When we talk about the best tires based on industry reputation and performance, the name Tiger Paw is always on the top mentions. Be it industry experts or regular users, everyone seems to have something positive to say about these tires.
But, have you ever wondered who makes tiger paw tires? Where are they manufactured or how the brand warranty works? Most importantly, can you tell whether Tiger Paw tires are genuinely good or not?
If you want to know every little detail about this tire brand, you’re in for a treat. Let’s dive deep into the world of Tiger Paw tires and learn how they became industry-leading tires in a short time.
Who Makes Tiger Paw Tires?- The Short Answer
Michelin North America Inc manufactures tiger paw tires under their economy brand Uniroyal. According to Olivia Le Meur, the brand director of Uniroyal, they’re making sure everyone gets the best value a tire can offer. In recent times, Tiger Paw tires have covered almost the entire market in America.
About Michelin, Uniroyal And ‘Obviously’ Tiger Paws
You might be surprised to know that the company Uniroyal started its journey 125 years ago! Here’s a brief description of how it started and still running even after facing so many difficulties along its way-
- In 1892, nine rubber manufacturing companies came forward to create the United States Rubber Company. At that time, the company mainly produced rubber-made products like hand gloves, sneakers, etc.
- In 1931, the US rubber company brought a large share of a tire company called ‘Gillette Safety Tire Company’. Together they became one of the biggest tire suppliers.
- Finally, it was in 1961 when the company changed its name to Uniroyal, Inc.
- In the 1960s, Uniroyal launched the Tiger Paw® tire line. Although it introduced many other lines of tires, Tiger Paw remains the most popular one to date. In fact, the official logo of the company also features a royal tiger.
- A French tire-making company Michelin acquired Uniroyal, Inc. in 1990. The brand has been working separately since then.
Where is the Tiger Paw Tire Made and Manufactured?
Although the Michelin Company is operated in France, it has built many plants all over the USA to meet local demand. Here’s where the Tiger Paw tires are made and manufactured-
In the USA,
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma
- Alabama
- Indiana
- South Carolina and many other states and cities
Outside the USA,
- Nova Scotia, Canada
- Peru
- Columbia
- Queretaro, Mexico, and other countries
How Does the Brand Warranty Work?
The warranty provided by Uniroyal is superior to other brands in many aspects. Usually, it provides three types of warranty including-
Uniroyal Mileage or Treadwear Warranty
All Tiger Paw tires offer a mileage warranty ranging from 50,000 miles to 80,000 miles depending on which tire you have purchased.
If the tire wears out before delivering the guaranteed mileage, Uniroyal will offer you a replacement for the on a pro-rata basis. This means you will be held responsible for a certain percentage of the replacement cost.
Uniroyal Materials and Workmanship Warranty
For defects in workmanship or materials during the ‘life of the usable tread’ (evenly worn out down to 2/32nds of tread) or six years from purchasing date, Uniroyal will replace your tire with a new one under this warranty.
You’ll get a free-of-cost replacement if it happens within 12 months of your purchase. Otherwise, the replacement will be done on a pro-rata basis.
Uniroyal Special Warranty
To keep its consumers satisfied, Uniroyal offers a 45-day satisfaction guarantee and flat-tire replacing assistance. You can return the tire within the first 45 days of purchase if you’re not satisfied with its performance.
If users got a flat tire and don’t know the replacement process, they can call for the Michelin roadside assistance to do it for them.
How Many Miles Do the Tiger Paw Tires Last?
It depends on the tire type and the consumer. Typically, all Tiger Paw tires come with a 6-year warranty. The mileage warranty varies from the tire to tire. Here’s a list of warrantied mileage for various Uniroyal Tiger Paw Tires-
| Car & Minivan Tires | Tiger Paw Touring All-Season (H-speed rating) | 75,000 Miles |
|---|---|---|
| Tiger Paw Touring All-Season (V-speed rating) | 65,000 Miles | |
| Tiger Paw GTZ All-Season 2 | 50,000 Miles | |
| Tiger Paw AWP II | 65,000 Miles | |
| Tiger Paw Touring (S/T-speed rating) | 70,000 Miles | |
| Tiger Paw Touring (H/V-speed rating) | 55,000 Miles | |
| Pickup, CUV, & SUV Tires | Tiger Paw Touring All-Season (H-speed rating) | 75,000 Miles |
| Tiger Paw Touring All Season (V-speed rating) | 65,000 Miles |
What Vehicles Can Use Tiger Paw Tires?
