DYI Oil Changes--Warranty

[Snowflaque]

I just bought a 7yr/100,000 mile Certified SCION and plan to change my own oil. I buy oil by the case and filters in large quantities so keeping receipts for every change is not a good option.

Do you think a service log--date and mileage--would be enough for warranty coverage?

if not, what should I do?

does anybody know of a case where Warranty coverage has been denied for lack of proof of oil changes?
thank
John

 

[wavinwayne]

A service log is a very good thing to keep. Another good thing would be to take a few pictures of what you are doing at each oil change. Print the pictures & add them to your log book.

If you are a DIY oil changer, I suppose the dealer might give you a hard time if you ever have an oil-related engine warranty claim. If you are actually performing the oil changes as req'd however, the dealer would not really have a leg upon which to stand to deny your warranty.

With that said, if you ever have a warranty claim, I believe any service manager worth his weight in shop grease would be able to distinguish between a car that is obviously neglected, & one that is well cared for.

 

[thooks]

Just keep the receipts for the oil and filters. Keep a log as to when you changed it.

It's pretty easy to tell if the engine has had any maintenance or not once it's opened up. If yours was to fail, it's not gonna be the first one they open up and look at.

 

[Dave Hess]

what type of car did you buy ?

 

[Ray H]

Materials receipts and a log of what and when required services are performed are both necessary in the event of a warranty claim. It's NOT necessary to have a seperate receipt for each filter and individual fluid (engine or transmission fluid) change quantity amount - a receipt for the large quantities you buy will be sufficient as long as that quantity (or multiples if you've had to restock your supplies) is sufficient to cover the number of fluid and filter changes up to the point of a powertrain warranty claim. The courts have consistently accepted the submission of a log and receipts as sufficient evidence that the service was performed. But keep the receipts and log in an envelope IN THE CAR since the car manufacturer's agent (typically the dealer's service manager, though it could include inspection by a manufacturer rep.) has the right to inspect them at the time a warranty claim is requested. You might be obligated to allow copies to be made, but NEVER surrender or allow those receipts and your log out of your sight. They're your only proof that you peformed the required maintenance. If the dealer or manufacturer question whether your maintenance was incorrectly performed, politely invite them to prove it in court. It's their burden to prove incompetence, not yours to prove otherwise.

(By the way, what's a certified Scion?)

[ January 16, 2006, 11:55 AM: Message edited by: Ray H ]

 

[V-MAX]

Snowflaque,

I worked for a few different car dealers and they all required receipts...no exceptions! You must save your receipts when you purchase your maintenance items. You don't have to keep them organized in any way, you just have to have them for proof that you bought the maintenance items. Put them in an envelope for safekeeping. As mentioned above, keep a good log of the service you perform and you won't have any problems.

Jeff