(June 15, 2011) SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Failing to maintain your tires properly is one of the easiest ways to have your tire warranty voided, reports Edmunds.com. In "Understanding Tire Warranties," Edmunds.com helps car owners recognize how to make sure that they're not burning money when they're burning rubber.

"Tire warranties may seem like too much to keep track of, but if you take a few basic precautions, you'll not only reduce the chances of a tire wearing out prematurely, but also be fully prepared for a claim," said Ron Montoya, consumer advice associate with Edmunds.com. "If the tire manufacturer does not see proof that the tires were inflated, rotated and aligned properly, chances are your warranty claim will be denied."

Edmunds.com suggests drivers should take the following steps to make sure their tires are properly cared for:

    • Keep tires inflated to the recommended tire pressure
    • Rotate tires based on manufacturer's recommendation, or every 5,000 miles
    • Keep a record of all tire maintenance
    • Inspect tires periodically, looking for any bumps or inconsistent wear patterns

In addition to faulty maintenance, there are other reasons that a manufacturer might void a warranty. Vandalism, racing, off-roading and damage from snow chains are some examples of such warranty killers.

Edmunds.com also helps car owners determine when they need new tires. Most tiremakers have determined that the usable life of a tire is either six years from the date of purchase or when there's just 2/32nds of an inch of tread left.

A simple way to determine this short length is the "penny method," which instructs car owners to put a penny in the groove of the tire, upside down and with Lincoln's head facing in. The distance from the top of Lincoln's head to the edge of the coin is about 2/32nds of an inch. So, if the top of Lincoln's head is showing, the tire will need to be replaced.

Edmunds offers more tire tips — including a detailed description of all the various tire warranties.

Edmunds.com also provides a chart comparing vehicle warranties by make.