How-To How to Prevent Flat Spots

Temporary vs. Permanent Flat Spots

All permanent flat spots start out as temporary flat spots, and both are troublesome, inconvenient, and can make for a bumpy ride when you start driving your car after a long period of inactivity. Temporary flat spots go away as the tires heat up on the road and apply active pressure that rounds the tire back out.

Permanent flat spots are sometimes harder to identify, as they might not be as pronounced as temporary spots, and manifest themselves as vibrations or shakes when your car hits a certain speed. The scary thing about permanent flat spots is that you might not be able to identify the cause right away, which can lead you down a rabbit hole of replacing other parts of your car trying to correct the problem.

If your car’s flat spots just aren’t coming out after 25 miles or more, there’s a good chance the inner construction of the tire has become too compromised. Time to get new tires. Fortunately, flat spots are entirely preventable, and understanding why and how they happen puts you a step closer to mitigating them entirely.

Recognize the Primary Contributing Factors

There are certain reasons why a tire might be more prone to flat spotting, including:

• 
• Performance and high-speed tires, which have internal nylon-reinforcement and are designed to be softer and more malleable for great ground contact, are more at risk for flat spotting. Their larger surface area and specific tread compounds gives them amazing grip; however, it means they cool quickly against the ground when parked.
• 
• Cold storage temperatures, especially in northern states, can amplify the potential for flat spots. A big problem in garages with concrete floors, or outdoor storage, low ambient temperatures can stiffen up tires, making them more prone to becoming stuck in their flat position.
• 
• The length of time between active use is also a factor, and one that varies tire to tire. Some high performance and sports cars will develop temporary flat spots on their performance tires after one cold night parked outside. For the majority of cars, flat spots will develop over weeks and months.

Why Classic Cars are Particularly Susceptible to Flat Spotting

This i definitely an area you don’t want to skim over. Take your time, and it will make a huge difference at the show. Use old toothbrushes to really get into the hard-to-reach places, and microfiber cloths to gently buff everything when you’re finished. Never use WD-40, as dust and particles will adhere to it. Instead, use trim restorer. Take care not to get product on your belts either. As a final touch, you can use paint markers to make the colors pop on faded cap lettering, as well as covering up rusted screws so they don’t stick out like a sore thumb (if you choose not to replace them).

Take Preventative Measures Before and During Storage

• 
• Wash your tires before storage so there is no chance of the dirt and debris affecting the tires at a molecular level. Tires accumulate dust, dirt, grime and similar nasties during normal everyday use, and if they are stored dirty, those particles could start to break down your tires.
• 
• Fill your tires to the correct pressure, and check them periodically while the car is stored because cold weather can cause pressure drops. Plus, you never know – you might have a slow leak you weren’t aware of. Some drivers swear by overfilling their tires, or inflating them to the max psi listed on their sidewalls, however this can be dangerous and compromise your tires in other ways.
• 
• Keep tires out of direct sunlight while in storage to prevent UV damage that dries out and deteriorates rubber over time. This can be achieved either by applying a UV tint to your garage windows, or covering up your tires.
• 
• Use tire supports to keep the tire’s natural curve. Tire cradles like our FlatStoppers allow you to drive directly onto a concave pad and keep your tires shaped correctly no matter the weather. They are a fantastic, hassle-free solution that doesn’t require you to move your car every few weeks like some other methods.
• 
• Remove the tires completely and either replace them with cheap winter tires, or set the car up on jack stands or a lift. Something to note about this method though – the suspension might look lifted for a little bit after you take your car out of storage!

If your garage or storage unit has the space, drive forwards and backwards a little bit every two weeks to keep your tires resting in a different position. Weather-permitting, you can also take your car out for a little spin occasionally to give your tires some centrifugal force, although it’s not recommended in states that salt winter roads or experience high humidity as both could lead to corrosion or rust.