I can already hear you saying to me that a warranty is a simple thing to understand! All you have to do is contact the manufacturer, who, after a more or less lengthy evaluation, decides whether or not to offer a replacement product. Are tire warranties really that different? Do they really deserve an article of their own? Well, dear skeptical reader, yes! Not only can their coverage vary greatly from one model to another, but there are also several types of warranty that may or may not apply to your tires. With so many possibilities, a quick guide is sure to come in handy!
The tread
When we talk about the warranty offered by a tire manufacturer, we generally mean the warranty offered on the tread. Usually, these warranties are limited by the mileage of the tire, often between 70,000km and 90,000km. Almost all tire manufacturers offer this type of warranty on the vast majority of their models. Winter tires, or tires for particularly demanding vehicles, usually have a shorter warranty, or no warranty at all. You can therefore get a general idea of the rate of wear envisaged by the manufacturer. If the tire degrades faster than the warranty claims, the manufacturer may offer a repair or replacement product.
Road hazards
We also often hear about the “road hazards” warranty. This warranty is very different from the tread warranty as it's actually the tire dealer who offers this protection against, for example, accidental punctures. As a quick sample, you can read about BlackCircles.ca's warranty here. I strongly recommend that you read all the details on this kind of warranty before buying your tires. While many protection plans may be worthwhile, others offer very little for their price... It's also worth noting that some manufacturers offer their own version of this warranty, but this is a rare occurrence.
Manufacturing defects
Finally, a virtually unlimited warranty! Throughout the life of your tire, if a manufacturing defect is found, you can obtain a replacement or repair free of charge. As with the tread warranty, virtually all tire manufacturers cover manufacturing defects. However, I urge you to find out before contacting them...
The risks
For most people, warranties work pretty well and offer a sense of confidence when buying tires. However, if you're one of those people who don't take good care of their tires, you should be aware that your claim may be denied! In fact, if the manufacturer deems that you have not properly maintained your tires, it reserves the right to refuse any claim. Make sure you take good care of them to avoid trouble!
