You bought a new car and want to know if your tires are covered under warranty. Otherwise, you are looking to buy a new car and would like to know what could be covered under warranty. There are a few different possibilities that we will discuss in this post. We will also provide information on claiming a warranty or what to look for when purchasing a new car. Keep reading to learn more.
New car tires are typically given a 36,000-mile warranty from the tire manufacturer. This warranty only covers manufacturer defects. They will not cover normal wear and tear or road hazards that lead to tire damage. You will have to prove that your tires were properly inflated and rotated according to the manufacturer's guidelines.
Now that you know the typical tire warranty offered with new car purchases, you probably want to know how to file a claim. You may also want to know what kinds of warranties are available for tires. This post will also discuss important tire questions, including how long you expect your tires to last, so be sure to keep reading.
Do Tires On A New Car Typically Have A Warranty?
Tires on a new car typically have a manufacturer's warranty against defects. This warranty usually lasts for 36,000 miles. This warranty is provided by the tire manufacturer and does not cover road hazards or normal wear and tear.
This is the standard warranty provided with the car's purchase, but further coverage can usually be purchased through the dealership.
Do Used Car Dealerships Have A Tire Warranty?
When you buy a used car from the dealership, it is new to you. Used car dealerships don't usually provide any warranty coverage for tires. The standard warranty offered by used car dealerships is typically a limited warranty. These warranties will only cover defects to the materials or parts of the car.
The limited warranty does not cover items that wear over time, such as brakes and tires. These limited warranties may only last for two or three months, so they are not very comprehensive in coverage.
Is A Tire Bubble Covered Under Warranty?
Tire bubbles will be covered under warranty if it is found to be a manufacturing defect. However, tire bubbles are caused by road hazards, curb impacts, and improper maintenance under most circumstances. W
hen you file a warranty claim to the manufacturer, they will ask for proof that the tires were properly inflated and rotated according to schedule. If you are unable to provide these details, the manufacturer will assume improper maintenance or an impact caused the bubble to occur.
Is A Nail In The Tire Covered Under Warranty?
The standard manufacturer warranties only cover tire defects. A nail in the tire is considered a road hazard and part of your liability for driving the car. To have road hazard damage to your tires insured, you must purchase an additional car warranty plan. Third-party insurance agencies usually provide these plans. You should consider how likely it is for you to need road hazard insurance.
Are there large amounts of debris or potholes on the roads that you regularly drive? If that is the case, you may decide that a tire tread warranty is useful to protect you in case of a blown tire.
How Long Should New Car Tires Last?
Tires on a new car should last up to 50,000 miles under normal driving conditions. Many factors can help you get more mileage out of your tires or factors that can cause your tires to wear more quickly. All of the factors that play a role are tire type, tread rating, your car's drivetrain, road conditions or terrain, and driving style.
Nitrogen-inflated tires have a longer lifespan, which is why some people prefer using nitrogen tires. There are some pros and cons to using nitrogen in your tires, including cost and availability. For more information about this topic, check out this post: Nitrogen In Tires: Pros And Cons.
Why Do New Car Tires Wear Out So Fast?
New-car tires are designed by the carmaker rather than a tire manufacturer. These tires are designed to be softer, which makes the car drive more smoothly. Despite the smooth ride, softer tires wear out quickly and can't be replaced. The car manufacturer wants to provide the potential buyer with the smoothest ride possible so the dealerships can sell more cars.
The car manufacturer typically recommends lower air pressure in the tires for this reason. Still, the tire manufacturers recommend the tire pressure to be up to 10 pounds higher for the tire's longevity.
How To Make Car Tires Last Longer?
Some of the things you can do to prolong the life of your tires are the things you need to do for the manufacturer to accept your claim.
Keep the car at the recommended tire pressure. Most passenger cars should have a psi of 32 to 35 when the tires are cold, according to Cars.com. You should check this tire pressure after the car has been resting because the tire pressure increases as the tires heat up.
Tire manufacturers will also require that you get the tires rotated according to the manufacturer's guidelines. Most manufacturers have a guideline of six to eight thousand miles, but some may go as high as ten thousand miles for when you rotate the tires. This allows the tires to wear more evenly and will increase the lifespan of the tires.
Click here to see this air compressor portable tire inflator on Amazon.
Does Driving Style Affect Tire Wear?
Driving too fast around corners can wear out the tires more quickly. Increased friction from hard braking and speeding up too quickly from a complete stop will cause the tires to wear out faster, too.
Avoid road hazards such as potholes to prevent added stress to your tires. Check regularly to make sure your wheels are aligned correctly because that can cause the edges of the tread to wear out excessively.
How Do I Know When To Get New Tires?
Tires should be replaced if there is any bubble, cut, or damage. The depth of the tread determines when your tires should be changed.
Tire manufacturers and dealers have a guideline that is split into three categories. 1.66 mm to three mm of depth is considered legal but should be replaced. When the depth is three to six mm, then they are considered okay. When you are on the low end of that range, you should start thinking about getting them changed, according to Goodyear.
You can also test your tire tread by using a penny. Place the thin side of the penny inside the tread of the tire. If any part of Lincoln's head is covered, then the tread is okay. If you can see the full Lincoln head on the penny, then it is time to change your tire(s).
For more information about the dangers of driving on bald tires, check out this post: Here's Why Driving with Bald Tires Can Kill You.
Can I Fix A Damaged Tire?
You can fix a tire that a nail or other object has punctured. This requires a tire repair kit and maintaining the proper air pressure following the repair.
Check out this post for a detailed conversation about this topic and the steps to repair your tire: Can You Fix A Tire With A Nail In It? [And How To].
Click here to see this tire repair kit on Amazon.
Are Tire Warranties Worth The Money?
Tires cost between $100 and $200 per tire. Unless you live in an area that has many potential road hazards and potholes, then you are unlikely to file a claim on your tire warranty. You are better off saving the money in your account, so it is available when you need to replace your tires.
In Closing
A typical new car will provide a 36,000-mile warranty against manufacturer defects. This is provided through the tire manufacturer, although they may require documentation to prove that you rotated the tires within the recommended guidelines and kept the tires at the proper air pressure. Tire warranties can be purchased to protect you against road hazards but are not worth the money for most people under most circumstances.
