Interesting convo with local kia service advisor

[Fa24wrx]

Edited to add: this is NOT a thick vs thin thread. Just wanted to share this convo regarding Kia warranty and oil viscosity.

I brought my wife's 2024 Kia Seltos in for an oil change. I normally do all my own work, but my wife has put 5,500 miles in the 18 months we've owned it, so the 1-2x a year isnt a bank killer. And with Kia's track record, I wanna make sure warranty stays as tight as possible.

I did bring in 6 qts of Valvoline EP 0w20 for them to use with the OEM filter. While the advisor was checking it in, I asked how he felt about going up to 5w30 in the summer (we live in Georgia), and how it affects warranty. He said it will not be an issue. He has seen warranty claims go through regardless of type of oil. He said the main thing is get the changes done somewhere that records it to carfax. He did say there is a claim processing now where the guy did all his own work and "Kia really doesnt like that. They can see you bought the oil but how do they know he did the change."

He said he puts 5w30 in his car, too. But, as far as warranty, 5w30 is fine.

I decided to just stick with the 0w20 V EP I brought in since my wife doesn't drive it super hard and she puts about 3500 miles a year on the kia. I may go up to 5w30 for the next change, but if we've got warranty, and likely won't exceed the 100k mile warranty while we own it, I don't see a need to change.

 

[Urshurak776]

Magnuson Moss Warranty act says you can do all your own maintenance, as long as you have the receipts. The advisor is incorrect. If the "failure" warranty claim was because the oil wasn't changed, it would be pretty obvious.

Shocker.

Unfortunately, even though you can go on CarFax and record your own maintenance, it can't be seen by anyone else. I wish they would change that, but then the problem would be people just update it and don't actually do the maintenance, so......

Unless something changed in the 2024 manuals, all Kia/Hyundai show the chart that says you can use 5W-30. They're just recommendations anyway, typically based on fuel efficiency (CAFE.) From my own ownership and maintenance history with Kia/Hyu, using a thicker oil is advised.....I can't speak for later engines though, I'm not taking that risk until they prove otherwise.

 

[Fa24wrx]

Magnuson Moss Warranty act says you can do all your own maintenance, as long as you have the receipts. The advisor is incorrect.

Shocker.

Unless something changed in the 2024 manuals, all Kia/Hyundai show the chart that says you can use 5W-30. They're just recommendations anyway, typically based on fuel efficiency (CAFE.)

Every body knows about MM warranty act. The problem is going head to head with a corp that can afford way more/better lawyers than would be worth for a kia engine. I'd rather pay $100 more per year for them to use my provided oil than have to deal with it.

 

[Fa24wrx]

Magnuson Moss Warranty act says you can do all your own maintenance, as long as you have the receipts. The advisor is incorrect. If the "failure" warranty claim was because the oil wasn't changed, it would be pretty obvious.

Shocker.

Unless something changed in the 2024 manuals, all Kia/Hyundai show the chart that says you can use 5W-30. They're just recommendations anyway, typically based on fuel efficiency (CAFE.)

He didn't say it's getting rejected. He's saying they don't like it. Ive been told by another advisor here that a customer kept meticulous tracking and they honored the warranty.

 

[Urshurak776]

He didn't say it's getting rejected. He's saying they don't like it. Ive been told by another advisor here that a customer kept meticulous tracking and they honored the warranty.

I'm sure none of the manufacturers like it. They want the money for maintaining the vehicle. They still can't deny your warranty claim if you have receipts for your oil changes you did yourself. I have talked to the Mazda group in my area. They don't seem to care as long as you have the receipts for what you used. Keep a maintenance log also. IN most cases, regardless of manufacturer, it should be fine.

 

[Fa24wrx]

I'm sure none of the manufacturers like it. They want the money for maintaining the vehicle. They still can't deny your warranty claim if you have recipts for your oil changes you did yourself.

I agree. I do my own work (everything maintenance related) on my 2022 wrx that's CPO. I keep SOLID records and take pix/ video.

But let's say you only had receipts. Other than a relatively clean motor, why should they believe you changed the oil on time?

 

[dubber09]

Hmm, a guy would keep buying oil and filters, keep receipts but not do oil changes?

 

[Urshurak776]

Every body knows about MM warranty act. The problem is going head to head with a corp that can afford way more/better lawyers than would be worth for a kia engine. I'd rather pay $100 more per year for them to use my provided oil than have to deal with it.

Certainly your perogative. Worse came to worse, go to a different dealership. I doubt they would deny a claim simply becasue you changed your own oil to be honest. As long as you maintain a log/receipts.

 

[Urshurak776]

I agree. I do my own work (everything maintenance related) on my 2022 wrx that's CPO. I keep SOLID records and take pix/ video.

But let's say you only had receipts. Other than a relatively clean motor, why should they believe you changed the oil on time?

Why wouldn't they believe you, especially with a clean motor?

Who says their oil change jockey actually changed it? Plenty of stories about that too.

If really worried, take pics (like you said you have in the past.)

Honestly, I don't think it would be an issue.

