Can you get a warranty on tires and wheels?
In short, Yes.
Your car’s tires and wheels are vulnerable to many problems out there. You never know when you’re going to run into an issue such as nails in the road, debris or potholes. When you run into those issues and have an unexcepted tire or wheel issue it can be, well, deflating. AAA reported they responded to about 4 million tire related calls recently. It can be expensive as well as deadly when this occurs. Which brings us to the question, is there such a thing as tire and wheel warranties. Yes there are and the following will explain the different types that are offered.
Most new cars come with a basic or limited warranty, which will cover everything except body panels, drivetrain components and wear and tear items such as brake pads, oil filters and wiper blades. New car tires, however, are not covered by the vehicle’s basic warranty. Typically, it will come from the tiremaker and protects against premature tire wear or manufacturing defects. Luckily there are companies out there that provide Tire and Wheel coverage. It typically provides coverage in the event of damage due to road hazards such as glass, metal, potholes, debris, nails, blowouts etc.
Different types of Tire warranties;
Basic Manufacturer Warranties:
The coverage is typically limited to a specific time period or wear condition, such as when the tire has just 2/32 of an inch of tread remaining ( the point where legally its considered worn out). It also covers any workmanship and uniformity issues. Manufacturers offer treadwear coverage for a specific # of miles but if you file a claim most likely you'll just receive a prorated amount back for miles not put on the tires. Also most warranties demand proof that a tire was properly maintained, so make sure to keep records of your tire rotations and receipt of purchase.
Manufacturer Road-Hazard Warranties:
Some tire manufacturers include road hazard protection for free but other places the prices can vary from $10-$20 per wheel. It typically will cover you if you get a flat tire and they will either repair the wheel or if unrepairable, they will prorate the mileage that remains towards a new wheel purchase.
Manufacturer Special Warranty:
This typically is a 30 day trial so you can determine if the tires you purchased are right for you. If you aren't satisfied with your purchase you can either get a refund or put the credit towards another tire.
Can a warranty be voided?
Yes, just as a cars warranty can. The main thing that will void a tire warranty is improper maintenance, so if you can't provide proof that your tires are kept inflated, rotated and aligned properly any claim will be denied. Also of course if you're racing, off roading or they're damaged by snow chains then that will also void your warranty. So the best advice is to keep your tires inflated to the recommended tire pressure, rotate the tires about every 5,000 miles and inspect them now and then to make sure the wear on them is consistent. Also keep a record of all of it!
To buy or not to buy a warranty?
Typically, it's more a profit for the tire shop but if you like to just have the comfort of knowing you'll be protected then by all means go for it! If you're still on the fence then consider this, how many times/ how often have you had a flat recently, how much did you pay to repair/replace it and would the cost of the warranty be beneficial enough to cover that cost, also do you live/drive in an area with a lot of debris? if the answers to those questions are yes/often then I would say get the warranty. If the answers were no then I wouldn't go for it. At the end of the day it's about what is cost effective and makes sense for your budget and peace of mind.
- Heather Jarkow