Things That Can Void Your Car’s Warranty

One of the advantages of buying a new car from a dealership is that it comes with a warranty. This means the manufacturer covers the cost of repairs for a certain number of years or kilometres. However, to ensure you’re protected, you must make sure you don’t unintentionally void your car warranty. Here’s how to avoid car warranty issues.

What Can Cause Your Warranty Claim to Be Denied?

Though every manufacturer’s warranty is slightly different, several things may void your car warranty, including the following:

1. Ignoring the maintenance schedule. All cars come with a recommended maintenance schedule. This includes oil changes, filter changes and alignments. Failure to prove that your vehicle has been regularly maintained puts your warranty at risk.

No matter where you go for auto repair and maintenance, keep all your receipts to prove that you’ve followed the recommended schedule.

2. Modifying your car. Adding modifications to your vehicle or installing aftermarket parts won’t automatically void your car warranty. However, any damage due to the modification or new parts won’t be covered.

Similarly, most warranties don’t cover damage caused by non-factory parts. Be sure that you or your mechanic always use parts that meet or exceed original equipment manufacturer (OEM) specifications for your vehicle’s make and model.

Additionally, altering the vehicle’s records or modifying your car’s odometer — rolling it back — will void the car warranty. Tampering with a vehicle’s odometer and records is illegal.

3. Misusing your vehicle. Racing, off-roading and towing loads your car isn’t meant to tow can void your car warranty. What constitutes misuse can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, so review your contract carefully to avoid unknowingly voiding your warranty.

4. Your car has a salvage title. A vehicle that’s been badly damaged in a crash and rebuilt by an auto repair company is given a salvage title. These cars can be almost new and still fall under a manufacturer’s warranty time limit. However, a salvage title voids the warranty, regardless of the car’s safety.

5. Your car was damaged in a natural disaster. If your vehicle is damaged in a flood, tornado, hailstorm, fire or earthquake, the damage likely won’t be covered by your car warranty.

Will Changing My Own Oil Void My Warranty?

If you’re asking, “Can I change my own oil in my car without voiding the warranty?” the answer is yes. Changing your own oil won’t directly void your car manufacturer’s warranty. However, the manufacturer won’t cover the repairs if you damage your car while trying to change your own oil.

If you’re going to do your own oil changes, use the type of oil recommended by the car manufacturer. Keep all receipts as proof that the correct products were purchased.

When in doubt, bring your vehicle to a Minit-Tune & Brake Auto Centres location near you for a full-service oil change by a qualified technician that won’t void your car warranty.

Does Missing an Oil Change Void My Car’s Warranty?

You’re responsible for maintaining your vehicle, and your warranty only covers flaws in manufacturing, not repairs caused by a lack of service. Therefore, if you miss an oil change or don’t change the oil in a timely fashion, your warranty may be voided. However, it’s up to the dealership to prove that missing the oil change directly caused the malfunction requiring a repair.

Do You Need to Go to the Dealership for Service?

You aren’t obliged to get your car repaired by the dealership. You can fulfil your auto repair and maintenance needs anywhere you choose without voiding the manufacturer’s warranty. In fact, Canada’s Consumer Protection Act ensures Canadians can choose where their car is serviced.

Trust Minit-Tune & Brake for Warranty-Approved Auto Repair

When you come to Minit-Tune & Brake Auto Centres for auto repair and maintenance, you can be sure that your warranty remains intact and your car gets high-quality service. We have 15 convenient locations in British Columbia and Alberta. Use our online form to request an appointment at your nearest branch.