With freight levels down, some fleets have had to park tractors and trailers. Goodyear offers these tips to safeguard tires when they are idle:

1. Unload vehicles as much as possible, especially trailers, so that the tires support a minimum load.  
2. If storing for more than two months, place vehicles on blocks to take the load off the tires.
3. To help avoid flat spotting, inflate your tires to their normal recommended inflation pressure PLUS 25%. Be sure not to exceed the wheel or rim manufacturer’s maximum inflation capacity. For prolonged storage, reinflate your tires PLUS 25% every two months. As tires roll, the constant deflection generates heat that makes the tires more flexible. But once they are parked, the tire’s footprint flattens as it grips the pavement. Flat spotting can be temporary (the tire will round out as driving warms it up) or permanent. Cold ambient temperatures make rubber compounds stiffer, increasing their tendency to flat spot.
4. For outside storage, try to position vehicles in a shaded area. Exposure to UV rays can damage sidewalls, causing cracking. If avoiding sunlight is impossible, cover the tires with opaque plastic or a fabric tarp.  
5. If the tires can’t be lifted off the ground, make sure the storing surface is firm, clean and well drained. Tires, wheels and brakes should not sit in standing water for long periods.
6. Move the vehicle at least once every three months, but don’t move vehicles when temperatures are below 0 degrees F.
7. When it is time to put vehicles back in service, don’t forget to set the inflation pressures back to the recommended pressures for the load being carried.