have been moving the car around more often and that
maybe flat spots developed which started a chain reaction.
What do you guys think and are there any procedures for caring for tires
when they are stored or the car isn't moved for long
periods?
thanks,
Larry
91 GTI 16V
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