Okay, to summerize the situation: In 2000 my grandfather bought a 2000 Cadillac Catera. As an added option, he had them install Vogue Custom Built Tires. They have generally been nothing but trouble having problems like the white walls peeling, losing air mysteriously, adding to unusal tie-rod wear, etc. On Tuesday we were out running errons in the car and I notice that one of his rear tires had two large golf-ball sized bubbles on the side wall. We immeidately took it to the dearler and they say that the "pro-rated" amount for a new tire will be $200.00. Thats represents a $50.00 discount from the actual cost of a new tire. The service manager admits its a manufacture defect, but insists that we must pay for a new tire just the same. They say the tire is near the end of its life. Now according to Vogue this tire is rated for 80k, and the car, even being 7 years old still only has 31k on it. Then how is it at the end of its life? We ended up driving out with the same tire on the car because we had no intention of paying for a new tire when this one is still basically new. The question is: What remedy to we have now? This Cadillac Dealer is the only one in Tampa that sells these tires and I called Vogue in Chicago and they say I have to negotiate at the dealer. Anyone had this problem before? Any advice? Thanks.

You might start by reading the actual warranty paperwork for them. They should list the pro-rate of the tire vs treadwear. Notice I said treadwear and not mileage on them. Driving habits and alignment can adversely affect treadwear. I'd be luck to get a year out of a new tire on my Sable.

Did the dealer mention how much tread was left? You might try a tire dealer to get their estimate of treadwear too for negotiating purposes.

a tire warranty is based on treadwear in cases of a roadhazard/defect replacement

the only time that mileage is a factor in warranty, is when they are worn out before rated mileage, and replaced due to low remaining tread (3/32" IIRC)

so, are you saying the tire should be fully covered due to the bubble?

tire should be covered minus the % of tread used....
if the tread is 25% used, you would get credit for 3/4 the price of a new tire...
if the tread is 50% used, you would get credit for 1/2 the price of a new tire...
if the tread is 75% used, you would get credit for 1/4 the price of a new tire...
and so on.....

this is based on REMAINING TREAD, NOT MILEAGE

I can't say that this is a Vogue Tyre problem it does and will happen on other tires aswell...

from what I can understand from the discription of your problem your tire blew a belt, Change it NOW and do not drive on it...

I have had several sets of Vogue tyres and have never had a problem like yours but I have had with Goodyear and others.

and yes all most tire warranties have a pro rated clause.

Well, I'm not saying we wanted a brand new tire free of charge. But the service advisor and manager both say they can't guarantee the mileage of any tire they sell. However, when you buy a new Cadillac and opt for the Vogue tires they will clearly tell you that these tires will go for 80k under most conditions. The tire in question only has 31k it, therefore, it still has well over half its life left yet they want us to pay the entire cost of a new tire. In addition, they have admitted that its a manufacuturer defect but still insist that we must pay even tough several other people there with the same bubble problem are getting new tires free of charge. Also, I was told that the tire is safe to drive on, however, me and my 81 year old grandfather think thats a bad idea but they refused to put the spare tire on. I guess my only option now is a legal one, which sucks, but I'm tired of these dealerships trying to take advantage of the elderly.

Mileage doesn't factor into the life of the tire in reality.

Let'* call the bubble a road hazard issue. If I have a tire issue..they will prorate them based on the amount of tread as others have mentioned. Anyone that has seen my front tires, knows...I'm low on mileage and low on tread life.

It Doesn't have half of it'* life yet. Just like everyone'* said in this thread, tire life is based on treadwear ONLY.

If you have two bubbles on the sidewall of the tire, ditch them and get something else ASAP. If there'* one issue with tires you do not push, it'* sidewalls.