Understanding Tire Warranties

When tires wear out prematurely or have defects that lead to a repair or replacement, they can be a costly expense. Fortunately, a tire warranty can help offset those costs and quickly get you back on the road. Tire warranties work like most product warranties — the owner files a claim, and the manufacturer evaluates it and, if accepted, issues a replacement or a prorated refund to cover replacement. But unlike many warranties, tire warranties require some diligence from the owner. Tire warranties also span a few different types of coverages, including tread life, road hazards and workmanship.

Manufacturing defects, debris and poorly maintained roads are among the things that can cause flats or premature wear, and sometimes these issues are unavoidable. But the good news is that most tires come with warranties that can protect consumers from having to pay full price on a new tire.

However, there are exceptions when it comes to specialty designs. For example, winter tires and some high-performance tires feature sidewall compositions and rubber compounds that deteriorate more rapidly than conventional designs, and as a result, they typically do not carry a mileage warranty. To avoid any potential surprises, it's a good idea to verify what sort of coverage is provided by the manufacturer for the specific type of tire that you're considering before you make a purchase.  

Jump to:

• Tire life defined
• Tire tread-life warranties
• Tire road hazard warranties
• Tire workmanship and materials warranty
• Tire manufacturers' special warranty
• Tire uniformity warranty
• What voids your tire warranty?
• Tire warranty tips: Inflate, rotate, evaluate
  

Tire life defined

Most tiremakers have determined that the usable life of a tire is either six years from the date of purchase or when there's just 2/32nds of an inch of tread left. While there's no federal law regulating tire wear, a Michelin tire spokesperson says that the 2/32nds measurement has been adopted by most states.

This measurement is difficult to visualize without a reference point, but there are at least two indicators that a tire is nearing the end of its life. Tires sold in North America are required to have tread-wear indicators, which are found in the tire tread's grooves. The wear indicators look like small bars of tread that run perpendicular to the grooves of the tread pattern. If the tire's wear has reached these indicators, it's time for a new tire.

Another measure is the penny method. Put a penny in the groove of the tire, upside down and with Lincoln's head facing you. The distance from the top of Lincoln's head to the edge of the coin is about 2/32nds of an inch. So if the top of Lincoln's head is showing, you'll need to replace the tire. A similar method involves using Washington's head on a quarter to measure 4/32nds of an inch, but this is a safety indicator, not a way to support a claim that a tire has worn out prematurely.

Related article: How Old — and Dangerous — Are Your Tires?

Tire tread-life warranties

Every tire manufacturer offers tread-life warranties, and nearly every tire has a mileage estimate (though, as mentioned above, certain specialty tires do not). The tread-life estimate is based on the type of tire and the number of miles that the tire can be expected to last under usual driving conditions. For example, high-performance tires on a sports car are softer and have a lower mileage estimate than the harder tires typically found on an economy car.

If a tire has worn out evenly across the tread well before its estimated mileage limit, it may qualify for replacement under the tread-life warranty. In this situation, the manufacturer prorates the cost of the new tire based on the percentage of remaining tread on the old tire and the price of the replacement tire. But keep in mind that you'll likely need to provide proof of purchase and proof that the tires were rotated properly at the recommended intervals.

This prorating method is similar to how companies reimburse owners under car battery warranties. For example, let's say you had a tire with an 80,000-mile warranty and saw only 70,000 miles of life out of it. In theory, you haven't reached the mileage threshold, so you have a case to make for the remaining 10,000 miles.

Even so, Tirerack.com notes that because manufacturers won't consider replacement until the tires are worn down to the 2/32nds tread-wear indicator, consumers often have to continue driving with potentially compromised safety or reduced tire performance before they can make a warranty claim.

Michelin is one of the very few manufacturers that provides a tread-life warranty for winter tires. But to keep this warranty coverage in good standing, owners must remove the tires during the off-season to ensure that they're used properly. Ideally, you should put the tires on in the fall, around October 1, and take them off in the spring, around April 1. If not, there's a chance it could void that warranty claim.

Some sports cars are equipped with different tire sizes at the front and rear of the vehicle. Commonly referred to as a "staggered setup," this difference in sizes means that the tires that cannot be rotated in a traditional method — the front tires must stay on the front of the vehicle, and the rear tires must stay on the rear. In split-size fitments like this, the rear tires often get half of the mileage warranty of the front tires. That's because the rear tires wear out almost twice as fast as the fronts on high-performance rear-wheel-drive vehicles.

