For drivers and vehicle owners the season that look forward to the least is here...winter. While there are many fun and festive activities to look forward to during the winter, it also means months of uncertain driving conditions and additional wear and tear on your vehicle. Taking all of the necessary steps to winterize your vehicle as well as switching to snow tires can do a lot to preserve your car or truck but you may be wondering what to do with all-weather tires in the mean time so that they are ready to go come spring. Removing the tires is something that you can do yourself; however if you are going to be purchasing new snow tires or having the rims removed as well you can take it in to a local tire dealer. Although it isn't necessary, if you use different lug bolt s for each set of tires you'll want to make sure that you hold on to those and put them someplace that you'll remember when you switch back. Before storing your tires it is important that they are clean and dry. Use a tire brush to clean away the dirt and grim. If you took the wheels off as well you can clean them with soap and water. Make sure that everything is dry before you store them or the moisture can build up creating some unpleasant surprises. Once everything is clean and dry each tire needs to be placed in its own clean, opaque, airtight bag. Large Hefty lawn bags will work as well as those that use a vacuum seal. After as much of the air as possible is removed close the bag tightly and tape it closed. Doing this will help the tire retain its oil and help prevent it from drying out. If you have a special tire storage tote for your hot rod tires put the tires in airtight bags first and then put them in the tote. Once the tires have been properly prepared finding the right location to store them is the most important task. There are many people that would probably assume the garage or storage shed is the best place to store your tires; on the contrary, while it may work best in regards to space, it is not the best location for your tires. They need to be stored in a cool, dry place such as a basement or other climate-controlled space. Locations such as garages and attics have unstable temperatures and are more likely to humidity and excess moisture. Taking the time to properly prepare your tires for storage now will help ensure that they maintain their current condition and are ready for use once the snow melts.