Don't Get Rolled By Tire Warranties

New tires for your vehicle are a big investment and you want them to last as long as possible. You also want the manufacturer's warranty to pay off if they don't last as long as guaranteed.

But as many consumers have realized over the years, tire warranties don't always pay off.

“Costco falsely claimed that they couldn't honor their road hazard warranty due to alignment issues,” Tom, of San Francisco, told ConsumerAffairs.com. “I had a tire fail due to contact with construction debris that fell on the highway in front of me. Half the tread remained in the central three grooves, but Costco claimed that because the shoulders of the tire were worn down that indicates they were not responsible. They said that uneven wear disqualifies the warranty.

While arguing about this, they squarely placed blame on my tire aligner and said that I need to get another alignment.”

Voiding claims

Tom may not be happy about it, but automotive site Edmunds.com says tire manufacturers often void a warranty based on their judgment of how the consumer has maintained the tire.

"Tire warranties may seem like too much to keep track of, but if you take a few basic precautions, you'll not only reduce the chances of a tire wearing out prematurely, but also be fully prepared for a claim," said Ron Montoya, consumer advice associate with Edmunds.com. "If the tire manufacturer does not see proof that the tires were inflated, rotated and aligned properly, chances are your warranty claim will be denied."

How to make sure a manufacturer doesn't find a loophole when your tire fails during the warranty period? Consumers have to be aware of their tires, just like they are of other parts of the vehicle.

Maintenance tips

That means keeping tires inflated to the recommended tire pressure. Rotate the tires every 5,000 miles, or whenever the manufacturer recommends it -- but only if the manufacturer recommends it. Most important, keep a record of all tire maintenance.

In addition, Edmunds suggests inspecting tires periodically, looking for any bumps or inconsistent wear patterns.

Besides faulty maintenance, there are other reasons that a manufacturer might void a warranty. Vandalism, racing, off-roading and damage from snow chains are some examples of such warranty killers.

Most tiremakers have determined that the usable life of a tire is either six years from the date of purchase or when there's just 2/32nds of an inch of tread left. A simple way to determine this short length is the "penny method," which instructs car owners to put a penny in the groove of the tire, upside down and with Lincoln's head facing out. The distance from the top of Lincoln's head to the edge of the coin is about 2/32nds of an inch. So, if the top of Lincoln's head is showing, the tire needs to be replaced.