Like just about every other high-dollar purchase, new (and certified pre-owned) vehicles come with a “car warranty.” The warranty is there to protect you from car defects, which means that if something breaks and it’s the manufacturer’s fault, they’ll cover it. What the warranty doesn’t do is give you a free license to do whatever you want to the car. There are several things that will change what the car warranty covers and even void it.
Different Types of Warranty’s that Fall Under a Car Warranty
New vehicles come with several warranties pertaining to defects from the manufacturer, including the following:
- Powertrain Warranty: This warranty covers most things that make the vehicle run, including the engine, differential, center differential, transmission, drive axles, transaxle, transfer case, and more.
- Comprehensive Warranty: Also known as a “bumper to bumper” warranty, this option covers everything except the powertrain.
- Tire Warranty: The manufacturer of the tires installed on the new car provides this warranty.
- Emissions warranty: The federal government and several states mandate the Emissions warranty. The emissions warranty covers anything that is emissions-related.
Things That Can Void Your Warranty
- Misuse of the Vehicle: This phrase can be construed in a wide range of ways. Potentially, anything outside of the normal operation of a new car can be considered misuse, including racing and competitions of any kind, off-roading, and overloading the vehicle.
- Neglect of the Recommended Maintenance: Neglecting maintenance recommended in the owner’s manual can result in a voided car warranty. This also includes not using the recommended fluids listed in the owner’s manual and performing your car service that causes damage to a component that requires repair.
- Natural Disaster Damage: If your vehicle was damaged in a flood, fire, earthquake, or another environmental disaster, the manufacturer won’t honor the warranty.
- Altering the Odometer: If the car’s odometer has been tampered with, disconnected, or replaced, the dealer won’t establish the exact mileage. This typically causes a voided warranty.
Don’t assume all vehicle manufacturers handle car warranty claims or complications the same way, so you need to understand what isn’t covered by your car warranty.
Remember to keep receipts and records, no matter who performs the service. This includes tire rotations, oil changes, new brake pads, belt replacement, inspections, and more. You’ll be able to use the receipts as proof that the car was properly maintained. If you choose to do your own car maintenance, keep receipts for the parts used.
Prevent Problems with Proper Maintenance
You can prevent expensive problems by having the manufacturer-recommended maintenance performed on your car at regular intervals. You don’t necessarily need to have the dealership do the work; just make sure the auto repair facility you take the car to has a good reputation and uses OEM parts and manufacturer-approved oil. Doing so will keep your vehicle running smoothly and its car warranty intact.
Don’t risk voiding your car warranty. Get your maintenance done by certified technicians. Contact us today.
