The Working of Tire Warranties: Things to Know

Tire warranties and guarantees offer far more than most consumer products that provide three- to 12-month warranties. These warranties cover your product for multiple years and include coverage for materials, tread life, workmanship, uniformity, and more. Keep reading to learn more about the common coverages tire warranties provide, plus the requirements and restrictions of each one.

Tread Wear and Mileage Warranty

This is one of the most common conditions included in tire warranties, and consumers have come to expect it when buying new tires. If the treads on a tire wear out before it meets the stated mileage rating, the manufacturer will replace the tires at a prorated value. There are some restrictions on this part of the warranty. Typically, the warranty does not apply to tires that were sold on new vehicles. It also doesn’t count if the claim was made past the windows specified by the manufacturer. Additionally, the warranty can only be applied to the original owner and vehicle. Lastly, the claim is only considered valid if the owner has followed the recommended care guidelines by performing tire rotations, alignments, and air pressure upkeep regularly.

Satisfaction Guarantee

When you buy tire warranties, you may notice that they now come with satisfaction guarantees. Usually lasting for 30 days, these warranties allow drivers to test out their new wheels. If they don’t like them, they will be able to return the tire for a different one of the same brand within 30 days of purchase. However, the guarantee will be voided if the tires were misused, harmed by a road hazard, or used while driving in a race.

Uniformity

Most tire manufacturers pride themselves on having tight quality control. Sometimes, however, a tire that is out of balance, is out of round, or causes a ride disturbance will be sold. They account for this chance by offering a uniformity warranty and replacing the defective tire. Like other types of warranties, there are some restrictions. Manufacturers all believe they have excellent quality control, so they require a lot of proof from consumers in order to approve the claim.

People who file multiple-tire claims will usually get their claims rejected since manufacturers are not likely to believe uniformity issues happen often. Additionally, issues caused by uniformity defects typically become noticeable early on in a tire’s lifespan. Claims submitted after tires have been used for more than six to 12 months will also usually be declined. They will reject the claim if they rule that the issue is related to road hazards, poor maintenance, an accident, or vandalism.

Materials and Workmanship

Tire warranties will sometimes cover the cost of workmanship and materials. They provide coverage for conditions that render a tire unusable and that were caused by flaws in the materials or workmanship. For any claim made within a year of the purchase date and while the tire still has 75 percent of its tread, the tire will usually be replaced for free. Otherwise, the tire will be replaced at a prorated rate.

To learn more about tire warranties or to purchase one today, contact us at Wheel and Tire Care.