Michelin North America Inc. has provided some additional details on its Michelin X-Ice Xi2 and Latitude X-Ice Xi2 winter tire warranty, the first warranty the company has provided on winter tires in the U.S.
The limited 40,000-mile tread wear warranty includes coverage for materials and workmanship, the company notes. (For the full story, see Michelin FleX-es its muscles with winter tire warranty).
“Winter tires are designed specifically for winter usage and we do not recommend year-round use,” a company spokesman says. “As such, we do place a restriction that tires cannot be in service longer than the winter season (generally six months). However, for those who do generate high mileage in winter conditions, this tread life warranty is another value add from Michelin.
“We recommend standard rotation every 6,000 to 8,000 miles and, if consumers do not achieve 40,000 miles, any shortfalls will be credited toward a new set.”
The company is using 2/32nds as the “wear-out” point. If the consumer decides to replace the tires earlier in the tire life, he or she has made a choice to not exercise the benefit of the tread life warranty coverage, the company states.
As for documentation on the tires, the company looks for information from a dealer that the tires have been installed and removed from service during the winter season. In the event the consumer installs and removes the tires himself, the company requests the individual keep records of dates and mileage as proof.
