Tire Warranties are an important part of buying tires. Keep the following points in mind when comparing warranties.

Tire Manufacturer’s Warranty - Because tires are subjected to a variety of conditions and temperatures, manufacturers back them with limited warranties covering conditions that can reasonably be considered to have been under the tire manufacturers’ control, (e.g., quality of materials or workmanship).

Manufacturers also specify the duration of their warranty, such as an effective period of 4 to 6 years from the date of purchase or until the tread wears out, whichever occurs first. For new vehicle purchases, the tire warranty begins when the vehicle is purchased; for replacement tires, it begins when the tire is purchased.

Treadlife (Mileage) Warranty - When available, treadlife warranties specify an amount of mileage that you should expect to get from a tire under normal driving conditions and as long as you take care of the tires according to the manufacturer’s or tire dealer’s recommendation – keep the wheels aligned, tires properly inflated and rotated, etc.

Treadlife warranties typically do not apply to OE tires on new vehicles because the car dealership did not buy this protection from the tire manufacturer. For replacement tires, when a Treadlife warranty is available its cost is factored into the cost of the tire. Treadlife warranties typically apply only to the original vehicle and buyer of the tires.

Road Hazard Warranty - Manufacturers do not offer Road Hazard warranty for tires; however, tire dealers may offer a Tire Road Hazard “insurance” which provides for 100% replacement within a specified time and tread wear (e.g., 1yr and no more than 5/32 of wear). Afterwards, repairs are prorated. Check all warranties for exclusions, limitations, expectations, and transferability.