Tire flat spot stoppers
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 341
Likes: 11
From: Illinois
Tire flat spot stoppers
I'm curious, how many folks are using the tire flat spot stoppers? Do they work? Do I need them for a three to four month storage ?
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: marietta, GA
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Appleton WI
In my opinion, unless they are cheap, it is a waste of money. Back in the day of bias ply tires and old rubber compound technology, it was a problem. Steel belted tires and new compounds don't seem to be affected. The only thing I do is park on some carpet tiles to break the contact between the tires and concrete.
My previous motorcycle had bias ply tires. It would experience flat spotting that would eventually go away after the bike was ridden and tires warmed up to operating temperature. My current bike and Vette do not exhibit this condition.
My previous motorcycle had bias ply tires. It would experience flat spotting that would eventually go away after the bike was ridden and tires warmed up to operating temperature. My current bike and Vette do not exhibit this condition.
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I store my car every winter for about 4 months and just park the car on some old carpet squares and put a little extra air in the tires. Never had a problem with flat spotting.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Columbia SC
Some shocks don't like that for an extended period if you are storing the car on the frame so the suspension drops down. If you can suspend from the suspension then the shocks don't know the difference.
Would not be concerned about storing with the tires on the ground unless it was going to be longer than 6-9 months or so.
Would not be concerned about storing with the tires on the ground unless it was going to be longer than 6-9 months or so.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
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From: LaGrange Park, IL IL
St. Jude Donor '13, '15
Can someone provide more explanation on the reasoning for parking on the carpet/foam mats instead of concrete? Is it in an attempt to isolate the cold temperature from the tire?
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,883
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From: Portland OR
The longest I went without driving my car was a week while I waited for the snow to melt. I will be getting new tires by Spring and averaging 30k miles a year, I doubt I will EVER have to worry about flat spots from sitting. 
When I looked at an '02 Z06 with 13k miles, I was told it was parked on wrestling mats in a climate controlled garage. The idea was to keep it from gettting flat spots, I think. After I drove it, I told the salesman it needed to be sold to a nice older guy who will drive it 1000 miles a year because I was going to hurt that car. 
Last edited by 66dts-v; Sep 10, 2014 at 01:29 PM.
Le Mans Master
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From: ALL governments are legalized mobsters, so doesn't matter where I live :(
In my opinion, unless they are cheap, it is a waste of money. Back in the day of bias ply tires and old rubber compound technology, it was a problem. Steel belted tires and new compounds don't seem to be affected. The only thing I do is park on some carpet tiles to break the contact between the tires and concrete.
My previous motorcycle had bias ply tires. It would experience flat spotting that would eventually go away after the bike was ridden and tires warmed up to operating temperature. My current bike and Vette do not exhibit this condition.
My previous motorcycle had bias ply tires. It would experience flat spotting that would eventually go away after the bike was ridden and tires warmed up to operating temperature. My current bike and Vette do not exhibit this condition.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
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From: Columbia SC
Try this example: Put a glass and plastic cup on the counter and let them reach the same room temperature. Then place each one to your tongue. The glass will "feel" colder only because it can conduct the heat from your body better than plastic.
Many people seem to think that concrete can affect the rubber compounds of the tire but I have never seen empirical data on that.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,507
Likes: 9
Had Corvettes for 30 yrs in the north, never had a flat spot and they sit in the garage over 1/2 their life. Maybe ancient Bias belted non radial tires would do it. Love how old tech never dies, urban legends keep it alive forever. Vette, motorcycle and Challenger sit on concrete all the time, never a problem.