Continental tires cracking @ 16k!!!!!!!!!

Hey guys!

A friend of mine in Boston purchased a 2004 Camry brand new in 04. It came with Continental tires on it from the factory. She just had the car in for maintenance at approximately 16,000 miles and was told that her tires had to be replaced because of cracking on the sidewall near the tread. She asked what about a warranty and they told her cracking from low mileage wasn't covered. Are they NUTS? Has anyone had this problem? Does anyone know what the Continental tire warranty is? This can't possibly be right, can it? I think I'm babbling because I am in shock!!!!!

Jackie :runaround:

CONTINENTAL TIRE NORTH AMERICA, INC. AND CONTINENTAL TIRE CANADA, INC. LIMITED WARRANTY AND ADJUSTMENT POLICY FOR ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT PASSENGER CAR AND LIGHT TRUCK TIRES (Including Temporary Spare Tires)

This Limited Warranty (“Limited Warranty”) and Adjustment Policy (“Policy”) is issued by Continental Tire North America, Inc. and Continental Tire Canada, Inc. (“Continental Tire”) and is applicable for Continental/General Tire brand new vehicle original equipment tires and is a promise of replacement under certain specified conditions. This Limited Warranty and Policy applies to tires in normal service displaying adjustable conditions (see Section 4) and does not require the existence of a workmanship-or-material-related condition in order to qualify for adjustment.

THIS LIMITED WARRANTY AND POLICY IS NOT A WARRANTY THAT YOUR TIRE WILL NOT FAIL OR BECOME UNSERVICEABLE IF NEGLECTED OR MISTREATED.

Continental Tire recommends that you carefully review this guide, which contains important Limited Warranty and Policy information. Continental Tire encourages you to also read the important safety and maintenance information included in this guide.

1. ELIGIBILITY

This Limited Warranty and Policy applies to the original owner of new Continental/General Tire brand passenger car, light truck (“LT”) and Temporary Spare tires that are the new vehicle original equipment tires bearing the Continental/General Tire brand name and D.O.T. Tire Identification Number, operated in normal service, and equipped on your vehicle on which they were originally installed according to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations (“Eligible Tires”).

2. WHAT IS THE ADJUSTMENT POLICY AND HOW LONG IS IT APPLICABLE?
A. BASIC COVERAGE:

Eligible Tires are covered by this Limited Warranty and Policy for a maximum of 72 months from the date of purchase determined by the new vehicle registration date or new vehicle sales invoice showing date of purchase. If an eligible Continental/General Tire brand passenger, light truck, or Temporary Spare tire used in normal service, becomes unserviceable from a condition other than those listed under Section 4 during the time or treadwear periods shown below, it will be replaced with a comparable new Continental/General Tire brand tire according to the following paragraphs (1) and (2).

(1) Free Replacement Policy

Time Treadwear
Passenger Tire First 12 Months or First 2/32nds (1.6mm)
(Whichever comes first)
Mounting and balancing included free of charge.
Owner pays all applicable taxes.

Light Truck Tire First 12 Months or First 3/32nds (2.4mm)
(Whichever comes first)
Mounting and balancing Included free of charge.
Owner pays all applicable taxes excluding, if in the U.S., F.E.T.

Temporary Spare Tire 72 Months or First 1/32nd (0.8mm)
(Whichever comes first)
Mounting and balancing included free of charge.
Owner pays all applicable taxes.

(2) ‘‘Pro Rata Replacement Policy’’

After the free replacement period expires, Continental/General Tire brand passenger and light truck tires still may be eligible for a pro rata replacement for 72 months from date of original purchase as follows: you may purchase a new, comparable Continental/General Tire brand replacement tire on a pro rata basis until the tread is worn down to the tread wear indicators (2/32nds of an inch or 1.6 mm of tread remaining); the tire tread is worn out at this point and the Basic Coverage of this Limited Warranty and Policy ends, regardless of the time period remaining. Owner pays all applicable taxes including, if in the U.S., F.E.T.), mounting and balancing charges.

(3) TEMPORARY SPARE TIRES
A. BASIC COVERAGE

Continental/General Tire brand Temporary Spare tires are covered by this Limited Warranty and Policy for a maximum of 72 months from date of purchase.

If a Continental/General Tire brand Temporary Spare tire used in normal service becomes unserviceable from a condition other than those listed in Section 4 within the first 1/32nds of an inch (.8 mm) of treadwear, the tire will be replaced with a new Continental/General Tire brand Temporary Spare free of charge, including mounting and balancing. Owner pays all applicable taxes. After the first 1/32nd of an inch (.8 mm) of treadwear, the Limited Warranty and Policy coverage expires, no adjustments will be made.

