'How Does Nobody Know This?’: Colorado Man Says His EV ‘Eats Tires.’ Then He Finds Out How To Get Free Tires

When a TikTok creator announced he might be getting free tires for his EV thanks to a nearly forgotten treadwear warranty clause, the first people to weigh in weren’t skeptics. They were tire-shop employees wondering why no one talks about this.

The clip from Colorado-based creator Jason Brooks (@jasonbrooks4) is a top-level hack for EV owners who are alarmed at the wear on their tires,and the cost of replacing them with less than 20,000 miles of use.

“[The warranty] says that if you run them down to 2/32nds of an inch and they're not at 40,000 miles, they'll give you a free set of [expletive] tires,” Brooks said in the clip that’s been viewed more than 82,000 times. “They're never gonna last that long. So I just got free... I paid $1,400 for lifetime tires, basically.”

Brooks drives a 2024 Kia EV6 GT, a 576-hp performance EV capable of 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds. Like many high-powered electric vehicles, the GT combines heavy curb weight of over 4,700 pounds with instant torque, a recipe that accelerates tire wear.

Multiple tire manufacturers have confirmed that electric vehicles place higher load stress on tires, requiring reinforced sidewalls, stiffer compounds, and EV-specific tread patterns. Michelin, Goodyear, Pirelli, and others have published technical documentation on increased EV wear characteristics.

Still, most EV owners don’t expect tire life to be cut in half, which is what Brooks says happened: around 16,000 miles before reaching the threshold where traction decreases and replacement becomes necessary. Tire Rack describes 4/32" as the point where wet-weather performance drops significantly.

Warranty Clause Sparked A Frenzy

Brooks says he turned to ChatGPT for clarity on treadwear warranties, then pulled the documentation for the Toyo Celsius Sport, which lists a 40,000-mile treadwear warranty for V- and W-speed-rated models.

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The key sentence in Toyo’s own materials: Eligible tires that reach 2/32" of remaining tread before the mileage limit may qualify for free replacement, assuming all conditions are met, including:

• Proper tire rotation at manufacturer-recommended intervals
• Documentation (receipts or logs) proving those rotations
• No signs of misalignment or uneven wear
• Tires used on the same vehicle for the entire service life
• No use for commercial or track applications

Those requirements are fairly standard across the industry. Treadwear warranties from major manufacturers are almost always contingent on documentation and even wear, as described by Tire Industry Association guidelines.

Brooks claims he has rotated the tires twice in 8,000 miles and expects them to reach 2/32" again before he hits even 20,000 miles, which was far short of the 40,000-mile warranty limit.

What makes this clip different from typical viral warranty hacks is the volume of tire techs confirming the basic idea, even as they warn that the process isn’t as generous as Brooks suggests.

“I work at a tire shop… I wish I thought to spread this information,” one commenter wrote. Others said they regularly process prorated claims for customers who meet requirements.

Still, many warned that EV drivers run into a predictable obstacle: Even the slightest uneven wear can void treadwear protection. A popular response put it bluntly:

“UNEVEN WEAR will void every EV. I have yet to see one that doesn’t have an alignment issue.”

There’s real truth to that. EV alignment precision is critical because small variations become amplified under high torque. Other commenters described tire shops using different measurement tools that may produce slightly different depth readings.

Brooks’ clip emphasized one key point: Rotate your tires every 5,000-6,000 miles and save the receipts. That aligns with Toyo’s recommendation, and nearly every major manufacturer has similar conditions.

A common question in the comments about the value of DIY rotation count is more challenging to answer. Many tire manufacturers require professional documentation, though some will accept mileage logs and self-recorded maintenance if the policy explicitly allows it. Several tire techs in the comments urge EV owners to stick with professional rotations to avoid disputes.

Will He Actually Get Free Tires?

Some professionals cast doubt on Brooks’ interpretation. One commenter claiming to work in the industry said, “You will never get a free set of tires. You will always get a prorated warranty.” Others insisted they’ve seen full-replacement treadwear claims honored, just not often on performance tires or EVs.

It’s important to note that many summer performance tires carry no treadwear warranty at all, and some tire makers have begun adding EV-specific restrictions to mileage guarantees due to increased load and torque.

Toyo’s policy does not currently list an EV exclusion for the Celsius Sport, but warranty terms can change as manufacturers gather more EV-specific wear data.

Brooks closes the video by urging viewers to “look at your tire warranties, man. Just stop paying full price.” In that sense, his message is less about gaming the system and more about making use of a consumer protection most drivers forget exists.

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Whether Brooks ultimately receives a free set of replacement Toyos remains to be seen. He has promised a follow-up video once the tires reach 2/32" and he makes the claim. For now, the viral clip is a reminder that the fastest-wearing component on a modern EV is the tires, not the battery or motor. And understanding the fine print may save drivers hundreds of dollars long before their next charging bill.

InsideEVs reached out to Brooks via direct message and comment on the clip. We’ll be sure to update this if they respond.

 

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