Tires help your car move stop and steer, there are different tires designed to handle different seasons and uses. Some are rigid enough to sustain high load carrying capacity while some are soft and flexible for a more comfortable ride. Let’s learn ‘Rim and Tire Warranty’.
Rims are the inner construction circular metal plates on which the rubber tires are supported. They are usually made of metal alloys. Tires are made of synthetic rubber compounds. Both of these components deteriorate in quality over time, and having a warranty may help you save money when damages occur.
What to Know about Tires?
You can find information about the tires on your vehicle by checking on the side of the tires. There is usually information on the size, type, and performance of the tire indicated there. They may seem like just numbers and letters but they all stand for a feature about the tire
There is usually a code written in this format. P200/75R 16 82 S. In this particular case:
- P200- Passenger tire of 200mm width
- 75R- Aspect ratio of 75%, Radial construction
- 16- Diameter is 16
- 82- Load rating
- S- Speed rating
Tire Warranties
Manufacturers offer different types of tire warranties. They also offer different payment plans to accommodate the vast pool of car users in the market.
Tread Life Warranty
These kinds of warranties usually offer coverage for about 5 years to ensure that they cover you through the useful life of your tires. Some dealers like Global Warranty choose to cover their clients according to milage, they offer covers of up to 62,000 miles. Michelin Tires Covers up to 80,000 miles.
Test drive Warranties
Some manufacturers allow clients to use their tires for a specified trial period before committing to keeping them. If the client is not keen on keeping the tires, they are allowed to return them in exchange for a new set.
Workmanship Warranty
The manufacturer replaces your tires with a new set if a manufacturing defect is experienced. They usually set parameters as to what extent of damage they deem replaceable free of charge. If the degree of damage is below the set allowable parameters, then the manufacturer will have to prorate according to the expected useful life of the tire.
Road Hazard Warranty
Under this warranty, the manufacturer is obligated to repair or replace tires that have experienced cosmetic and integral damage from bad road surface conditions such as potholes and debris. This warranty is sometimes limited to a specified period beyond which it is no longer valid.
Voiding Your Tire Warranty
It is important to be well versed in the requirements demanded by your manufacturer so that you don’t void your warranty. There are some basic practices that you can habitually do to remain in good standing with your manufacturer. These are:
- Check tire pressure regularly and ensure the tires are inflated within the required limits, not more and not less.
- Rotate your tires regularly to avoid irregular wear.
- Switch between winter tires and offroad tires as required by the manufacturer. Improper use of tires will void your warranty.
- Keep a record of all your maintenance receipts and schedule as proof of your compliance.
- Most importantly, keep the original receipt as proof of purchase. You cannot file a claim without it.
Rim Warranty
Rim warranties are usually issued depending on the material used in their construction and the purpose they are intended to be used for.
Alloy Rims Warranty
Most vehicles have aluminum alloy rims on their wheels and thus this is the most common type of rim warranty. Some companies such as Industry Nine offer a 2-year aluminum alloy rim warranty.
Carbon Rim Warranty
Carbon is much harder compared to aluminum alloy rims and for this reason, you will find a lot of companies offering a lifetime warranty for their carbon rims with the exclusion of the bearings which are moving parts and as such are prone to wear over time.
Racing Rim Warranties
Due to the abuse that racing wheels face on the race track, most companies like D.I.D only cover manufacturer defects and poor workmanship. They opt to leave out crash damage and wear and tear from their warranty cover.
Stem Warranties
Valve stems are the part of the rim that admits air into the chamber that inflates the wheel. These warranties are most common among bicycle and motorcycle owners since they are more predisposed to failures of these compartments.
Voiding Your Rim Warranty
Some factors may cause a manufacturer to reject a warranty claim. These include:
- Modification of the rim from its original build.
- Improper installation of the rim or modification of axles.
- Use of chemicals or stripping solvents to alter the rim finish.
- Overloading and improper use of wheels.
To avoid voiding your rim warranty, you should make a point of buying them directly from the manufacturers since most of them do not support third-party purchases. Proper maintenance is also important and annual check-ups by a trusted dealer will go a long way in achieving this.
Conclusion
Rim and tire warranties are considered to be useless by many people. But if properly understood and used, they can be very convenient and efficient. However, it is important to note that dealers are not always forthcoming and it may take a squabble to get your claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there warranties for winter and offroad tires?
Some manufacturers like Michelin Tires do offer warranties for special tires and season tires.
Are rim and tire warranties worth the trouble?
In a perfect world, they would be a must-have for most drivers, but with the tug of war that exists between those for it and against it, it comes down to opinion and past experiences.
Aren’t the tires covered by car Insurance?
Standard automobile insurance does not cover things like punctures and tire wear and tear. This is why a driver may prefer going a step further to acquire tire and wheel protection.