3. HOW A PRO RATA PRICE IS CALCULATED

The replacement tire price will be determined by multiplying the percentage of the useable tread worn by the Dealers Selling Price (excluding all applicable taxes) at the time of the adjustment or the Continental/General Tire brand current published Adjustment Base Price, whichever is lower. The usable tread is the original tread down to the tread wear indicators (2/32nds of an inch or 1.6 mm of tread remaining). The Adjustment Base Price is intended to fairly represent a Dealers Selling Price for the same or comparable tire.

4. WHAT IS NOT COVERED BY THE ADJUSTMENT POLICY

A. THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE NOT COVERED:
Road hazard tire damage: cuts, snags, punctures, bruises, impact breaks, any damage caused by puncture whether properly repaired or not, and any other improper tire repair procedures.

Ride/Vibration: after the first 2/32nds (1.6 mm) of an inch of treadwear for passenger tires and first 3/32nds (2.4 mm) of an inch for light truck tires or 12 months of service, whichever comes first.

Tire damage or failure resulting from improper operation or maintenance, including improper loading, speed and inflation practices, causing excessive operational temperatures and stresses that exceed the tire capabilities. Continued use while the tire(s) is/are flat. Premature or irregular wear caused by failing to follow the recommended tire rotation mileage intervals.

Tire damage (including irregular treadwear) or failure resulting from improper mounting, demounting, vehicle wheel alignment, or tire truing; rim damage or irregularities; snow chain damage; vehicle mechanical problems including brake problems; extreme temperature exposure; misuse; negligent and abusive driving such as tire spinning, or racing; damage caused by improper tire storage, accident, fire and chemical corrosion; and improper use contrary to the vehicle manufacturer’s tire recommendations.

Tire failure resulting from intentional alteration such as adding a white inlay on blackwall, tread regrooving, or adding sealant materials to the tire.

Age conditions: weather checking/cracking coverage is for a maximum period of 48 months from the date of purchase.

Failure to observe safety and maintenance precautions set forth in this guide.

B. General Exclusions

Tire(s) submitted for an adjustment as covered in the Basic Coverage of Section 2A in service for longer than 72 months from date of purchase.

Tire(s) on any vehicle registered and normally operated outside the United States and Canada. For tires on vehicles normally operated outside the United States and Canada, see the nearest Continental/General Tire brand tire dealer or distributor for local coverage.

Tire(s) transferred from the vehicle on which they were originally installed are not covered.

Continental Tire does not offer tread wearout coverage up to a predetermined mile-age.

THIS LIMITED WARRANTY AND POLICY IS MADE IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. CONTINENTAL TIRE EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES , INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. SOME STATES AND PROVINCES DO NOT PERMIT SUCH A LIMITATION; FOR THOSE STATES AND PROVINCES, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE DURATION OF WRITTEN WARRANTY.

This is the only express warranty made by Continental Tire. No Continental Tire employee, retailer, or dealer has the authority to make any warranty, representation, promise or agreement on behalf of Continental Tire except as expressly written in this Limited Warranty and Policy.

TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, CONTINENTAL TIRE DISCLAIMS LIABILITY FOR ALL CONSEQUENTIAL AND INCIDENTAL DAMAGES. THE REMEDIES SET FORTH IN THIS LIMITED WARRANTY ARE THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES FOR BREACH OF WARRANTY.

SOME STATES AND PROVINCES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR EXCLUSIONS OR LIMITATIONS ON IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR ON THE DURATION OF SUCH WARRANTIES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS, AND YOU MAY ALSO HAVE OTHER RIGHTS WHICH MAY VARY FROM STATE TO STATE IN THE U.S. AND FROM PROVINCE TO PROVINCE IN CANADA.

In observance of U.S. Federal Law, this warranty and policy has been designated a “Limited Warranty”. Continental Tire does not intend to represent through this Limited Warranty and Policy that tire failures can not happen.

5. CONTINENTAL TIRE’S OBLIGATIONS

Replacement of Eligible Tires will be made by any Continental/General Tire brand authorized dealer or vehicle dealer authorized to handle Continental/General Tire brand tire adjustments (“Authorized Dealer”). Continental Tire will replace the tire pursuant to the terms of this Limited Warranty and Policy. Tires that are replaced under an adjustment basis under this Limited Warranty and Policy become the property of Continental Tire.

