When purchasing new tires for your vehicle, you may choose to compare tread wear warranties. These warranties protect the consumer if the tires wear out before the warranty period runs out, assuming that the consumer took proper care of the tires. Lauren Fix, the Car Coach, has more.
•Know that specific mileage tread wear warranties cover the tire for a certain number of miles. If your tires wear out, which means the tread depth is less than 2/32 of an inch of the remaining tread depth, the manufacturer will pay for part of the cost of a new set of tires.
•Understand the difference between specific mileage tread wear and lifetime tread wear warranties. With a lifetime tread wear warranty, the manufacturer is saying that the tires should last a specific amount of time, rather than an amount of miles.
•Realize that for the manufacturer to consider that your tires are worn out, the tread depth must be less than 2/32 of an inch or down to the tread wear indicators. If this is the case, then the tires aren't safe, especially if you're driving in hazardous conditions such as rain, ice or snow. If you plan to drive in conditions such as these, you should replace your tires before they reach 4/32 of an inch of the remaining tread depth.
•All tire warranties are in place assuming that you can prove that you properly maintained the tires. The amount that the manufacturer will discount the new tires will depend on how many miles remain in your warranty.
•If you purchase tires with the longest warranty that the manufacturer offers, then you are getting a tire that the manufacturer considers a high quality tire that won't wear very quickly.
This low rolling resistant tire offers a 6 year / 90,000-mile warranty and will save you over $250 in fuel savings over the life of the tires.
Name brand tires with a warranty can provide you with up to two car lengths less in stopping distance and up to 1.5 additional years of driving.
Finding a tire with a warranty is a smart choice. Make sure to save the paperwork as well. Each manufacturer's tire warranty may vary.
A few tire manufacturers offer a 30-Day Satisfaction Guarantee on passenger and light truck replacement tires. If you're not 100 percent satisfied, bring the tires and original sales receipt back to the place of purchase within 30 days for a new set of tires.
Tire manufacturers usually don't offer a Road Hazard Warranty, which an installer may offer.
Remember to read the warranties carefully and keep your receipts if you ever have to make a claim. Remember, sometimes what the big print offers, the small print takes away.