Topic: Advice Greatly Appreciated -- Audi WearCare, Worth it?

[AP]

Tire wear isn't considered excess wear and tear. Tires, like brake pads, and clutches are meant to wear out as a consequence of normal use. Likewise, very minor scratches and stone chips are considered normal wear. These products are meant to protect against unexpected, excess wear. A gouge in a tire's sidewall would be excess wear. Low tread depth would not.

So you can return a Ford at the end of a lease with literally no tread remaining without charge?

#9 exclusion in your contract is probably meant to only apply to accessories in any event since it uses the word "added" (a part "added" is arguably different than a part "replaced").

[Cord]

Tire wear isn't considered excess wear and tear. Tires, like brake pads, and clutches are meant to wear out as a consequence of normal use. Likewise, very minor scratches and stone chips are considered normal wear. These products are meant to protect against unexpected, excess wear. A gouge in a tire's sidewall would be excess wear. Low tread depth would not.

So you can return a Ford at the end of a lease with literally no tread remaining without charge?

#9 exclusion in your contract is probably meant to only apply to accessories in any event since it uses the word "added" (a part "added" is arguably different than a part "replaced").

No, just like you can't return one without any brakes left or with a clutch worn out. Here are Ford's tire guidelines:

WHEELS & TIRES
Chargeable Wear & Tear
The following wear and tear are chargeable:
• Wheels and tires, regardless of kilometres, that have:
o less than 3.2 mm (1/8-inch) in any groove except the outer grooves, or
o outer treads that have no wear remaining, or
o internal belts or casings that are showing
• Sizes different from original equipment size
• Recapped, retreaded, or snow tires
• Mismatched, bent, cracked, or broken wheels, wheel covers, or trim rings
• Tire sidewall repair plugs
• Any tire damage affecting the safe operation of the vehicle
• Any damage that affects the safety of the tire

Acceptable Wear & Tear
Acceptable wear and tear standards for tires and wheels, regardless of kilometres, are
listed below:
• Minor scuffs or nicks to wheels, wheel covers, or trim rings, or that do not affect
the safety of the tire
• Replacement tires that match the original tire in size and rating (regardless of
brand)

[AP]

No, just like you can't return one without any brakes left or with a clutch worn out.

So doesn't that mean that tire wear can indeed be excess wear? 

[articsteve]

Get them down to 1K and roll it into the lease.  Worth it on 4 years.

[Cord]

No, just like you can't return one without any brakes left or with a clutch worn out.

So doesn't that mean that tire wear can indeed be excess wear? 

I guess if you just want to play semantics with specific phrases. I'm guessing that Ford Credit lists the exclusions and conditions just to avoid such "interpretations."

[AP]

I guess if you just want to play semantics with specific phrases. I'm guessing that Ford Credit lists the exclusions and conditions just to avoid such "interpretations."

My post was perhaps poorly worded.  I really was just trying to understand what seemed (to me at any rate) like contradictory statements. 

If excess tire wear is something you can get charged for at lease termination, then I would have assumed that it might be something covered by an excess wear and tear plan.  I guess not.

[Cord]

I guess if you just want to play semantics with specific phrases. I'm guessing that Ford Credit lists the exclusions and conditions just to avoid such "interpretations."

My post was perhaps poorly worded.  I really was just trying to understand what seemed (to me at any rate) like contradictory statements. 

If excess tire wear is something you can get charged for at lease termination, then I would have assumed that it might be something covered by an excess wear and tear plan.  I guess not.

Is it just me or does describing a bald tire as suffering from "excess wear" sound like a legalese joke?  Most people would just consider them used up.

That reminds me, I have to fill up on the way home. My gas tank is experiencing excess emptiness. 

[AP]

Is it just me or does describing a bald tire as suffering from "excess wear" sound like a legalese joke?  Most people would just consider them used up.

I resemble that comment!

I go back then to my initial instinct - the excess wear protection is not worth it b/c many of the things you might get dinged for (like excess tire wear!) are excluded.

[Guy]

Is it just me or does describing a bald tire as suffering from "excess wear" sound like a legalese joke?  Most people would just consider them used up.

I resemble that comment!

I go back then to my initial instinct - the excess wear protection is not worth it b/c many of the things you might get dinged for (like excess tire wear!) are excluded.

Mine were covered.....They were all under 3/32 and the excess wear insurance covered for it. Bald tires are indeed excess wear, and so is a cracked windshield too.

On the first sheet, you see the 4 tires and a couple of scratches for $615. The autovin inspector did not notice the cracked windshield. Once I pointed it out to him, the total went up to $1477 (3A). $862 for a windshield, I guess that's the OEM price. I had the rain sensing wipers, don't know if that has anything to do with the high price. Anyway, you can see in (3B) that everything, including the tires, was covered.

My contract is the same Cord refers to. Ford owned Volvo at that time, all the leases were trough Ford credit with the same wear care programs.

[Cord]

Is it just me or does describing a bald tire as suffering from "excess wear" sound like a legalese joke?  Most people would just consider them used up.

I resemble that comment!

I go back then to my initial instinct - the excess wear protection is not worth it b/c many of the things you might get dinged for (like excess tire wear!) are excluded.

Mine were covered.....They were all under 3/32 and the excess wear insurance covered for it. Bald tires are indeed excess wear. Want me to scan my docs?

My apologies everyone.  I was reading the normal lease exclusions as being the Wear Care exclusions. Tires below 3.2 mm tread are covered under Wear Care.

[AP]

Since tires are covered (at least by Ford) that makes the deal a more compelling prospect.  May as well prepay to enjoy some spirited driving. 

Frankly, though, the fact that worn out tires are in the first place an excess wear charge seems wrong, at least as a categorical rule. 

Whether the tires wear out is a function of (a) the tire wear rating and (b) the mileage allotment under the lease.  If tires with an anticipated lifespan of, say, 40k, are returned at the end of, say, a 40k lease, why do I have to pay for excess wear if the tires are completely worn out?  I did not consume anything more than what I paid for (40k of driving).  If the tires should have lasted 100k, the analysis obviously changes.  But it should be reasonably clear that you shouldn't really treat this as a standard lease term.

[Cord]

Hey AP, Don't lease! 

[Angry Chicken]

FWIW, we didn't opt for the Audi WearCare, but we have one year from date of sale to opt in if we still wish to.

[Guy]

FWIW, we didn't opt for the Audi WearCare, but we have one year from date of sale to opt in if we still wish to.

Well, your question kept us entertained for a few days. Thanks!

[AP]

Hey AP, Don't lease! 

Read: Please don't come to my dealership to lease!  Point taken!

[Angry Chicken]

FWIW, we didn't opt for the Audi WearCare, but we have one year from date of sale to opt in if we still wish to.

Well, your question kept us entertained for a few days.

Clearly!   

You're welcome!

[life in the slow lane]

My friend (also works at a Ford Dealership) says they often make MORE money on the add-ons than the margin on the car itself....

Often true. So would the product in the original post be better for the customer if the dealer's cost was higher?

No.  But obviously the dealer knows that some of the aftermarket stuff they sell is completely useless and/or crap.  Yet they continue to do it just to make a buck.

Makes me think of the garbage paint protection package all dealerships offer that claim last for years.   

Dealer tried to sell me the paint protection package, said I would think about it. I contacted a professional detailer and he said "People think because they have paint protection they don't have to was their vehicles. Guess what you do."  When Iwent back to complete the deal, said no thanks and saved alot of money. I can buy alot of wax with the money I saved.