 

[MCompact]

Every body knows about MM warranty act. The problem is going head to head with a corp that can afford way more/better lawyers than would be worth for a kia engine. I'd rather pay $100 more per year for them to use my provided oil than have to deal with it.

When I suffered with a slight bout of irrationality I considered buying a Kia Stinger. A lot of owners were modifying their cars and Kia often denied warranty coverage on those cars. Magnuson Moss was cited frequently. I pointed out that you can’t chant “Magnuson Moss” in the service lane and immediately expect restoration of your warranty. Kia will dig in and a protracted legal battle will ensue. Even worse, having worked on both sides of the bench I can tell you that my dog knows more about automotive technology than 95% of both trial and appellate judge- so there’s that.

 

[4WD]

I agree. I do my own work (everything maintenance related) on my 2022 wrx that's CPO. I keep SOLID records and take pix/ video.

But let's say you only had receipts. Other than a relatively clean motor, why should they believe you changed the oil on time?

True - I had a little stand off at trade time over PM paperwork - pulled out iPhone with the pictures of products - hood open - odometer shots - dirty oil in pan. He got the manager who said that’s more than most have to show - let’s deal !

 

[Urshurak776]

When I suffered with a slight bout of irrationality I considered buying a Kia Stinger. A lot of owners were modifying their cars and Kia often denied warranty coverage on those cars. Magnuson Moss was cited frequently. I pointed out that you can’t chant “Magnuson Moss” in the service lane and immediately expect restoration of your warranty. Kia will dig in and a protracted legal battle will ensue. Even worse, having worked on both sides of the bench I can tell you that my dog knows more about automotive technology than 95% of both trial and appellate judge- so there’s that.

I don't believe "modifications" are covered by the MMA. The owner of the car in this case would be out of luck......

 

[IndyIan]

I agree. I do my own work (everything maintenance related) on my 2022 wrx that's CPO. I keep SOLID records and take pix/ video.

But let's say you only had receipts. Other than a relatively clean motor, why should they believe you changed the oil on time?

It would be good to have a notebook too, and I guess the counter argument is, how do you have a relatively clean motor without doing regular oil changes? I put everything into a google doc and its got version history, so it is easy to see when all the entries were put in. Also whoever inspects the trade-ins at the dealer, can tell in a minute if a car as seen regular oil changes.

 

[Urshurak776]

It would be good to have a notebook too, and I guess the counter argument is, how do you have a relatively clean motor without doing regular oil changes? I put everything into a google doc and its got version history, so it is easy to see when all the entries were put in. Also whoever inspects the trade-ins at the dealer, can tell in a minute if a car as seen regular oil changes.

I update each maintenance interval on the warranty section of the manuals in the glove box. For Mazda anyway, they have several pages laid out for each maintenance interval. I record everything on there. Receipts go in a big envelope (oil / filters I buy online most of the time, so I have access to my purchase history if I need to print it out.)

 

[Fa24wrx]

It would be good to have a notebook too, and I guess the counter argument is, how do you have a relatively clean motor without doing regular oil changes? I put everything into a google doc and its got version history, so it is easy to see when all the entries were put in. Also whoever inspects the trade-ins at the dealer, can tell in a minute if a car as seen regular oil changes.

I keep a notebook, save physical receipts, take pix of receipts and upload each service into carfax app and MySubaru App the day of service.

 

[MCompact]

I don't believe "modifications" are covered by the MMA. The owner of the car in this case would be out of luck......

Actually, modifications are covered in that the manufacturer would have to prove the modification caused the failure. What I have seen happen is a manufacturer will attempt to void an entire warranty just because of one modification.

 

[Urshurak776]

Actually, modifications are covered in that the manufacturer would have to prove the modification caused the failure. What I have seen happen is a manufacturer will attempt to void an entire warranty just because of one modification.

True.

 

[Kestas]

I bought my oil 50 qts at a time off the internet, when brand name synthetic was $2 a qt. Same with oil filters. It would be difficult for me to show receipts.

 

[D60]

Again, on principle alone I'm unwilling to let a dealer or auto manufacturer think they can lock me in to oil changes ONLY from them.

It's like inkjets: sell the printer and you're guaranteed income from the ink for years. Ditto for razors.

The potential for abuse is too great. What if the dealer decides an oil change is $150? $200? $300? You better stay with those dealer oil changes to avoid hand wringing over warranty!

Our market only works if competition exists and consumers have choices. I will not reward a dealer for fear-mongering. The more you try to control me with fear, the more I resist (see also: 2020)

 

[ARCOgraphite]

I agree. I do my own work (everything maintenance related) on my 2022 wrx that's CPO. I keep SOLID records and take pix/ video.

But let's say you only had receipts. Other than a relatively clean motor, why should they believe you changed the oil on time?

I also keep the filters I take off along with the boxes. Drained in a nice carboard flat, covered with plastic sheeting in the basement
Takes up about 1 & 1/2 sq feet. I have been told by guys on here to basically don't bother. I see it as additional concrete evidence.
Also if there was a engine failure, possibly engineers could look at the media for evidence when the failure started.
- Arco