6. OWNER’S OBLIGATIONS

To make an eligible claim under this Limited Warranty and Policy, the owner must present a claim with the tire(s) to an Authorized Dealer. For the nearest Authorized Dealer, consult the Yellow Pages, the Continental/General Tire brand internet address, or the 800 numbers shown on the back of this brochure. Owner must present new vehicle registration form or new vehicle sales invoice indicating the date of purchase. Owner will be required to sign the Continental Tire Limited Warranty Claim Form or dealer replacement sales receipt.

Owner is responsible for paying all applicable taxes set forth under this Limited Warranty and Policy. Owner is also responsible for paying local tire-disposal fees where applicable and any parts or service regardless of mileage or months of service. This includes payment for tire rotation, alignment, towing, road service, valve stems and tire repairs. Owner is responsible for maintaining proper tire air pressure and for proper maintenance of the tire.

At the time of making a claim, owner is required to present the tire(s) and new vehicle registration form or new vehicle sales invoice showing date of purchase. If satisfactory proof-of-purchase date is not provided, the D.O.T. (Tire Identification Number) date of manufacture will be used.

A “comparable” new Continental/General Tire brand tire may be either the same tire line or the same basic construction but with a different sidewall or tread configuration. If the customer accepts a higher-priced replacement tire, the customer will pay the difference in price. Any tire replaced under this Limited Warranty and Policy will be covered by the current Continental/General Tire brand Limited Warranty and Policy.

7. FOR SERVICE ASSISTANCE OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

For the nearest Continental/General Tire brand tire dealer, consult the Yellow Pages or, if for any reason local service or information is not available, call Continental/General Tire brand toll-free Customer Relations number. In the United States, call: 1-800-847-3349. In Canada, call: 1-800-461-1776 or use the Continental or General brand Internet Address: www.continentaltire.com or www.generaltire.com.

Continental Tire
North America, Inc.
1800 Continental Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28273

Continental Tire Canada, Inc.
215 Rowntree Dairy Road
Woodbridge, Ontario
L4L 8B8

http://archionslair.com/downloads/mustang/owners/2006/06warr.pdf

Your friend should have been issued literature with her car that contains the Continental Warranty as purchased.

"Age conditions: weather checking/cracking coverage is for a maximum period of 48 months from the date of purchase."

Your friend should have been issued literature with her car that contains the Continental Warranty as purchased.

Thanks Brian! I told her that on the phone tonight. Even my '94 had literature for the tires with the owners manual and literature.

I'll let you know how she makes out, although, I don't think she'll ever want another Continental tire on her car again! LOL! She's NOT a very happy camper!

Brakes and tires should never be shortchanged. They, more than anything else, determine the straight-line handling and thus safety of the vehicle.

I wouldn't exactly go completely anti-continental just yet. Those tires are at lest 4 years old, and they have been dealing with boston weather. If the car was garaged than its a different story, but if they just sat in the snow without being driven, that's bad. 3-4k a year is not a lot of mileage.
Rubber likes to compression set if it isn't moved. Those things might have gone 60k without any problems if they were driven.

I had a similiar problem with Dunlop tires. I actually had cracking within the threads themselves on a low mileage set of Dunlop Sport A2's I purchased at Sam's Club. I took my car back to Sam's Club to get them inspected. They said that's normal and shouldn't be a problem. I thought they were totally wrong so I called Dunlop directly themselves. They told me that is a problem and that cracking is warrantied for 4 years from the date of purchase. My tires were 3 years old with very low mileage. They also told me Sam's Club doesn't like to warranty anything. I guess it's the same with most places. They don't make money on warrantying tires. I went back to Sam's Club and told them I talked to Dunlop customer service and what they said. They did warranty the tires, but were not happy about it.

My point is this. Find out the date your friend took delivery of the car. You said it's an 04 and that she purchased it in 04. Chances are she may still be within the 4 years the warranty Brian posted states. If so, have your friend take it back to a Continental dealer or call Continental yourself (their 800 number is listed in the warranty) and speak to customer service about the issue and her concerns. Even if she is just over the 4 year time limit, I would have her call and ask for some assistance from Continental. Some manufacturers will offer goodwill assistance to customers, especially when dealing with a safety issue. In either case, they may direct her to a dealer in her area for inspection and Pro Rata replacement. In my experience, most dealers of any product are more likely to be on the up and up with a customer that is directed to them from corporate locations.

Mike

I don't think I will ever buy a Honda in Bridgeport, WV or Continental tires again. Mine did the same thing. And the Honda dealer will not even talk to me about this. I had only owned my CR-V was13 months and the tires would no pass a state inspection.