Tire road hazard warranties

Tire stores typically offer these warranties, which come into play if, for example, you get a flat tire from a nail, screw or other sharp, penetrating object. If the tire can be repaired, the repair is covered for the duration of the warranty. If the tire can't be repaired, the company will prorate the remaining mileage toward the purchase of a new tire. Some companies even throw in free tire rotations for the duration of the warranty.

Road hazard warranty prices vary based on the tire and the vendor, but on average, they range from $10 to $20 per tire. Edmunds editors have mixed feelings about them. Some have put them to use, while others think that they are a waste of money.

These types of warranties are a major source of profit for tire shops, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they don't offer value to drivers. 

Think of a road hazard warranty as an insurance policy for your tires. If you're having a tough time deciding whether it's worth the additional outlay, consider how many times you've had a nail or a puncture in one of your vehicle's tires over the past few years and what it cost to resolve those incidents. Was the amount you spent on repair or replacement enough to justify the warranty? Do you drive in an area with a lot of debris on the road? Or are you just the kind of person who feels better when you buy the extended warranty on a product? If your answer to any of those questions is a yes, this type of warranty coverage might be worth the money.

While most road hazard warranties are offered by tire retailers, some manufacturers, like Continental and Kumho, also offer them on their tires. These warranties are typically limited to one year of coverage.

Tire workmanship and materials warranty

The workmanship and materials warranty protects the consumer from any defects in the manufacturing or materials used in the tire. Most manufacturers offer this coverage for the life of the tire. If a blowout occurs due to a manufacturing defect, for example, it would be covered under warranty. This typically requires an inspection from the manufacturer, which, as you might imagine, leaves a warranty claim open to some interpretation. Some defects, however, are fairly obvious.

"Workmanship and materials" means that the company stands behind the product should you run into an issue. Some of the problems covered include severe cracking in the sidewall or the loss of a block of tread. If a workmanship or manufacturing failure comes up within the first 2/32nds of an inch of tread, most manufacturers will replace the tire for free. Anything after that will usually bring a prorated amount.

Tire manufacturers' special warranty

A manufacturer's special warranty typically takes the form of a 30-day promotional trial. This is the best time to determine whether the tires you just bought are right for you. If consumers are not satisfied with their tires for any reason, they are eligible for a full refund or credit toward the purchase of another tire. Bridgestone, General Tire, Michelin and Yokohama are just a few of the manufacturers that offer these trial programs.

In March 2011, Michelin launched its Michelin Promise Plan, which has three components: a 60-day satisfaction guarantee, a limited mileage warranty and flat-tire changing assistance.

The flat-tire changing assistance makes the program stand out from its competitors. If customers have a flat tire and do not know how to change it, or just do not want to do it themselves, they can call a toll-free number and roadside assistance will install the spare free of charge. If the customer has no spare, Michelin will arrange for a tow to the nearest Michelin-approved repair center for up to 150 miles.

Tire uniformity warranty

The uniformity warranty is one that most drivers will rarely, if ever, need to call upon. This warranty covers excessive vibration or ride disturbance caused by manufacturing inconsistencies that create an internal weight imbalance in the tire. For most tire manufacturers, the buyer has to notify the company within the first 2/32nds of an inch of tire tread.

Uniformity issues typically manifest immediately and should be obvious to the vehicle's driver. As such, the warranties tend not to cover ride issues late in the tire's life.

In most circumstances, a uniformity problem would be covered under the 30-day manufacturer's special warranty, but the uniformity clause is there to protect the consumer against problems that happen past that.

What voids your tire warranty?

Just as you can void your car's warranty, you can void your tire's warranty, too. The big one to watch out for is improper maintenance. If the tire manufacturer does not see proof that the tires were inflated, rotated and aligned properly, chances are your warranty claim will be denied. Other warranty killers include vandalism, racing, off-roading and damage from snow chains.

Tire warranty tips: Inflate, rotate, evaluate

As with any warranty, the manufacturer expects you to do your part to maintain the product to its standards. The Bridgestone tire manual, for example, tells consumers to do these three things to ensure long tire life:

1. Keep your tires inflated to the recommended tire pressure to ensure even wear.
2. Rotate the tires based on the manufacturer's recommendation or every 5,000 miles, keeping a record of the service.
3. Inspect your tires periodically, looking for any bumps or inconsistent wear patterns.

Don't cut corners on safety

These warranties may seem like too much to keep track of, but if you take a few basic precautions, you'll not only reduce the chances of a tire wearing out prematurely, but you'll also be fully prepared for a claim. Hang onto your purchase receipt and keep a record of all tire rotations and alignments. Keep in mind that it is better to miss out on a warranty claim than to run the tire to the end of its tread life and compromise your safety.