7 On Your Side: Consumer Reports test tire tread claims

When drivers buy new tires there's a promise of how many miles they're supposed to last. Consumer Reports did some testing to see if those claims are true.

Buying tires, drivers typically care about the price and the tread life. Manufacturers claim anywhere from 30,000 to 100,000 miles. Some don't always last as long as promised.

When consumers shop for tires, they may be swayed by the tread-wear claims, but like many people, Paul Niedermeyer finds his tires don't last that long.

"The tread-wear warranty would suggest they'd would last 80,000 miles and typically might just last 40,000 or 45,0000," Niedermeyer said.

Consumer Reports tested the tread life of 47 tires - two samples of each. A convoy of trucks drove each tire 16-thousand miles. The tread was measured at regular intervals to project how long the tires will last.

"Tire life does depend on the vehicle and proper maintenance. It also makes a difference how and where you drive. But our mileage projections are a good way to compare tread wear," said Mark Rechtin of Consumer Reports.

Some tire mileage claims proved overly optimistic, although they're tread life is still quite good.

The Kumho's warranty is 75,000 miles. Consumer Reports projects 55,000. The Continental says 90,000. Consumer Reports projects 60,000. Far worse, is the Nokian. Its warranty is 80,000 miles, but Consumer Reports projects just 35,000. Some tires last much longer.

"Michelin was a standout. The three models we tested all met or exceeded their mileage warranty and came in with a projected tread life of 80,000 miles, or more," Rechin said.

The longest lasting tires in consumer reports' tests are the Pirelli P4 Four Seasons Plus. They claim 90,000 miles, and Consumer Reports estimates they'll go 100,000.

Consumer Reports says consumers shouldn't count on getting their money back if their tires wear out before the mileage warranty. Drivers will only only get a credit for the miles that the tire didn't last. And it's only good toward the retail price, or dealer's retail price, for an identical or comparable tire from the same manufacturer. Discounts, which are common, could leave that credit worthless.

Consumer Reports is published by Consumers Union. Both Consumer Reports and Consumers Union are not-for-profit organizations that accept no advertising. Neither has any commercial relationship with any advertiser or sponsor on this site.

(All Consumer Reports Material Copyright 2014. Consumers Union of U.S. Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)