Shopping for tires is tough. There are a lot options and a lot to compare. One selling point is the treadwear warranty. And that’s what we’re going to discuss today.

I’d argue that you should ignore warranty coverage and focus on more important things like suitability for your application and brand reputation.

While a warranty can offer some benefit, it’s no guaranty that your tire will last through the warranty period. And if it doesn’t, there’s no guaranty you’ll get any warranty payout.

Why wouldn’t the warranty pay? You’ll need to prove that you rotated your tires every 5,000 miles, and if the tires show significant signs of use while under-inflated or alignment wear, the warranty claim may be denied. Even if the warranty claim is approved, you may be surprised how little you recover due to the pro-rated nature of the warranty.

How To Maintain your Warranty

To maintain your treadwear warranty coverage, here’s what you’ll need to do:

Tire Rotations: Most manufacturers require regular tire rotations, typically every 5,000 to 8,000 miles. Keep detailed records of each rotation, including the date, mileage, and service provider.
Proper Inflation: Maintain the correct tire pressure as specified by your vehicle manufacturer. Check your tire pressure at least monthly and before long trips.
Wheel Alignment: Ensure your vehicle’s wheels are properly aligned. Misalignment can cause uneven tire wear, potentially voiding your warranty.
Tire Inspections: Regularly inspect your tires for signs of wear, damage, or other issues. Address any problems promptly to prevent further damage.

Record Keeping

Maintaining comprehensive records is for warranty claims:

Purchase receipt: Keep your original tire purchase invoice, which should include the date of purchase, tire model, and price.
Maintenance records: Document all tire rotations, alignments, and other relevant services. Include dates, mileage, and details of the work performed.
Tire pressure logs: This might be over the top, but you could consider keeping a log of your tire pressure checks. If the tire has obvious underinflation wear, this won’t help, but if it’s a close call, maybe?

Don’t leave problems Unaddressed

If you notice any unusual wear patterns or other tire issues, have them inspected and addressed immediately. Failing to do so could result in your warranty claim being denied.

How Pro-Rated Treadwear Warranties Work

Treadwear warranties typically offer to replace your tires if they wear out before reaching the promised mileage. However, these replacements are usually pro-rated based on the actual mileage achieved.

Pro-Rated Calculation Example

Let’s consider a scenario with the following details:

Tire Price: $170
Warranty Mileage: 65,000 miles
Actual Mileage at Wear-Out: 50,000 miles

To calculate the pro-rated warranty payout:

Determine the percentage of unused mileage:
(65,000 – 50,000) / 65,000 = 0.23 or 23%
Calculate the warranty credit:
$170 x 0.23 = $39.10

In this example, you would receive a $39.10 credit towards the purchase of a new tire.

By the way, this is one of main reason tire manufacturers offer treadwear warranties. With no warranty, a consumer may buy a tire from any manufacturer. The warranty brings a customer back to buy another set of the same tires.

While a 23% discount is a pretty substantial discount with a low markup item like tires, it’s not that much for the manufacturer. Manufacturers routinely offer rebates for $100, $200, or even $300 per set of tires. And it’s a lot easier to collect a rebate than win the treadwear warranty lottery.

Factors Affecting Payout

Several factors can impact your warranty payout:

Tread Depth: Tires must typically be worn down to 2/32″ of tread depth to qualify for warranty replacement.
Even Wear: Tires must show even wear across all four tires. Uneven wear may indicate improper maintenance or alignment issues.
Time Limit: Most warranties have a time limit (e.g., 5 or 6 years) in addition to the mileage limit.
Original Owner: Warranties are often non-transferable, applying only to the original purchaser.

The Reality of Treadwear Warranty Claims

While treadwear warranties may seem appealing, the reality is that they often provide limited value for several reasons:

Strict Requirements

Meeting all the warranty requirements can be challenging. Missing a single tire rotation or failing to maintain proper tire pressure could void your warranty.

Pro-Rated Payouts

As demonstrated in our example, even when successfully claiming a warranty, the payout is often relatively small compared to the cost of new tires.

Time and Effort

The process of filing a warranty claim can be time-consuming and may require multiple visits to the tire dealer. You’ll need to present all your maintenance records and may need to have your tires inspected.

Wear Patterns

Tires rarely wear perfectly evenly, even with proper maintenance. Slight variations in wear patterns could be used as grounds to deny a warranty claim.

Difficulty in Reaching Wear Limit

Many drivers replace their tires before they reach the 2/32″ tread depth required for warranty claims, as driving on such worn tires can be unsafe.

Is Pursuing a Treadwear Warranty Claim Worth It?

Given the challenges and potential payouts, you might wonder if pursuing a treadwear warranty claim is worthwhile. Consider the following:

Pros:

Potential Savings: While often small, the warranty payout can provide some financial relief when purchasing new tires.
Encourages Proper Maintenance: The requirements for maintaining warranty coverage can motivate you to take better care of your tires, potentially extending their life.

Cons:

Time-Consuming: The process of maintaining records and filing a claim can be lengthy and tedious.
Limited Payout: As shown in our example, the actual savings are often minimal.
Strict Requirements: Meeting all the warranty conditions can be challenging, and failing to do so may void your coverage.
Potential for Denial: Even with proper maintenance, your claim may be denied due to factors beyond your control, such as slight variations in wear patterns.

It’s Worth Taking Care of Your Tires Regardless

Even if you’re not worried about maintaining warranty coverage, it makes sense to buy good tires and take care of them.

Buy good tires: Choose tires with a reputation for durability and performance, even if they cost more upfront.
Keep them inflated: Regularly check and maintain proper tire pressure to ensure even wear and optimal performance.
Rotate Tires Regularly: Rotate your tires every 5,000 miles.
Fix Alignment Issues: Have your wheel alignment checked annually or if you notice uneven tire wear.
Don’t drive like a maniac: Avoid harsh acceleration, braking, and cornering, which can accelerate tire wear.
Replace your tires when worn: Think about replacing tires when they reach 4/32″ of tread. You can legally drive until 2/32″, but you’re far more likely to get a flat and the grip won’t be as good as new.

Conclusion

My advice? Ignore the warranty. Instead, invest in quality tires and taking good care of them. You’re likely to achieve better long-term value than by pursuing warranty claims. Prioritize tire selection and proper care, and you’ll likely find that your tires serve you well, warranty or not.