Warranty - So you can't change your own oil?

[byez]

Please help me understand this. If you have a warranty and you don't change your oil at a warranty approved place, the warranty is invalid? Does this relate to just the engine or any warranty work on any part of the vehicle? A receipt showing an oil filter & oil from an auto store is not enough proof?

Personally I would probably take the chance and do it myself and use a high quality oil & filter, especially if I am planning on keeping a car past warranty.

 

[paul246]

I checked with my dealer about doing my own maintenance after I bought my Honda Accord , including oil changes. The service manager said "no problem", as long as I kept receipts and did the maintenance within the specified time/mileage intervals. It doesn't affect the warranty.

 

[jimgliden]

This is not an issue if you have documents to back up your service claims.

In disclosure I'm a service manager at a large GM shop.

 

[wavinwayne]

I'm sure the laws regarding vehicle warranties are different in Canada than here in the USA. You guys up there might actually have some law on the books that says a warranty-approved shop must service your vehicle.

 

[chet2]

the warranty is pretty iron clad...they really cant deny a repair by people who change their own oil...the stealership can tell usually if the engine has been abused..most powertrains are bulletproof nowadays, that is why they have 100k warranties...i have never had any problems with the 5 new american cars i have bought..of course i am anal when it comes to oil...most of the nuts on this site are a car companies dream when it comes to engine maintenance

 

[Tosh]

Keep a log or sign and date the spot in the owner's manual and keep all receipts, and you have done your bit. (A stealer can still prey on uninformed customers.)

Does Canada have funny rules about this?

 

[MrCritical]

In the U.S. you have no problems with receipts and/or logbook. I like the logbook when done properly. It's obvious that you didn't write all the entries at one time.

Be sure to stick with the manufacturer's recommended weight oil.

 

[Mr_Incredible]

I had an engine go bad about 1991 (at 66k miles) on a Chevy pickup. The head gasket had let go.

I noted that I'd been changing oil regularly (using M1) and whipped out a BIG wad of receipts. The service manager simply rolled his eyes and said, "Ok. You're covered."

The mechanic went nuts about how clean the cylinders were and how much of the crosshatch was there. I guess he didn't see many good ones once they got bad enough to be opened up...

 

[bdcardinal]

what about a case such as BMW? where they provide free scheduled maintainence throughout the warranty period? especially when it comes to the M cars that require 10w60. i know the magnussen moss act says that a manufacturer can only require you to use a specific product if it is provided free of charge, so i think BMW has circumvented the rules.

 

[XS650]

Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
what about a case such as BMW? where they provide free scheduled maintainence throughout the warranty period? especially when it comes to the M cars that require 10w60. i know the magnussen moss act says that a manufacturer can only require you to use a specific product if it is provided free of charge, so i think BMW has circumvented the rules.



Right, they make you take their free service. Bad BMW, no strudel for you.

 

[MrCritical]

In a way I can see the manufacturer's point of view. The life of your engine relies on someone else's product you have no control over whatsoever.

 

[Saturn_Fan]

On my new car I bought a composition book where I write a narrative of what I did on that date with the receipt stapled right to the page. Probably don't need to, but I provide a short narrative like:

"Changed the required 4.5 quarts of oil with Pennzoil 5w30 and an Amsoil EAO-09 oil filter. Next change will be at 10,000 miles. Plan on continuing with Pennzoil conventional until (date) and then will switch to Pennzoil Platinum synthetic." To the right of each summary the invoice/receipt is highlighted and stapled directly to edge of the page.

Maybe overkill, but when I sell the Corolla I might get a little more for it down the road.

 

[VeeDubb]

I used to change my oil in my old Volvo when it was out of warranty. Things are much less clearcut with a new car. I have a vw and a toyota both under warranty. I also have two very competent dealers who have never screwed anything up, are honest, and don't overcharge. The VW dealer charges $24 when I bring my own oil - they supply the filter, top off fluids, vacuum my car and wash it. Plus they have all my records so no need to sweat warranty issues. My toyota dealer charges $16 when I bring my own oil. To me, this is well worth it.

But if I was dealing with overpriced incompetents, then I would definitely change my own oil even if under warranty.

 

[rpn453]

"Warranty Approved" for most vehicles means using oil with API SM/ILSAC GF-4 certification.

 

[byez]

So what about extended drains? Does the factory service manual have to be folllowed to a tee? Transmission/diff intervals included?

 

[MrCritical]

If you want warranty coverage, you must follow the recommended maintenance. They're not going to be in a generous mood no matter what oil you use when you have an engine failure on a 10k oil change.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: MrCritical
If you want warranty coverage, you must follow the recommended maintenance. They're not going to be in a generous mood no matter what oil you use when you have an engine failure on a 10k oil change.

What if it was a GM vehicle? The OLM does allow up to 12,500 miles or one year between services, correct?

 

[cmhj]

Originally Posted By: byez
If you have a warranty and you don't change your oil at a warranty approved place, the warranty is invalid?




I don't know Canadian laws so I'll go by US laws and over 20 years of writing warranty claims.

Yes. After all a warranty is a contract. Read your owners manual and within it is given a set of guide lines that you agree to to abide by when buying a new vehicle.

However, In the US a manufacture must prove that what was or wasn't done caused the failure. While this can be costly to defend versus the few pennies proper maintenance costs it is an option for the risk takers, which is partially why I use Amsoil for my extended drains.

 

[rpn453]

Originally Posted By: byez
So what about extended drains? Does the factory service manual have to be folllowed to a tee? Transmission/diff intervals included?


I'd stick to their maintenance schedule while under warranty and avoid any potential hassle. I usually either follow the manual or do even more frequent maintenance than is recommended anyway. Most give a "normal service" oil change interval of 7500 miles or more.

 

[Cutehumor]

yeah, I like to know if an engine failed with 10k oci with GM engines, but they used the OLM as a guide to change oil. dealership stance?