Storage: The Physics of Foam Under Tires?

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by d18mike

My Box goes into storage next week (soft weeping in background).

While I've stored cars before, I've noticed what seems to be an increasing a number of folks are rolling their parked cars onto dense foam. I didn't do particularly well in physics, so I'm struggling see how this helps modern tires in a material way, espc. if the tires are inflated to 50+psi.

If this really helps, I'm all for it. Anyone experienced "foamers" out there with insight?

Thanks.

Totally unnecessary, tires are going to develop slight flat spotting, regardless of what they are sitting on, concrete, foam, carpet, or severely over priced curved dollies. Most tires run out flat spots in about 5 min. of driving. Don’t waste your time or money on this old wife’s tale……………

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

Totally unnecessary, tires are going to develop slight flat spotting, regardless of what they are sitting on, concrete, foam, carpet, or severely over priced curved dollies. Most tires run out flat spots in about 5 min. of driving. Don’t waste your time or money on this old wife’s tale……………

+1 on this.

[eightsandaces]

Don't think it's a wives tale at all, fact is it's why Michelin claims to use the sport rib design. I do think foam is a waste of time, getting the car on stands for winter was even recommended in my 944 service bulletins, that's what I do every year.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by eightsandaces

Don't think it's a wives tale at all, fact is it's why Michelin claims to use the sport rib design. I do think foam is a waste of time, getting the car on stands for winter was even recommended in my 944 service bulletins, that's what I do every year.

In over thirty five years of storing multiple Porsche’s, fitted with everything from Bridgestone’s, Pirellis to Goodyear’s and Michelins; none of them ever had a problem sitting on the concrete floor of the shop for the winter. No foam, no levitation devices, nothing. And no prolonged flat spotting issues either. If your tire manufacture is telling you to park the car on foam to protect the tires, I’d suggest you need new tires from another manufacturer………………

[eightsandaces]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

In over thirty five years of storing multiple Porsche’s, fitted with everything from Bridgestone’s, Pirellis to Goodyear’s and Michelins; none of them ever had a problem sitting on the concrete floor of the shop for the winter. No foam, no levitation devices, nothing. And no prolonged flat spotting issues either. If your tire manufacture is telling you to park the car on foam to protect the tires, I’d suggest you need new tires from another manufacturer………………

It's pretty clear in my post I don't believe in the foam, guess you missed that. My friend works for Hyundai corporate and reports that cars sitting too long have had flat spot problems. To each his own, I have four mini jacks, to un-weight the tires is NBD.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by eightsandaces

It's pretty clear in my post I don't believe in the foam, guess you missed that. My friend works for Hyundai corporate and reports that cars sitting too long have had flat spot problems. To each his own, I have four mini jacks, to un-weight the tires is NBD.

And your use of four jacks is exactly what a Porsche TSB describes as “improper storage conditions” where the suspension is “hanging” leading to “premature component failures”, along with denied warranty claims for the same……….. Let it sit on the floor, nothing bad is going to happen………….

[eightsandaces]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

And your use of four jacks is exactly what a Porsche TSB describes as “improper storage conditions” where the suspension is “hanging” leading to “premature component failures”, along with denied warranty claims for the same……….. Let it sit on the floor, nothing bad is going to happen………….

How is the suspension hanging when the tire is still skimming the floor? That small travel of unweighted spring and shock? Clearly we don't agree, that's fine, we don't need to e battle about it. The fiat is 38 years old and has not suffered under the same conditions.