The brand Uniroyal has launched the Tiger Paw tire line for all types of vehicles. Below are the specific type of tires for specific vehicles-
- Car & Minivan : Tiger Paw AWP II, Tiger Paw Touring A/S
- SUV & Pickup : Tiger Paw Touring A/S
- Commercial : Tiger Paw Touring A/S
What Are the Different Sizes of Tiger Paw Tires?
Uniroyal manufactures Tiger Paw tires in many different sizes for millions of cars. The latest model ‘Tiger Paw Touring All-Season’ is available in 114 sizes ranging from 14″ to 21″.
50 of these tires are 18-inch or above to meet the needs of larger SUVs and CUVs. This line will cover around 196 million vehicles running on the road today.
Are Tiger Paw Tires Any Good?
To answer this question, I’ll go through the on-road, off-road, and winter performance of the tires. Comfort and noise levels will also be taken into consideration.
Let’s get started.
How Does the Tiger Paw Tire Perform On-Road?
Thanks to the shoulder trade block pattern, the tire stays firm under pressure. The continuous center rib is responsible for a greater cornering grip. It also improves the steering response for the tire.
Tiger Paw tires have a symmetric design that offers a larger contact area and improves grip and traction for superior on-road performance.
What About Off-Roading?
Uniroyal has introduced two unique technologies to improve the off-road performance of the Tiger Paw tires. The Tru-Form technology distributes the pressure evenly to reduce stress points. Hence, the tire has a solid grip on rough and wet roads.
Another important technology is the Dura Shield tech for reinforcing the steel belts. It offers a heavy gauge line for the tire and increases tire friction and braking power. This overall improves the off-road performance. However, the passengers still face wobbling and discomfort on rough terrains.
Are They Any Good On Snow and Ice?
If you pick the winter tires of this line, they will work fine on snow and ice. Thanks to the tire materials and high-density sipes, these tires have a better grip on ice and snow. They can also dissipate water and resist hydroplaning.
Check out this:
Guess What? I’ve Found Some Drawbacks Too….
- First off, the regular all-season model has an M+S rating. This means it will perform decently on light snow but fails to deal with heavy snow and ice
- Despite having softer rubber material, the tires aren’t very quiet, particularly at higher speeds
- Finally, the overall ride on harder terrains isn’t very comfortable. The tires might lose grip and cause discomfort on rough terrains and wet conditions
Are There Any Good Alternatives Available?
Yes, you can go for other top-rated tires instead of Tiger Paws. Goodyear tires can be a good alternative to Tiger Paw tires.
Although expensive, Goodyear tires are great for long-lasting performance. The brand has achieved reliability by doing extensive housing tests before selling the tires to its customers.
people also ask (FAQs)
1. Does Michelin Manufacture Tiger Paw Tires in Europe?
Well, Michelindoes not provide anything in Europe. However, Continental AG manufactures and operates Uniroyal in Europe and some other countries. Continental AG has owned Uniroyal since 1979.
2. What Are the Top-Selling Tiger Paw Tires?
Tiger PawTouring All-Season tires are probably the highest sold Uniroyal tires of recent time. For winter tires, UNIROYAL Tiger Paw Ice & Snow 3 has also been a popular choice. Other reliable models include Tiger Paw AWP II and Tiger Paw GTZ All Season 2.
3. Are Uniroyal tires made in China?
Unfortunately, Uniroyal doesn’t have any plants in China. The brand has most of its plants in the United States. Other than that, some are also built in Canada, Mexico, Peru, and Colombia.
