Yahoo Finance Treadwear Warranty Extended on Nokian All-Season Tire
Last fall we introduced tread life mileages of 47 car tires from our 16,000-miles test driven over public roads in West Texas. The evaluation found almost half of the all-season and performance all-season tires could last at least 65,000 miles. Of those, a half dozen could top 85,000 miles or more, but the Nokian eNTYRE 2.0 achieved just a 35,000-mile wear projection. Since then, Nokian enhanced the treadwear warranty.
Your Treadwear May Vary
Of course, mileage to wear-out can vary based on many factors, including how hard you drive, what vehicle the tires are on, and road conditions, to name a few. But the eNTYRE 2.0 fell short of its 80,000-mile warranty by a wide margin. That’s too bad, because despite the treadwear shortfall, the eNTYRE 2.0 managed to place a respectable sixth overall among 16 performance all-season tires (H-Rated). The tire is credited with very good dry and wet braking and handling, excellent hydroplaning resistance, good snow traction, and a comfortable, quiet ride. But treadwear matters, as that addresses the cost associated with replacement.
Nokian is addressing that potential cost disparity with a supplemental treadwear warranty on eNTYRE 2.0 tires sold since October 1, 2015.
Qualifications for Reimbursement
In addition to treadwear warranties, tires are also evaluated by Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG), a government standard to allow tire comparisons.
Tires with an 80,000-mile treadwear warranty and UTQG treadwear grade of 720 that wear evenly on all four tires down to treadwear indicators of 2/32-inch during first half of the warranty (up to 40,000 miles) will be eligible for free replacement cost by Nokian Tyres.
Beyond that mileage, treadwear will be pro-rated, but the first 40,000 miles will not be counted toward the replacement cost. So for example, if your tires wear-out at 60,000 miles, you pay 50 percent of the cost (half-way between 40,001 to 80,000 miles).
Tires with a 60,000-mile treadwear warranty and UTQG Treadwear grade of 580 in specific 17- and 18-inch tire sizes will have a free replacement cost between up to 30,000 miles. For those who go over, a credit will be applied from 30,001 to 60,000 miles.
Note that tires purchased online are not eligible.
We welcome manufacturers enhancing warranties and consider this a helpful move by Nokian. But this does underscore how tire performance can vary and savvy buyers will want to consult our test findings before buying replacement rubber for their car.
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