Taking care of your vehicle is obviously important. And some of the most important work you can have done for your vehicle is regular routine maintenance. Much of this maintenance work is covered under a warranty, if the car is a newer model. The fact is, all new vehicles come with a warranty. This helps protect you from expensive repairs if something goes wrong early in the vehicles life. Many car owners take their vehicles to the dealer for routine maintenance. But just because you purchased a vehicle from a dealer that doesnt mean you have to have it serviced there.
Do You Have to Use a Dealer to Keep Your Warranty Valid?
Some dealerships might tell customers that their vehicles must be serviced with them, or their warranty will be voided. Is that legal? Can a dealer refuse to honor your vehicles warranty if you take it somewhere else for repairs or maintenance? The answer is no. According to the Federal trade Commission (FTC), its illegal for a dealer to deny your warranty coverage simply because you had routine maintenance or repairs performed by someone else. These services include, but are not limited to:
Tire rotations
Fluid checks
Oil changes
New brake pads
Belt replacements
New filters
A dealer might tell you that they have to do the routine repairs and maintenance on your vehicle if you want to keep your warranty in tact. But the truth is, you, or any auto repair shop can also do the work and still keep your warranty valid. In fact, its illegal for a dealer to even make that claim. On the other hand, if you are going to receive any service free of charge based on the warranty, then the dealer or manufacturer can require you to use a repair shop of their choice.
Will My Warranty Be Voided if I Mess Up a Repair?
There are other factors to consider. If you or another mechanic makes a mistake while servicing your vehicle and that mistake causes worse damage, then the manufacturer or dealer could refuse to honor your warranty. For example, if you use the wrong kind of oil when doing an oil change and it damages the engine, the dealer could void the warranty for that particular part or repair. If your chosen mechanic replaces a belt and it causes engine problems, then your warranty might not cover the repairs fro that, either However, the dealer would have to prove that there was a faulty repair and that it did cause the damage.
Other Warranty Factors
Your vehicles warranty is obviously very valuable. It can help save you a lot of money, especially if something serious happens. Here are some things you should know about to get the most out of your vehicles warranty.
Know Your Warranty always read your entire warranty so you completely understand what it covers. Its a good idea to know every little detail.
Know How Long it Lasts you should also be very aware of the warranty time period. That way you can be sure you wont miss an opportunity to get something repaired while its still under warranty.
Stick to a Schedule its also a good idea to have your vehicle serviced on a regular schedule. By following the manufacturers recommended service and maintenance schedule, your vehicle is more likely to keep running smoothly.
Save All Your Service Records whenever you have any service performed, save all the records and details of the service. This will help you stick to your schedule and it could also protect you in the event theres ever a question about your warranty.
Contact Hoesly Eco Automotive for Any Service or Repair
If you dont want to pay dealer prices but you want the same quality service, then come see us at Hoesly Eco Automotive. Well take care of all of your vehicles service needs. And youll never have to worry about your warranty being voided. Our master mechanics do the job right every time. So, if youve asked why does my car make that sound, lately; or why does my car stall in the morning, or anything else, then its time to bring it in to Hoesly Eco Automotive. Just call us or click here to set up an appointment online.
We are your trusted auto repair shop in Vancouver WA for:
Mazda auto repair in Vancouver, WA
Toyota auto repair in Vancouver, WA
Honda auto repair in Vancouver, WA
Subaru auto repair in Vancouver, WA
Nissan auto repair in Vancouver, WA
Hybrid auto repair in Vancouver, WA
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