Tires: Tire Storage, tire identification number, wheels and tires

Question
I purchased 4 wheels and tires (Bridgestone) that are almost new. I needed the wheels now. I want to preserve the tires for 3-4 years until I need them. Suggestions?

Answer
Storing tires:

It's best if you store tires in a cool dry place off the floor, and away from petroleum products and sources of heat and ozone (like electric motors)

However, you should be aware that the latest ibformation says that tires have a limited lifespan, even if they are not in service.  Some folks have said 6 years from the date of manufacture, - some have said 10 years.  You should check the date on your tires and decide what to do from there.

To find the date of manufacture of a tire you need to look at the Tire Identification Number (TIN) next to the letters "DOT".  The TIN will be between 10 and 12 digits long.  The first 2 are a code for the manufacturing plant.  The next 2 are a code for the tire size.  The next 3 or 4 are the design of the tire as assigned by the manufacturer.  The last 3 or 4 is a code for the manufacturing date in a week / week / year or week / week / year / year format.  For example if the the date code is 399, the tire was made the 39th week of 1999.  If it says  2902, the tire was made the 29th week of 2002.  You can somewhat tell if the date code is 3 or 4 digits long   as they started using 4 digits between late 1999 and early 2000.  So all late 2000 production will end in 00.

Hope this helps.