Oil changes for warranty

[Urshurak776]

I just keep the store receipts from my oil and filter purchases and keep a paper log where I write down the date, mileage, and what services were performed. I put those in a folder with any other receipts for things like tire and battery purchases. I've yet to ever be asked to present this documentation to get a warranty repair completed.

This right here. Nothing wrong with buying in bulk, as long as you have receipts and document each maintenance interval. I keep a log in the glove box of each vehicle, along with an envelope for receipts. If it's a bulk order, for all my vehicles, I run a copy for each car, plus keep an electronic copy. Oil filter box gets the part number/UPC torn off and put with the receipt with date of install written on it.

Really should't be a problem. Pretty easy to figure out whether someone has been changing the oil or not. If you break out the documentation, it's on them to prove it was something you did or used that caused the failure.

 

[duck__dodgers]

re. oil change documentation

I don't know about Acura off the top of my head, but if you read the warranty document, there likely is an clause saying that all disputes from the warranty (like a claim denial) will head to arbitration.

Then it will up to the arbitration judge to decide if XYZ documentation is enough to prove that lapsed customer maintenance was not a factor at a hearing between you and Acura (or any other car maker).

I imagine that there already is case law/arbitration examples....but I'm too lazy to google it.

And good examples might not be on Google but only on Lexis/Nexis (a subscription service that is the legal Google).

 

[Ronin73]

I vote A. In my situation, I buy the oil and filter that I want to use, take it to the Ford dealer and have them do all the labor, plus the work is officially in Ford's system. I have a Ford credit card that I buy gas on monthly and then pay it off. Doing that, I have built up so many FordPass points that I use them to pay for the labor, inspection, and tire rotation. (What Ford dealers call "The Works").

 

[GMBoy]

Do it yourself and go get those auto invoice/receipts you can buy at Walmart or a stationary store. Fill your own invoice out.

 

[The Critic]

Do it yourself and go get those auto invoice/receipts you can buy at Walmart or a stationary store. Fill your own invoice out.

But anyone can do that. How will you prove that the oil change was actually completed?

 

[BrendanC]

i change the oil on a few vehicles still under warranty. i print the invoice, specify how much oil of what brand & weight went in, specify the oil filter brand & model, document the mileage and engine hours if applicable. no issues on a 21’ silverado 1500 when it ate a lifter.

 

[GMBoy]

But anyone can do that. How will you prove that the oil change was actually completed?

How can they prove it wasn't done? But I get your point - the burden of proof is on the owner. He will also have his oil/filter reciepts. Even purchased in bulk still counts.

 

[Corollaman]

How can they prove it wasn't done? But I get your point - the burden of proof is on the owner. He will also have his oil/filter reciepts. Even purchased in bulk still counts.

On most newer vehicles with direct injection and turbo charged engines I would think it would be pretty obvious if a vehicle owner hasn't been doing maintenance.

 

[TiGeo]

BUT HOW WILL YOU PROOOOOOVE IT?

 

[GMBoy]

On most newer vehicles with direct injection and turbo charged engines I would think it would be pretty obvious if a vehicle owner hasn't been doing maintenace

DI engines will build carbon regardless of oil change interval so they would not be able to base the service on that one aspect. They would be able to tell, however, if there is sludge in the motor and such.

 

[The Critic]

DI engines will build carbon regardless of oil change interval so they would not be able to base the service on that one aspect. They would be able to tell, however, if there is sludge in the motor and such.

Here’s the wildcard:
What if the engine is perfectly clean, but the technician had to seek tech line approval for the engine replacement….and the tech line requested to see oil change records?

 

[Vinner210210]

I used to go to the dealership when my vehicle still had CPO warranty and when the previous service manager was great.

They would let me bring my own oil jug in and I would pay for their labor and OEM filter (think their charges came to around $35 w/ their filter). So basically, a synthetic oil change for around $50-60 instead of their upcharged $80-100 "whatever synthetic bulk oil" change special they were running.

Slightly more expensive than doing it myself but gave ease of mind for simpler maintenance records for warranty purposes, and they gave me loaner cars to test drive while work was being done.

 

[rekit]

I've always avoided the Dealer as much as possible in my 55 years of driving but bought the wife a used Subaru from the Dealership and bought the extended warranty. Never had a Subie before, mostly Toyotas and decided to take it there for the O/Cs and services, at least during the warranty. Has the CVT and all wheel drive, so there's that. Anyway, it's $100 for the OC and tire rotation, it's documented, they wash it and vacuum it, and last time we did the 30k service (supposedly)-brake fluid, diff, etc. 3hours. Anyway they called us an Uber and we went out for lunch and Uber picked us up. They took care of the tip, too. So not too painful and I always mark the filter and tires, so far so good. The new cars and parts are just so expensive now I don't wanna give them an easy way out when something breaks.

 

[GMBoy]

Here’s the wildcard:
What if the engine is perfectly clean, but the technician had to seek tech line approval for the engine replacement….and the tech line requested to see oil change records?

Yes, for sure that could be an issue.

 

[Gus_Mahn]

I’ve never worried too much about this. My understanding is that legally it must be proven that something that you did or didn’t do caused the failure that’s being denied for warranty. If there’s no sludge, how can they say the oil hasn’t been changed.

 

[TiGeo]

I’ve never worried too much about this. My understanding is that legally it must be proven that something that you did or didn’t do caused the failure that’s being denied for warranty. If there’s no sludge, how can they say the oil hasn’t been changed.

Sure...but are you financially prepared to lawyer-up if that was necessary? Easier to just have clear service records so there isn't any need also quite a bit of precedent that manufacturers/dealers will ask for it in some warranty claim cases.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

I could see this being an issue decades ago when only a couple of automakers were recommending 20 grades but today other than sludge there's really no wrong oil argument.

 

[kschachn]

Plus even if you are going to the dealership, you can ask that they use an oil you want rather than the one that's recommended in the owner's manual. That's what I did with my Tiguan, I asked they use VW 504 00 oil instead of 508 00.

 

[hrv]

for all Honda and Acura owners you can log into the Honda site and go to my garage and log all of you maint. online along with dealer service and warranty work that they post on your site..It is very handy and easy to use...

 

[TiGeo]

You can also use Carfax I believe and upload your own service records for those that are looking for more than receipts/spreadhsheet type records.