Flat spots on tires
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,762
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From: SUFFIELD CT USA 2023 C8 CORVETTE UN-MODIFIED FINALIST
2023 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Flat spots on tires
I move my C3 and GT350 about 3 feet forward or back every month during their 3 or 4 month winter storage to avoid flat spotting the tires.
Am I wasting my effort? I don't use jackstands especially on the 35 year old! Has anybody heard of flat spots on modern radials?
Am I wasting my effort? I don't use jackstands especially on the 35 year old! Has anybody heard of flat spots on modern radials?
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 1999
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From: AnyTown NJ
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
If your running with bias ply tires then moving your car every so often is a good idea...however I've never had my radial tires flat spot so in that case moving your car would be a waste of time and effort.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Going back & forward 3' puts the tires back in the same spot, shouldn't you a least U turn and park them on a new spot?
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 62
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From: Morven NC.
Why the aversion to jack stands? it don't have to be way up in the air, only a half inch or so. It just seems a sure way to avoid flat spots. Or junker tires and wheels for storage and stack the runners indoors where there is the slightest warmth, maybe near the water heater, or in the rafters where heat rises.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Butler Pa
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
I've never had a car get "flat spots" on the tires from cold storage over the winter. There are plenty of real things you could be worrying about instead.
Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: SUFFIELD CT USA 2023 C8 CORVETTE UN-MODIFIED FINALIST
2023 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Last edited by BPHORSEGUY; Mar 6, 2012 at 09:37 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Midland Ontario
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Don't sweat worrying about it. Once you check air pressure on your first ride of the spring, the dynamic qualities of the tires will "work" out any kinks that may have developed. My brother is a design engineer with Goodyear....according to him, modern radials will only deflect on a "microscopic level" over a winter layaway. Once driven 20-30 miles, it makes no difference if they've sat all winter or not. He does however recommend a slight overinflation(as was previously mentioned) during prolonged storage intervals of 6 months or more - which up north here is roughly my storage season.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,090
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From: New Carlisle IN
Coming from a person who works in a related rubber field, the flat spots will work themselves out with in the first couple of miles of driving. There is nothing to worry about if you keep the tires inflated properly. I let my 98 Camaro sit outside all winter and just jumped in it this morning to take to work. Had a slight vibration for about 2 miles going down the road and then it went away.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Coming from a person who works in a related rubber field, the flat spots will work themselves out with in the first couple of miles of driving. There is nothing to worry about if you keep the tires inflated properly. I let my 98 Camaro sit outside all winter and just jumped in it this morning to take to work. Had a slight vibration for about 2 miles going down the road and then it went away.
Always bugged the crap out of me those first few minutes tho...
