Hello; Had an interesting conversation today. Was going over the paperwork concerning the warranties on a new car from a dealer. On top of the factory warranty they offer a lifetime warranty a do most now days. There is a sheet of must do's an owner must comply with in order to keep the extra warranty valid. In particular all specified services listed in the owner's manual must be done.
Went with the salesman to read from the owner's manual what those services will be. There is a list of required items for every year of ownership. Things such as oil changes, air filter changes, various inspections and the like. None of that was too unusual. Seemed a bit odd to have a required yearly inspection for such things.
At first the requirements to keep an extra powertrain warranty seemed a bit much. I was told changing my own oil & filter would void the warranty. Putting a K&N or other such air filter would void the extended warranty. I was about to dismiss these things and let that extra dealer warranty go way as i like to do my own oil changes, inspections and normal Maintenace. There was a kicker.
That kicker is I was the factory warranty would be voided as weel if I did not have the yearly inspections, oil & filter changes, air filter replacements as their choice, not my choice and other items on the list done either at a manufacturers dealer's shop or by an ASE certified mechanic. I wanted to be clear that I was now asking about the normal manufacture's warranty and not the extended warranty. The top service manager said such was the case. If i changed my own oil the factory warranty will be voided.
I told them my understanding this was not legal. I think there was a law passed decades ago about this sort of thing. I hope someone will know the name/title of that law. For decades I have bought oils, filters and other parts which meet or exceed factory specs. I often will use factory parts & oil during the warranty period. I keep the receipts and a personal record of my work dates and miles. I have been thinking such was good enough to keep a warranty valid.
On the way home i stopped by a different brands dealership to ask if they have such rules. They do not and see it the way i have done things for years.
Do any know the title of that law?