Do you have a BMW, MINI, or another car that uses run-flat tires? Did you know that many tire manufacturers offer a free road hazard warranty? Neither did we.
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The single most popular story of the approximately 1200 this writer has published at Torque News is our “thumbs-down of run-flat tires” based on real-life use. Readers can’t stop commenting in support of, or to express their opposition to, run-flats. One little-know fact about these types of tires is that Pirelli, Continental, and Yokohama all offer road hazard insurance on the run-flat tires they make at no added cost. A reader and fan of Torque News, Dr. HHT, who owns a BMW and had her second puncture in a BMW's run flat tire this week, brought the included insurance to our attention. Had we looked more closely at the comments under our prior story we could have written this sooner. Reader “MZMPortland” pointed out the warranty on the Pirelli brand in the comments from 2014.
We looked into the run-flat road hazard warranty first on Pirelli tires. The Pirelli program is not to be confused with a standard warranty against defects. This is a road hazard warranty just like the ones that car dealers and tire shops sell to you at an added cost above and beyond the price of the tires and mounting. Pirelli’s included free warranty, according to its website:
"If a Run Flat tire becomes unserviceable due to workmanship or material irregularities or road hazard injury during the initial warranty period, the tire will be replaced to the owner at no charge. The initial warranty period lasts one year from the date of original retail purchase (purchase receipt required) or within the first 2/32" of original tread, whichever occurs first. After the initial warranty period, if a Run Flat tire becomes unserviceable due to workmanship and material irregularities or road hazard injury, the owner must pay the cost for a comparable new Pirelli brand or PTNA private brand replacement tire on a pro-rated basis.”
Looking deeper, we found that Continental also offers a free, included road hazard warranty. Tire Rack has a summary page listing the Mfgs. that do and don’t (though we found an added one they left off). Tire Rack says of Continental’s warranty “Replaced free of charge first year or first 2/32" of wear (whichever comes first). Continental advises that a repair to one of its tires invalidates all other manufacturer's warranties.”
Tire Rack also says that Yokohama offers a “5-year prorated replacement until worn to 2/32" of remaining tread depth if punctured in RMA defined repairable area.” We could not find those warranties on the Continental or Yokohama sites after some searching, but it is well worth asking your new-car dealer or car dealership for information on the tires.
One very interesting website we did find was Bridgestone’s. They have a road hazard for all of their tires, not just run-flat models. The Bridgestone site says “For additional peace of mind, the DriveGuard Supplemental RoadHazard Limited Warranty covers eligible tires that become damaged or unusable for any reason resulting from a road hazard (e.g. cut, snag, bruise, impact, or puncture). This warranty, given to promote goodwill, is a supplement to the Limited Warranty applicable to your tires.” Interestingly, the site says that in New York this warranty does not apply. Odd.
We hope this information may be helpful to tire owners when shopping for cars or new tires. If you are offered a road hazard warranty at an extra cost, be sure the tires are not already covered.
Please also see: We put BMW run-flat tires to the test and give them a thumbs-down
Study says run-flat tire customer satisfaction lower
Image courtesy of the BMW public information site.
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Wish I'd known this - or
Wish I'd known this - or taken the time to peruse the warranty particulars when I first started purchasing Pirellis for our leased Mercedes. They're pricey enough without tipping the tire shop about $180 per set of tires. Thanks for the enlightentment.
The road hazard warranty is
The road hazard warranty is no longer on the Pirelli web site and warranty coverage specifically excludes road hazards. Can anyone confirm when the road hazard warranty was removed? I see a post from May 2017 on bimmerfest where someone collected on the road hazard warranty, so am hoping it was effective at least until early 2017. Anyone know where I can find a copy of the older warranty? Thanks.
Pirelli does in fact still
Pirelli does in fact still have that same road hazard warranty. At my BMW dealership, we actually promote Pirelli due to their extended road hazard program! Being the Tire Specialist at a dealership, it's my job to ensure that all of my customers are fully informed and advised appropriately to their tire needs. In addition to the roads hazard warranties offered by Pirelli, Continental and Yokohama, BMW has an in house road hazard policy that is 100% coverage for the first year or until 2/32 of tread. Add to that Michelin's Promise Plan and Goodyear's 30 day trial, and you should have a reputable dealer informing you of your tire needs! Feel free to comment here for any further questions!
Chris
Tire Genius
Kuni BMW of Beaverton, OR
I called Pirelli for…
I called Pirelli for clarification (12/26/23) on their warrantee and found the Pirelli warrantee to still be as described on this website (it's still there). That is, there is no road hazard coverage past the first year or the first 2/32 of wear, whichever comes first. There is NO additional coverage available from Pirelli. So, I'm still left with the decision to buy tire and wheel coverage on other factors. Of course, the dealer wants me to purchase coverage through them, which I can do during the first 29 days after delivery of my car. That coverage is from a 3rd party, not the manufacturer of the car or the tires. Pricing around, I found I could buy 84 months of tire and wheel coverage through AAA for less than the dealer plan cost for, I believe, 2 years. Of additional note, my auto insurance company (The Hartford) does not offer tire and wheel coverage unless I wanted to cover custom wheels.
Less than 90 days I had a
Less than 90 days I had a flat on my brand new BMW 2 series. Had to pay $361.00 for one single tire plus mounting and balancing. Since it has only been 68 days since I bought the vehicle the dealership was magnanimous to offer me a warranty that I had declined when signing the papers for the new vehicle. So I can buy the warranty now and it will cover this flat and others in future! Do you want to know how much it costs. Just $1699.00!!!!
So even if you end up with four flats which is very unlikely it would be less than $361 times 4 = $1444. So why do we need to pay so much. The warranty also covers damage to the wheel rim etc., I am glad that I did not buy the warranty.
Beware - the tire
Beware - the tire manufacturers will only cover the costs if they have a contract with the dealer whom you are purchasing the tires. I hit a pot hole, damaging one of my run flats ($500), and wanted to see if BMW would replace it, or at least offer one at a reduced price since it had less than 5000 miles on it with almost all of the original tread. BMW wouldn't budge, so I called Bridgestone directly to see if they would honor their 'Platinum Pact warranty' and was told that BMW is not in contract with them and in order for the tire to have been covered, it needed to be purchased at one of their authorized dealers (Tires Plus, Firestone, Morgan's Tire, or another mom-n-pop shop that I can't recall.)
**So, no, the manufacturers aren't going to cover the tires unless they were sold by one of their authorized dealers.**
I had a Drive guard Run flat
I had a Drive guard Run flat blow out after 6 months.
Bridgestone would not honor the warranty.
Wanted to prorate even though the the warranty said free repair or replace.
The original Continental
The original Continental tires (including run-flat) on a car are NOT covered by a road hazard warranty. Continental only give road hazard on replacement tires.
Pirelli change their warranty
Pirelli change their warranty and run flat tires are not covered after 12 months, on a road hazard claim.But after my Mini dealer conferred with BMW and Pirelli I received a 15% discount on the new replacement for the 6/32" used tire. Pirelli agreed to reimburse the Mini Dealer. I appreciate the effort to please the customer but Run Flat Tires are doomed unless they are covered by a road hazard warranty on the remaining wear on the tire. JMO