UNDERSTANDING YOUR TIRE WARRANTY
Make sure you know what your warranty has to offer.
THE VALUE OF TIRE WARRANTIES
Investing in quality tires is part of the deal when you own a vehicle. Choosing tires that come with a warranty means that if anything unexpected goes wrong with the tires due to a manufacturing flaw, there’s an insurance policy in place to help cover expenses.
Bridgestone and Firestone warranted tires come with one of the industry’s best tire warranties, but not all warranties offer the same guarantees, and eligibility will depend on a number of factors. That’s why it’s important to read and understand your tire warranty. Here we explain how caring for your tires can help you maintain your tire warranty eligibility and peace of mind.
HOW DO TIRE WARRANTIES WORK?
Many people mistake warranties for “money-back guarantees.” Even though the two words sound similar, they’re not synonymous. Typically, tire warranties protect your investment by allowing you to collect a prorated credit (or trade for a new, identical item at a fraction of the retail price) if one of the covered items becomes unusable for any reason within the manufacturer’s control.
Unlike warranties on appliances and electronics, tire warranties aren’t only measured in months or years. They're also measured in tread-life—the manufacturer’s estimate on how many miles your tires’ tread is built to withstand with regular use and maintenance.
However, just because you only drive 5,000 miles a year doesn’t mean your 80,000-mile limited mileage warranty will last 16 years. The eligibility of tire warranties also depends on when the tire was manufactured and installed. This means that purchasing past-model tires or driving relatively short distances won’t necessarily extend your warranty’s duration.
WHAT DOES WARRANTY ELIGIBILITY MEAN?
Tire warranties protect your tires if they fail for reasons under the manufacturer’s control, as specified in the warranty manual. Tire warranties do not “insure” your tires from damages that occur due to user error, poor maintenance, and road hazard or contamination-related damage. That means a tire warranty is most useful when tire damage occurs due to a manufacturing flaw that could not have been avoided by the vehicle owner.
Your warranty eligibility is essentially your “right” to use the limited warranty if something goes wrong with the protected tire. Many motorists unintentionally void this right by misusing their tires or not servicing them properly. To preserve your tires’ and limited warranty eligibility, you should always prioritize proper tire care and maintenance.
TIRE CARE TIPS FOR WARRANTY ELIGIBILITY
As mentioned, tire warranties won’t help with damage stemming from reasons outside the manufacturer’s control, which means you should do everything in your control to ensure premature damage and wear don’t happen.
Here are a few tips to help you care for your tires (and your warranty eligibility). Make sure to check the warranty manual and accompanying Tire Maintenance and Safety Manual to get all the specifics.
Check and adjust your tire pressure to proper inflation levels monthly.
Get your tires professionally rotated at regular intervals as prescribed by your vehicle owner’s manual and tire warranty manual.
Schedule regular inspections of the suspension system and wheel balance to reduce the risk of other vehicle components causing tire wear and decreased tread life.
Get expert repairs on any worn components, misaligned elements, or imbalanced conditions promptly.
Track repair information, receipts, driving conditions, and mileage using an app, spreadsheet, or similar record-keeping system.
Practice safe driving habits and avoid dangerous conditions or aggressive maneuvering as much as possible.
Although preserving your tire warranty eligibility may seem like a lot of work, remember—the required services and repairs are all meant to protect your tires. And protecting your tires ultimately helps protect you, your car, and your passengers, too!
WHAT DOES A TIRE WARRANTY COVER?
There are a few common types of warranties that most tire manufacturers offer on their tires. The eligibility details can vary, so it’s important to read the fine print. Here are some of the warranties you can expect:
TIRE MILEAGE WARRANTY
Generally covering tires for 4-6 years from the purchase date, a tire mileage warranty guarantees that you’ll get a specific number of miles of use out of your tires before the tread wears out. If they wear out in fewer miles, you may be eligible for a prorated refund for the difference. To get this refund, the tire has to have worn evenly and you’ll need to provide service records for regular tire rotations.
LIMITED ROAD HAZARD WARRANTY
A limited road hazard warranty covers you for the first year after purchase if your tire is irreparably damaged by a pothole or other road hazard. If the tire can be repaired, the warranty won’t cover it. If you buy your tires at Firestone Complete Auto Care, this warranty doesn’t automatically come with your tires, but it can be added if you choose.
WORKMANSHIP AND MATERIALS WARRANTY
Covering 5-6 years after purchase, a workmanship and materials warranty covers issues that come from the manufacturing process or materials used. To be eligible, the tire damage can’t be caused by lack of maintenance or another issue with the vehicle.
UNIFORMITY WARRANTY
In rare cases, a manufacturer will cover a tire that has excessive vibration issues even after it has been confirmed that it was installed correctly. The issue has to have started almost immediately after installation to be covered.
HOW DO I CHECK MY TIRE WARRANTY?
If you’re not sure whether your new tires “came with” a warranty, check the paperwork you received with your receipt for extra information. Warranties can vary depending on where, how, and under what circumstances you acquired your tires. How you maintain your tires after purchase is the main predictor of whether your warranty is still valid, so make sure to follow the tips above.
If you purchased your tires through an authorized Bridgestone or Firestone tire retailer, there’s a good chance you have one of our competetive warranties. Keep your warranty manual in a safe place or read more about them online.
PROFESSIONAL TIRE CARE AND REPAIRS NEAR YOU
It’s always best not to leave anything to chance when it comes to caring for your tires and their warranty eligibility. Avoid surprise tire damage and keep up with tire maintenance by scheduling regular service appointments at a Firestone Complete Auto Care near you.
And next time you need new tires, visit our experienced technicians for help finding the right set for your car! You’ll drive off with a new set of tires paired with a competitive warranty and, depending on the brand and model you choose, you may even get our best-in-class 90-Day Buy and Try Guarantee.♰
♰Certain limitations and restrictions apply. See warranty manual for details.