Tires - Bumper To Bumper Warranty Coverage
File In Section: 03 - SuspensionBulletin No.: 00-03-10-003B
Date: May, 2001
WARRANTY ADMINISTRATION
Subject:
GM Tire Warranty for Bumper-to-Bumper Program
Models:
1996-2001 Passenger Cars and Light Duty Trucks
Attention:
"GM of Canada" and "IPC" dealers are not authorized to utilize this service bulletin.
This bulletin is being revised to include information on the new GM Global Tire Warranty & Claims (GTWC) website for preparing the GM Tire Requisition & Return Document for tires being replaced under the Bumper-to-Bumper New Vehicle Limited Warranty Program. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 00-03-10-003A (Section 03 - Suspension)
Since the 1996 model year, original equipment manufactured (OEM) tires on all GM passenger cars and light duty trucks are covered under the Bumper-to-Bumper time and mileage provisions of the GM New Vehicle Limited Warranty. Saturn began such coverage with the 2001 model year. Tire warranty coverage allows the customer to have all warranty needs, including tires, addressed at one location - a GM dealership. Although GM dealers are not required to inventory tires to administer this warranty coverage, some dealers may choose to do so.
What Is Covered
Only OEM tires are covered against defects in material and workmanship. OEM tires will always have a Tire Performance Criteria (TPC) number molded on the sidewall near the tire size. (Exceptions: Prizm and some Tracker models do not use TPC tires, but are still covered.) Any replaced tire will continue to be covered for the remaining portion of the New Vehicle Warranty. Tires will be warranted without prorated charges for tread mileage.
Following expiration of GM's coverage, tires may continue to be warranted, on a pro-rated basis, by the tire manufacturer. Review the tire manufacturer's booklet (included as part of the glove box material).
What Is Not Covered
^ Non-original equipment tires (those without a TPC number molded on the sidewall except Prizm and Tracker) are not covered.
^ Normal tire wear and wear out is not covered.
^ Road hazard is not covered. This includes punctures, cuts, impact breaks, etc.
Road hazard is covered by the tire manufacturer on sealant and EMT (run flat) tires.
^ Damage due to misuse, negligence, lack of maintenance, alteration, racing and vandalism is not covered.
Global Tire Warranty & Claims Website
Effective May 14, 2001, GM dealers will be required to use the Global Tire Warranty & Claims (GTWC) website to electronically initiate the Tire Requisition & Return Document needed to obtain replacement tires. All previous paper copy versions of this document should be discarded.
The GTWC website is a secured, encrypted, password-protected tool designed to allow GM to collect and monitor data on tires being replaced on all GM vehicles, providing an early warning for any concerns. The website will provide a more efficient, faster and error-free procedure for preparing the GM Tire Requisition & Return Document.
The electronic Tire Requisition & Return Document requires one form per tire, not one form per vehicle, as in the past. This web form is designed to automatically fill data fields and provides many drop-down menu selections to minimize user effort. It also has additional data requirements on types of adjustments and has a monitoring system for the return of tires to the tire manufacturer for inspection. GM dealers will need to print copies of the completed web form to get replacement tires from the local tire dealer and to return the removed tire(s) to the tire manufacturer for inspection.
Once the removed tire has been returned and inspected, the tire manufacturer will also use the GTWC web system to complete the form initiated by the GM dealer.
Initiating a Tire Requisition & Return Document Online
Users may access the system using any PC with an Internet connection through the GM ACCESS hyperlink or preferably using a local Internet Service Provider (ISP). The minimum browser version required is Netscape 4.5 or Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher. The GM ACCESS server has an outdated web browser and cannot be used to access this website. Please use a client PC with the appropriate level of browser.
1. From a Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape, type in the web address: http://gtwc.gm.com.
2. IN the pop-up logon window, type your User ID (which is your Business Association Code) and your password (your initial password is the same as your User ID) and then click the OK button.
3. For security, each dealer is encouraged to change their password after they logon the first time. Click on "Change Password" from the upper right-hand menu bar and follow the instructions provided. Please note that User IDs and passwords are case sensitive.
4. From the "Create New Adjustment" screen, select your GM Dealer Code from the drop-down menu.
5. Proceed through the form, using the drop-down menus and "populate" buttons to auto-fill related data.
6. Help buttons are located at individual data fields and overall forms help and definitions are available at the top right of the screen.
7. From the bottom of the screen, you can "Save as Draft" to complete the form later or "Submit" the form if it is complete.
8. A confirmation screen will appear allowing you to print the form. Three copies of the form should be printed. One copy will be provided to the tire store to obtain a replacement tire. The second copy will be sent with the returned tire and the third copy should be retained. in the vehicle history file. In addition, an option to quickly create another form called "Next Tire Same Vehicle" is shown.
9. On the navigation menu bar across the top of the screen, "Edit" and "View" choices provide a way to get back to incomplete forms or view forms that have been submitted. A search mechanism is available to sort through forms by fields (date of form, repair order number, etc.).
U.S. help Line for GTWC Website Users:
1-888-337-1010
Follow prompt 3: For GM ACCESS, DealerWorld and Other Internet Applications
Obtaining New Tires
1. Determine the vehicle and tire eligibility based on the What Is Covered/What Is Not Covered portion of this bulletin.
2. A GM Tire Requisition and Return Document must be completed electronically on the website to obtain tires. Pressing the web form Submit" button does NOT order a new tire. GM dealers will need to print a copy of the completed web form to get the replacement tire from the local tire dealer.
3. New tires are to be obtained through the local tire dealer using a printed copy of the GM Tire Requisition and Return web form. A warranty replacement tire will be provided at no charge. Dealers are NOT to purchase warranty replacement tires. If a tire dealer is not convenient, call the tire manufacturer's toll-free phone number (listed later in this bulletin). Some tire companies will ship direct to the GM dealership.
4. New tires should be properly mounted, dynamically balanced and installed in the customer's vehicle. Proper balance weights and wheel nut torque procedures must be used.
Returning Old Tires
MOST tires replaced under the New Vehicle Limited Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty will be returned to the tire manufacturer. This is done using pre-addressed, prepaid UPS shipping labels. These labels can be obtained from Helm by calling 1-888-549-6152. Do NOT call UPS or the tire companies for these labels. There will be instances when the GM Warranty Parts Center (WPC) will request tires. Therefore, all replaced tires must be retained until receipt of claim payment. The WPC will request a tire(s) on the same day the credit memo is received at the GM dealership. If no WPC request is received, the dealer should return tires to the proper tire manufacturer.
GM dealers are encouraged to submit warranty claims as soon as possible in order to alleviate storage of tires.
Whether returned to the tire manufacturer or the WPC, a printed copy of the Tire Requisition and Return Document web form and the repair order must be placed in an envelope and securely taped to EACH tire being returned. A shipping label to the WPC or tire company must be attached to EACH tire being returned. Using a tire crayon, mark the tire to indicate the reason for replacement or location of the defect.
Submitting a Warranty Claim
1. The correct tire warranty labor code must be used for the brand of tire replaced. Choose the correct labor code from the list as shown.
2. The generic number 09592318 MUST be inserted on all tire claims in the "part number" field regardless of manufacturer to ensure correct processing.
3. A $25 administrative allowance per repair order MUST be inserted in the "parts amount" field.
4. Labor for mounting and balancing should be submitted.
5. Freight charges for tire returns are NOT to be submitted.
Labor time to replace one tire, including mounting and balancing, is 0.6 hr. Each additional tire replaced is 0.4 hr.
Important:
For tire replacement because of transportation damage or incorrect parts, use labor code E0421 and submit as a transportation claim.
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