Best Tire Warranties for Truck, SUV and Car

When you shop for new tires, one of the deciding factors that many shoppers consider is the manufacturer's warranty. On average, tire warranties range from 30,000 up to 90,000 miles, and they're limited (we'll explain that in a moment). Generally speaking, 80,000-mile limited warranties are about the best you'll find. Only some highway tires come with 100,000 mile warranties.

So, do you get your money back if your tire has an 80,000-mile warranty and only lasts 60,000 miles? The short answer is no. It's more complicated than you might think. We'll explain what tire warranties mean and give examples of tires with the best warranty options.

What Does a Tire Warranty Cover?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, you should consider replacing tires after six years, even if they're within the mileage warranty. That's because more factors can cause tires to degrade than just time.

Beyond the life of a tire, you should look for how much tread remains. The rule of thumb regarding tire tread is that it must be at least 2/32 of an inch for safe driving. Tap or click here for our guide to DIY tire tread tests. If your tread dips below that, you could be in trouble.

That's where a tread-life warranty comes into play. This is the most common type of warranty when thinking about tires. The manufacturer sets a tread-life warranty for each model when you purchase tires.

For example, you might buy a tire with an 80,000-mile warranty. As we mentioned earlier, that doesn't mean you'll get a full refund if the tire doesn't last for 80,000 miles.

How tire warranties work (typically)

Here's how it works. Let's say your tire needs to be replaced at 60,000 miles. That's 20,000 miles less than the warranty states, which means it lasted 75% of the warranty life. So, you may receive 25% toward purchasing a replacement tire of equal quality. 

Even then, you might not qualify for the discount. Many factors are in play. Manufacturers expect  According to Consumer Reports, there are some fine print details to know, including:

• You must have the original receipt from when you bought the tires, including your vehicle's odometer reading at the time of purchase.
• You also must be the original purchaser. Tire warranties generally don't transfer when you sell or buy a used car. 
• The tire's wear must be even across the tread. If your tires were misaligned or over or underinflated, so the wear isn't uniform, your warranty may be voided.
• You must show proof that your tires were rotated following manufacturer guidelines.

Those are just some things you might find in your tire's tread-life warranty fine print. But be sure to speak with a tire pro to learn your options.

Types of Tire Warranties

You might hear about other tire warranties like road hazard or workmanship and materials warranties. Let's touch on those briefly.

Road hazard protection

When a tire fails due to a puncture, bruising, or impact sustained while traveling on well-maintained roadways, this is referred to as road hazard damage. The most frequent road hazards include potholes, glass, and nails.

Some tire manufacturers include road hazard protection for free. This might only apply to specific tire models and lasts for a certain amount of time. A common coverage period lasts up to 12 months or 12,000 miles. Also, only the first 2/32 of an inch of treadwear is usually covered.

Road hazard insurance

You might also be able to get road hazard insurance from the retailer you purchase tires from. You can get protection that covers part or all of the cost of a replacement tire for a small fee. Some retailers offer road hazard protection that lasts up to 24 months. Some big box stores may even provide protection for up to five years. Learn about Tire Agent's warranty policies.

Is buying tire insurance or road hazard protection worth it? To answer the question, compare the cost of the extra protection with the cost to patch a tire if it gets punctured by a foreign object. If you drive a lot and your roads are rough or filled with potholes and foreign objects, then the extra coverage might be worth it. Otherwise? The manufacturer warranty should suffice.

Workmanship and materials warranties

This type of warranty protects your tires from manufacturing or material flaws. The majority of manufacturers provide this protection throughout the life of the tire.

Extended warranties

Vehicle warranties don't cover tires. Tires have separate warranties, which come from the tire manufacturers. 

Are Tires Covered When You Buy a New Car?

You might wonder if your tires are covered by the extended warranty you bought with your new vehicle. The answer, in most cases, is no. The tires on your new car are under warranty, but it comes from the tire manufacturer. A manual should come with your vehicle explaining the tire warranty situation.

All this warranty talk might have you wondering if you should buy tires based on the warranty. The answer is no. There are more critical factors to look for, like fuel efficiency, UTQG ratings, tires that offer quiet rides, models built to be aggressive, and of course, price.

Best Tire Manufacturer Warranties

With that said, don't disregard tire warranties altogether. They give you a good idea of manufacturers' confidence levels in each model. So let's look at 12 of the best tire manufacturer warranties (in no particular order).

1. Nokian Tyres One

This all-season tire from Scandinavian tire maker Nokian boasts an 80,000-mile limited warranty, as well as pothole protection and road hazard protection, in addition to their fuel-efficient construction. Shop Nokian Tyres One all-season tires, starting at $196.* 

2. Falken Sincera SN250 A/S

This model from Falken offers all-season performance and ride comfort along with an 80,000-mile limited warranty. The Sincera SN250 is priced starting under $100.

3. Yokohama AVID Ascend LX

The AVID Ascend LX from Yokohama is built to provide exceptional fuel efficiency and grip and delivers a quiet ride with long-term reliability. It comes with an 85,000-mile limited warranty and prices start at $126.

4. Michelin Defender T + H

The long-lasting Defender T + H tire from Michelin provides all-season safety with a quiet, comfortable ride. It boasts an 80,000-mile limited warranty, with prices starting at under $145.

5. Goodyear Assurance MaxLife

Goodyear's Assurance MaxLife tire offers all-season reliability, an 85,000-mile limited warranty and prices starting at $138.

6. Continental CrossContact LX20

This fuel-efficient, all-season tire from Continental is built for SUVs and light trucks. The CrossContact LX20 comes with a 70,000-mile limited warranty plus road hazard and roadside assistance. Prices start at $185.

7. Pirelli P4 Four Seasons Plus

There are a few Pirelli P4 Four Seasons Plus models to choose from. They all have limited warranties that last up to 90,000 miles, depending on which model you buy. Prices start at $111. 

8. Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza PLUS

Bridgestone Dueler H/L Alenza PLUS tires are built for SUVs and light trucks. They offer a quiet and comfortable ride and come with an 80,000-mile limited warranty, with prices starting at $233.

9. Kumho Solus TA11

Solus TA11 tires from Kumho are fuel efficient and come with a 75,000-mile limited warranty and road hazard protection. Prices start at $85.

10. Nexen Aria AH7

Nexen's Aria AH7 tire offers roadside assistance for 36 months. It also comes with road hazard protection and an 80,000-mile limited warranty, with prices starting at $111. 

11. Hankook Kinergy PT H737

Hankook tires are known to offer one of the best treadwear mileage warranties in the business. Its Kinergy PT H737 model has an amazing 90,000-mile limited warranty, starting under $120.

12. Multi-Mile Supreme Tour LSX

Want a quiet, comfortable ride with outstanding high-speed stability? Look no further than the Multi-Mile Supreme Tour LSX. It offers 24-hour tire roadside assistance and an impressive 85,000-mile limited warranty, with prices starting under $140.

*Tire prices are subject to change.

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