Have you ever been told you had to bring your vehicle back to your dealership for service or you would void your manufacturer warranty? If you have, this is just one of the many myths that plague new car owners. So much so, they can sometimes become confused as to where they can bring their automobile for servicing and what is covered under the warranty. This blog post should dispel the most common myths associated with automotive manufacturer warranties.
According to Shade Tree Garage’s owner, John O’Connor, “There are several typical questions new vehicle owners have when it comes to service and repair issues and their manufacturer’s warranty. There’s a lot of misinformation about repairs and warranties, and we’d like to help car owners separate the facts from fiction so they get the best service for their vehicle.”
If your vehicle is new and under a manufacturer’s warranty, where should you take it for oil changes and routine maintenance? You can take your vehicle to an independent mechanic (like Shade Tree Garage), to your dealership or you yourself can do the routine maintenance and repairs on your vehicle. Doing so will not void the warranty. In fact, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, makes it illegal for manufacturers or dealers to claim that your warranty is void because someone other than the dealer did the work.
What type of coverage does your manufacturer’s warranty provide? O’Connor says, “When purchasing your vehicle, each manufacturer has different warranty options and coverages. When it comes to repairs, it’s important to know what type of warranty you have with your vehicle.” Bumper-to-bumper and Powertrain warranties are the most common. The items covered under the vehicle’s warranty will be repaired by your dealer at no charge to you. On the other hand, you will be responsible for the costs associated with maintenance on items that need to be replaced due to normal wear and tear (e.g. oil, brakes and tires).
What types of things would void the manufacturer’s warranty? Remember, no matter where you have your vehicle serviced, it is important to have it done on a regular schedule and by a facility that uses the correct brand of fluids and parts for your particular vehicle. O’Connor adds, “Negligence is what will void the warranty. So, if you’ve been driving your car with no oil and it causes major damage to your car’s engine, it won’t matter where you had your vehicle serviced and your warranty won’t apply.”
The trusted experts at Shade Tree Garage can maintain your new vehicle according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Even more, if we find your vehicle needs a repair that is covered under the manufacturer warranty, we will refer you back to your dealer so it can be repaired at no charge to you. Click here to schedule an appointment with Morristown, NJ’s, Shade Tree Garage, for your next vehicle service or repair.