Is this tire warranty worth it?

[Sonic dB]

I had new Yokos installed on my Porsche yesterday (love them).

The tire place charged me an extra $60 for a free-fix-replacement on each tire. ($15 per tire x 4). If there is a puncture caused by a road hazard, they will fix the tire or replace for up to 3 years.

The shop asked me if I wanted this up front...I said yes, but am having second thoughts and may ask for a refund on this.

Do you guys think that this type of warranty is needed? Will I ever possibly use it?

I dont know... a new Yoko costs about $100, and patching is much less. Im trying to be better with my money lately and hate to give the tire place an extra $60 that I may never use.

[cab83_750]

This is kinda of a tought one. I would say that it depends on the type of roads/environment you drive/live in. For example, I have punctured 2 tires curving canyons and would have welcomed the extra cost (until I found stopped driving/riding after rainy days---less rocks around).

In general, I do not buy the extra insurance on tires and on everything from TV, cameras, washer and dryer, etc. I believe that 'Consumer Reports' may have stated that these insurance are rip-offs and are not really needed.

Better yet, net time, buy your tires at Costco.

[Sonic dB]

Why Costco? I looked at their prices and they were higher than where I purchased from.

I agree with you on the warranty...I think Im gonna get my money back on this one.

[Eugene at Pelican Parts]

The first time I bought tires I got the warranty. I did manage to use it once after snagging an unfixable leak in the sidewall. However, the fine print of the agreement states that you will have to pay for the amount of the tire you used thus far. The tread depth of the damaged tire is measured and you pay for the corresponding percentage of the new 'free replacement' tire's value. Understandable, but is it worth the $15? I guess it depends on the value of the tire, and whether or not you ever break the sidewall.

[ruf-porsche]

What is the normal warranty on the tire? Is the three years in addition to the standard tire warranty or once you leave the door?

Since the warranty is only for road hazard I would just skip the extra warranty. By the time three years are up you could be replacing the tire anyway.

[azasadny]

I bought the road hazard warranty on my Dunlop Sport 9000s last year and I've had to replace two tires so far (unrepairable damage from nails, metal in roadway). The tires were $169 each, so the additional $20 per tire isn't too bad (for me). I don't like the thought of patching a Z-rated tire, so the warranty suited me because it replaces the tire if the damage is deemed "unrepairable" and the manager of the local tire shop agrees with my definition of "unrepairable"... Just my .02 worth...

[singpilot]

I have one tire (right rear on the 911) that has been patched 2 times. Cannot be patched again. I seem to pick up bolts and nails a lot on the I-15 drive or somewhere between the beach and the valley. The patches were free (Discount Tire Warehouse, Kumho 712 Ecstas), but if it happens again, I'll have to replace the tire out of pocket.

I had a Michelin Sport pick up a nail in the sidewall (not covered by warranty) and as I rememebr it was $270+ to replace. Was in the early days of low profile. I usually do not buy the extra warranty on anything, but I think tires might change my mind.

I think you got a good deal on the warranty, I'd keep it.

[Joeaksa]

I got the extra warranty on a set of tires for my 911 from Discount Tire. One year down the road my car was side swiped by a semi (do not ask) and shredded the sidewall of the RR tire.

I had forgotten about the warranty or never dreamed it would cover this. Took it into the shop and they plugged it into the computer.

Came back in 5 minutes with "we are sorry that we do not have any of these tires in stock now. Can you please come back tomorrow?"

I came back the next day, paid $15 to cover the tread that had been used up and walked out with a brand new $160 tire. It was worth it to me, in this case. Have also had another tire ruined by a nail and a metal screw, both in the sidewall. Both covered by the extended warranty.

It just depends on the road conditions where you live... for me its worth it!

JoeA

[Kevin Stewart]

yes buy it, I bought the warranty two days later three states away, my wife had an unrepairable flat, i bought a new tire and was reinburst for the blown tire, this was many years ago, with cars these days have extra small sidewalls simply hiting a curb or small hole can cause a sidewall break which looks like a bubble, this tire is unrepairable, I deal with tires and wheels now and i see cars daily running around on tires that have bubles on the side wall, recently a car passed me on the free way about 80mph, we both exited and came to a light, I seen what was the biggest bulge in a side wall I had ever seen, I know the guy knew it was there but didnt care, imagine that sidewall blowing out at 80 with your children in the car, Kevin

[Sonic dB]

Good stories fellas. Now I am reconsidering.

Its not the $60 that bothers me, as much as whether the agreement is good.

The Tires are from Discount Tire / Americas Tire Co. If they have a history of honoring such warranty, then I should keep it.

