A Look at Tire Warranties

You hope your car's tires will last as long as the manufacturer suggests, whether that's measured in miles or years. But like all things, mistakes happen, and sometimes you're left needing to replace a tire or two — often unexpectedly. With tires in constant need of upgrades, it only makes sense to look at a way to buffer the cost.

If you put a lot of miles on your car or truck, or if you just seem to go through a lot of tires for some reason (burnouts), a tire warranty might the right solution for you.

Tire warranties are relatively straightforward. Unlike parts of the vehicle that require diagnostics, like the powertrain system, you can tell right away if a tire is damaged. Tires are one of the few parts of cars that get changed without damage — think all-season and winter tires as well as regular rotations. Since you plan so diligently for routine maintenance on tires, it only makes sense to look into warranty protections against the unexpected. 

Uproar.car will cover your car for less, protecting you against expensive repairs from bumper to bumper. With a focus on customer care and no middleman to complicate repairs and claims, you’ll get easy coverage you can actually use. The plan even pays for itself — Uproar.car’s warranty coverage gives you exclusive access to discounts, auto concierge service, and a 100 percent online claims process. And with clear, upfront price quotes, you’ll know exactly what to expect when it comes to the cost. It should also be noted, however, that this coverage does not extend to some luxury vehicles, cars over 120,000 miles, and cars more than 10 years old.

Tire warranties are common in that almost every manufacturer provides them. Sometimes, you can access supplemental services through the supplier or your mechanic’s shop. Though tires can last for years, they often suffer premature wear and tear. To offset the potentially expensive cost of new tires, warranties can assist. 

This type of warranty covers damage to the tires within their projected lifespan. When you get new tires, the material used in construction and the tread style is used to calculate the projected mileage. This metric determines the duration of coverage from the warranty, though there are still some additional caveats to the warranty. 

If the tires wear down evenly throughout the tread, many can access a no-cost replacement through the initial warranty before the mileage cap. To be effective, you're required to show proof of purchase and tire maintenance. It may not cover the full replacement price, rather the differential based on the amount of wear in terms of miles. 

For example, if the tires originally had a mileage projection of 50,000 miles and wore down evenly with 20,000 remaining miles, the coverage would prorate the cost of your new tires, the warranty bearing the cost equivalent of that 20,000 miles. 

A special form of coverage, any supplemental warranty for tires offered by the manufacturer falls into this category. In most cases, the protection lasts only 30 days. It effectively lets you exercise the proverbial lemon law on your new set of tires. If you get the tires and decide they don’t work for you within the first couple of days, you can get refunded the complete amount or have the price put towards a new set of tires. 

To be viable for return, your tires will be subject to a mileage restriction. Usually, it is in the range of 150 miles. The idea is that if the tires were an issue for the driver, it would become apparent within this amount of time. Often, there is also a caveat in terms of tread on the tires to ensure that you are returning an effectively new tire to the shop. 

This type of coverage is the least common type of tire warranty, mainly because the issue from which it protects is not prevalent. It warrants against problems with the tires relative to the wheels on your vehicle. If you are experiencing vibrations or shakiness while driving, you would be able to return the tires to the manufacturer without being responsible for the cost of replacement. 

Because a concern like this would appear almost immediately, the coverage only extends for 30 days. Additionally, the consumer must inform the shop of the issue while the tread is worn no more than 2/32 of how it was initially. It’s worth noting that uniformity coverage is not a separate warranty; instead, it is a clause covered by the manufacturer’s coverage.

An important facet of tire warranties is the protection against any issues with the tire manufacturing process. It also covers problems resulting from the tire material. Because this would constitute a defect with the product itself — a flaw that would be present regardless of how the driver used the vehicle — it is covered throughout the lifespan. 

To qualify for warranty protection, you must prove that the issue resulted from a product defect. Issues like sidewall cracks or problems with the tread's blocking structure are considered defective tires and are eligible for replacement. 

Usually, the tire coverage will result in prorated costs for the new set of tires. However, there are situations where the manufacturer issue will make itself clear early on. If the tire is submitted for replacement before the tread wears beyond 2/32 of the original, the manufacturer will usually cover the replacement cost. 

While most of the other warranty forms are usually provided through the manufacturer, road hazard protection is often offered through the tire supplier. Tire shops often provide this service as a supplement to your purchase. It covers repairs on tires and makes flat tire assistance more accessible. 

