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Oh, the things we do to our cars. We tow boats with our Minis, tie dressers to the tops of our convertibles, and modify our SUVs to resemble monster truck contestants. Yet we don’t realize until our cars fail us that what we’re doing today could be voiding our auto warranties, leaving us without any recourse.
Not everyone abuses their cars. Still, there are things we do—or fail to do—that could be putting our warranties in jeopardy. Here are some common issues that could spell trouble:
Proper maintenance of your vehicle is required by all manufacturers in order to maintain your auto warranty. That’s why many manufacturers give new car buyers a period of free scheduled maintenance. If you fail to maintain the car, your warranty will not cover any damages resulting from that neglect.
Thanks to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, car owners are not required to use dealer-based service centers in order to keep their warranties active. However, in order to prove to the manufacturer that you had the regular maintenance performed, you should be saving your receipts. Otherwise, you have no proof and they have no legal reason to honor your warranty.
When my daughter dropped a television on her laptop, I knew the manufacturer wouldn’t care – and didn’t have any contractual obligation to fix it—likewise for your car. If you have an accident and your insurance company totals the car or issues a salvage title for it (should you still want to drive it), your manufacturer’s warranty is void.
Rumors that modifying your car’s appearance affects the warranty are mostly false. Cosmetic changes don’t void any warranty that I’m aware of. However, if you modify the tire or rim size on your car to the point where it affects your suspension system, there goes your warranty. Lift kits are a no-no if your car is still under warranty. The same goes for engine boosters or anything that modifies engine performance.
Towing something heavier than your owner’s manual recommends can kill your transmission, your engine, and leave you with no car because it also voids your warranty. If you’re driving a small car with a 4-cylinder engine, chances are slim your car is capable of handling the extra weight. When in doubt, check your manual or call the auto manufacturer. Do not take it on faith that the guy who sold you the trailer knows your car. He doesn’t.
If you get the wrong wiper blade, you’re fine. However, if you replace your synthetic oil with non-synthetic and your car manufacturer specifically requires synthetic, you have just voided your warranty, not to mention increased your risk of damaging your car.
Your car is a huge financial investment. Take care of it with proper maintenance, avoid modifications that could harm its performance, and make sure to use it in the way the manufacturer intended it to be used. When in doubt, consult your owner’s manual. A little care and caution could keep your car warranty covering you for the duration of the agreement.
Photo credit: morgueFile