[Joeaksa]

Discount tire sure won me over. It does not hurt that they will check anyone's tire pressure, on any tires, by their just driving in the shop. Its free, for anyone.

I used to buy tires from other discounters but when the price of mounting and balancing is added on, Discount tire is usually right in the ballpark. The other issue is that they are almost everywhere and if you are on a road trip and need a replacement its not a problem.

Up to you but for me its been well worth it.

JoeA

[Sonic dB]

True. They did a great job in ordering the hard to find Yokos for the rears... and installed them in less than an hour.

Overall, the price was less than if I had gone with tirerack.com, and had them installed locally. Also, tirerack.com was backordered and the guy had no idea when they would get them in from Yoko.

This is not to criticize tirerack.com...but they couldnt measure up in my situation.

Im keeping the warranty. Thanks guys.

[ruf-porsche]

Originally posted by azasadny
I don't like the thought of patching a Z-rated tire, so the warranty suited me because it replaces the tire if the damage is deemed "unrepairable" and the manager of the local tire shop agrees with my definition of "unrepairable"... Just my .02 worth...

Unless the tire is demounted and a patch place on the inside of the tire, just pluging the puncture with a rubber plug is unadvisable for a z rated tire. A few tire shop in my area refuse to just plug a puncture because of the potential liability if the plug should blow out at high speed.

[HarryD]

Personally, I would not buy it. Tire holes can be patched for something between $0-10 each around me. As far as the road hazard stuff, I can count on one of Mickey Mouse's hands (and still have a finger left over) the number of times it would have helped in the past thirty years.

[3.2 CAB]

I am glad to be able to get the hazard coverage. Maybe just more crap on roads here, but have had to have 3 tires replaced in last 4 years. Glad to have paid the price. I could not get a YOK here to replace one the bit the dust, D.T. in Hou. shipped one ups overnite, paid $23.00 including shp.

[Kevin Stewart]

Ok guys you have had your say, here is what you need to know, no sidewall is repairable period, If you plug a tire it lowers the speed rating down one, tires are considered un safe after one repair, that is why I want a warranty, one repair the belt has moved a little with two repairs alot, so lets just ask it this way you have been out with a flusey how many repairs do you want on your rubber, I may think about one but no way two, (wow taking a chance with a hole, you know the wife will find out) so if you guys are on the road with your z rated tires that have several plugs in them doing high speeds let me know what road your on so i can avoid you, Kevin

[Sonic dB]

At my PPI, they took a big nail out of one of the rears on my old tires...and plugged it. The tire was getting significantly worn and needed to be replaced anyway. I drove it around for 10 months with the plug in it. Had I known it was a potential issue at high speed, I would have gotten the new tires earlier.

That tire was pluged with a "rawhide" type material string which the mechanic dipped into some kind of liquid and then stuffed it into the hole.

[Kevin Stewart]

you are ok with one plug, remeber a speed rating of s thats up to 112 mph, decrease it by a rating and there isnt an actual lower rating, but on the average it will be say 80mph two plugs 60mph, (remember these figures are off just throwing numbers up, ) if you dont believe me do a aol or other search on tire repairs, it is actualy unsafe to plug a tire with out taking a tire off the wheel and using a plug that also has a patch at the end,, the problem is the tire may have been run low on air which will destroy the inside side wall and this can not be side with a tire mounted, Kevin

[3.2 CAB]

Plugs can lead to seperation problems. Sometimes the tire places will try to convince you that it is "just as good as a patch" that is BS! They just don't want to break the tire down to fix it correctly with a patch on the inside. Anytime they can get away with one of the stick it in from the outside plugs, regardless of the type, they really do profit $ from it. I don't run any tires with plugs of any kind in them.

[singpilot]

That is the usual 'plug' repair. With a patch over the abraded, cleaned up interior, should be OK. Problem is, the flexing of the cords saws the plug (is why it is not rubber anymore), and sooner or later you are back where you began.

I have had tires bought in Nevada repaired in Texas and California by Discount Tire / Americas Tire. There are some funny crossovers (like where there is a dealer 'in brand' close by. My Discount Tire was asked to go to a Discount Tire place 2 miles away by a Americas Tire guy. My Discount Tire was gladly repaired and rebalanced by an Americas' Tire guy in Tuscon where there wasn't a Discount Tire guy close by.

Cannot say enough good about them.

One of my MB tires would not take a balance twice in a row. They replaced it as 'unrepairable. It only had 2K on it, so it didn't hurt to get only one of them.

They can even pull your account if you don't have the paperwork.

Keep the warranty.