Road hazard coverage varies in price based on both the tire itself and the merchant. Usually, the cost is roughly $15 per tire. Depending on the provider, you can get free tire rotations (for the coverage span). It protects the driver from incurring costs in the event of unforeseen damage to the tires. 

Generally, flat tire coverage like this only extends for a year. Depending on the types of roads you encounter frequently, it is often a worthy investment. If you frequently experience flat tires because your commute takes you through a construction site or industrial area, road hazard coverage makes sense. 

There are a lot of things that we appreciate about tire warranty services. For one, while we know that tires will eventually wear down, it's normal to expect a reasonable amount of performance. Especially if you are driving responsibly and the damage is no fault of your own, having to replace your tires prematurely is a hefty (and unpleasant) cost to experience. Standard warranties cover the cost or prorate your new tires' expense provided the worn tread is evenly spread. 

We also like the fact that warranties for tires protect you against issues with the product. There are few things worse than dropping a few hundred dollars (or more) on tires and finding out they are no good. It would be even worse if you had to pay to replace the part. A manufacturer warranty lets you avoid the hassle and simply return the defective product to the supplier. 

Finally, we appreciate that road hazard tire warranties limit the expense of flat tires. With a small investment (usually less than $20 per tire), the driver can potentially save hundreds in flat tire repairs. Plus, if the tire is beyond fixing, it also helps make the replacement tire more affordable by prorating the new product's price. 

There are a few things that we don’t like about tire warranties: the main issue is the inconvenience of record keeping. Sure, you know when you rotate your tires, but proving it with receipts is a whole different thing. Since, to get the benefits of most tire warranty services, you need to prove that you’ve practiced proper maintenance, it involves a lot of tracking your upkeep. Without those details, you may not be able to access coverage. 

In addition to this requirement, you also get limited to specific mileage and wear threshold. Though most warranties include this caveat, it still places restrictions on the distance you can travel while protected. While the tread threshold makes sense to have, it is inconvenient to have restrictions on the duration of services. After all, what if you weren’t able to drive the car within 30 days? 

The last issue we take with tire warranties is that any supplemental coverage you would pay for is usually accounted for in your other vehicle warranty. Many offer roadside assistance, meaning it wouldn’t make sense to get additional road hazard coverage for your tires. To circumvent this, check any warranties you have to make sure that you aren’t doubling up unnecessarily. 

All vehicles wear down at different paces, and the wear speed on tires differs as well. Some of the most common issues and repair costs relate to the wheels and drivetrain, though these issues can directly impact the performance and wear on your tires. Depending on the tires you are using, the price to repair and replace will vary. Approximate examples include:

Since all tires are slightly different, meaning each manufacturer warranty is experienced uniquely, it’s common to have inquiries on the topic. The key is to do your research and get specifics from the tire manufacturer. So long as you understand the coverage you’re getting, you can be sure it won’t overlap with your other warranty services and get the most value from your tires. 

Unless otherwise stated, you can cancel your warranty and get a prorated refund for the remainder of your warranty. Options like the Zurich extended warranty and the National Auto Care services are good examples of industry-standard practices. 

Customer service depends mainly on the tire shop in question. In most cases, provided you keep track of the warranty and keep your maintenance paperwork in order, a tire warranty offers many benefits. The resulting savings often result in happy customers. 

In short, a tire warranty is never a bad thing to have. Most are offered directly through the manufacturer and come at no extra cost to the consumer—even road hazard protection costs a nominal amount. In terms of risk management, the benefits of flat tire protection outweigh the expense. Overall, tire warranties are good to have and are among the most useful aspects of buying your tires new. 

Here are a few more resources you can use:

Uproar.car will cover your car for less, protecting you against expensive repairs from bumper to bumper. With a focus on customer care and no middleman to complicate repairs and claims, you’ll get easy coverage you can actually use. The plan even pays for itself — Uproar.car’s warranty coverage gives you exclusive access to discounts, auto concierge service, and a 100 percent online claims process. And with clear, upfront price quotes, you’ll know exactly what to expect when it comes to the cost. It should also be noted, however, that this coverage does not extend to some luxury vehicles, cars over 120,000 miles, and cars more than 10 years old.