My Dodge is still under warranty and says 3 month/3000 mile OCI severe and 6 month/6000 mile normal OCI, the manual also goes on to say that most drivers fall under the severe category (which includes any stop and go driving). If you have records showing that you've changed the oil at 6 month/6000 intervals how can they prove that you belong under the "severe" category? I was thinking about just doing Mobil 1 every 6 months (I drive about 10,000-12,000 miles per year).
Warranty and OCI
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They can't. 6K is a piece of cake, regardless.
Evidence of oil breakdown such as sludge and varnish could give DaimlerChrysler grist for a warranty claim denial. While that possibility is very much reduced with a full synthetic such as Mobil 1, just be aware that if the unlikliest worst happens, DaimlerChrysler might elect to gird for battle in open court. (The burden of proof that your decision to extend oil/filter changes resulted in damage would be on them, not on you to prove otherwise. The matter probably comes down to how much potential hassle are you willing to risk...)
This was posted by epolk-most excellent post:
"Respectfully, that's dead wrong! I do happen to be a lawyer (at least I was before the USMC "invited" me back... ) , let me explain. In the US, new car warranties are governed by the Moss-Magunson Warranty Act (MMWA). Although the wty may have the trappings of a contract, and has some characteristics of a contract, anything in it that purports to give you lesser or fewer rights than the MMWA requires is simply not enforceable.
More importantly, Ray is right. If the mfr does say "denied" and you take them to court, THE MANUFACTURER must prove that the failure was a result of something you (or some third party) did, as opposed to being a result of a manufacturing defect. If they can't prove this, they lose, period. And they get to pay for your attorney's and fees, in most cases. They may bluff at you some, but if and when you show up with a lawyer who knows what he or she is doing, they'll settle up unless they've got iron clad proof that you're at fault.
And pertinent to this thread, merely not changing oil when the mfr recommends is NOT proof of anything. The easiest wty case for an owner to win is when the mfr or dealer admits up front that they're denying a claim because you didn't follow the schedule. No such "penalty" is allowed. They can only deny the claim if they can prove a causal LINK to the claimed failure. And even if they do, the wty is still in full force as to any other unrelated defects.
EDIT: The MMWA does NOT generally apply to those after-marked extended wtys, so with those, you do need to do what's set out in the agreement. But don't let a mfr buffalo you about the protection in your standard wty."
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=015645;p=1
"Respectfully, that's dead wrong! I do happen to be a lawyer (at least I was before the USMC "invited" me back... ) , let me explain. In the US, new car warranties are governed by the Moss-Magunson Warranty Act (MMWA). Although the wty may have the trappings of a contract, and has some characteristics of a contract, anything in it that purports to give you lesser or fewer rights than the MMWA requires is simply not enforceable.
More importantly, Ray is right. If the mfr does say "denied" and you take them to court, THE MANUFACTURER must prove that the failure was a result of something you (or some third party) did, as opposed to being a result of a manufacturing defect. If they can't prove this, they lose, period. And they get to pay for your attorney's and fees, in most cases. They may bluff at you some, but if and when you show up with a lawyer who knows what he or she is doing, they'll settle up unless they've got iron clad proof that you're at fault.
And pertinent to this thread, merely not changing oil when the mfr recommends is NOT proof of anything. The easiest wty case for an owner to win is when the mfr or dealer admits up front that they're denying a claim because you didn't follow the schedule. No such "penalty" is allowed. They can only deny the claim if they can prove a causal LINK to the claimed failure. And even if they do, the wty is still in full force as to any other unrelated defects.
EDIT: The MMWA does NOT generally apply to those after-marked extended wtys, so with those, you do need to do what's set out in the agreement. But don't let a mfr buffalo you about the protection in your standard wty."
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=015645;p=1
Also, and what I garnered here and there on the web, the key words are Required or Recommend. I spent 8 years as a Deputy, and although criminal law is more up my alley, to understand some things of law was nearly a necessity.
The key word here is "recommended". Say I buy a new 2006 Buick with the 5 year 50,000 mile warranty , and after about 500 to 1000 miles I change to synthetic and change the oil.. I even do it myself, no record or anything that I took it to a garage. I don't change the oil for 45,000 miles. Am I still under warranty? Yes! They make the statement of recommend, where if they made the statement required, it would be illegal and unenforcable unless they physically and at their cost provided me with oil changes and filter all at their cost.
So, in my belief, anyone that changes oil to synthetic, or dino, or whatever oil filter, as LONG AS IT IS within the SAE specs for that engine,and that filter (I don't know any filter that is not within the realm of accepted), then you are fully covered.
anyway.. that's my 2 cents worth.
The key word here is "recommended". Say I buy a new 2006 Buick with the 5 year 50,000 mile warranty , and after about 500 to 1000 miles I change to synthetic and change the oil.. I even do it myself, no record or anything that I took it to a garage. I don't change the oil for 45,000 miles. Am I still under warranty? Yes! They make the statement of recommend, where if they made the statement required, it would be illegal and unenforcable unless they physically and at their cost provided me with oil changes and filter all at their cost.
So, in my belief, anyone that changes oil to synthetic, or dino, or whatever oil filter, as LONG AS IT IS within the SAE specs for that engine,and that filter (I don't know any filter that is not within the realm of accepted), then you are fully covered.
anyway.. that's my 2 cents worth.
I can guarantee you if you don't change the oil for 45,000 miles and the engine fails, there is no way you are getting warranty. That is a ridiculous notion.
Of course Brent in that type of case it would be negligence. What is being talked about is denial of warranty when the oil or lack of maintenance did NOT actually harm anything.
Case if point is just how do they know you didn't change it every 3,000 miles or every 6,000 miles or 7,500 miles? How do they know you didn't put in a bypass filter and change it every so often? How do they know you did not put in longer interval mileage oil like the Amsoil 5w30 or 10w30? What proof, if you changed it youself, that you ACTUALLY changed the oil and filter at 3,000 miles, the "recommended" rate? Brett, I'm not asking you to belive what I say as gospel, just check it out. Big difference on those 2 words "recommend" and "required". Look at this link at question 11. http://www.gulfcoastfilters.com/Frequent Questions.htm#11
If Pablo changed his oil to Amsoil and put in a bypass filter, checked his oil peroidically to see if it is functional, then if he were to have 45,000 miles on the engine, they would have to PROVE that it was the oil quality that caused damage to the engine part in question. If the oil pump would go out in his new car after 25,000 miles, and his oil analysis showed the oil to be qualified to be in the vehicle, then they owe him a new oil pump.
If Pablo changed his oil to Amsoil and put in a bypass filter, checked his oil peroidically to see if it is functional, then if he were to have 45,000 miles on the engine, they would have to PROVE that it was the oil quality that caused damage to the engine part in question. If the oil pump would go out in his new car after 25,000 miles, and his oil analysis showed the oil to be qualified to be in the vehicle, then they owe him a new oil pump.
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