Does a DIY Oil Change Void the Car Warranty?
Caring for your car and having regular maintenance can be expensive but it is necessary. Even if
you take a car warranty out of the picture and just focus on your vehicle, maintenance is very
important to keep your car running in top condition.
Extended Car Warranty
An extended car warranty is a promise that is made by your warranty provider that if your car
breaks down at any point within the warranty period, then you are entitled to file a claim. A car
warranty will protect you against expenses from repairs or car part replacements in case of
vehicle issues such as engine and powertrain problems.
A standard manufacturer warranty is a guarantee given by these providers to let you know that
the vehicle you bought is reliable and is of top quality.
Things to Keep in Mind On a DIY Oil Change
When planning on a DIY oil change, always bear in mind to buy the recommended oil and filter,
save the receipts, keep tabs on the date and the number in your odometer, and of course the
most important thing is to do the oil change properly.
1. Buy The Required Oil and Filter
You might think that this is one of the ways for automakers to take more money from you –
which probably is half true, but the other side to this is that certain car engines run better with
specific fluids. So when thinking about changing your oil and filter, make sure to use the
recommended parts.
2. Take Note of the Dates
Take note of these two figures, (1) the date of the oil change and (2) the miles on the odometer
at the date of the oil change. This will give you solid proof that the regular oil change schedule
is properly followed.
3. Always Keep Copies of the Receipts
When buying your oil and air filter, always keep the receipt and make sure to make a copy of it
in case you’ll lose the original receipt.
4. When in Doubt, Ask A Professional
It’s not rocket science to change the oil in your car. Some people even associate it with putting
petrol in your vehicle. But just because it’s easy, doesn’t mean that you should force yourself into doing it on your own. A DIY oil change can be satisfying especially if you’re going to save
yourself about $100 instead of having your car serviced, but if an oil change is not properly
done and causes failure then your warranty provider has a good argument against you in
voiding the warranty.
Myths About DIY Oil Change
Most manufacturer warranty providers will scare you into choosing only their service center
instead of someone else or other qualified mechanics in doing the regular maintenance. Don’t
be easily fooled! It’s illegal for them to deny a claim simply because you didn’t have your
regular maintenance serviced by them. Routine maintenance does not stop at oil change but it
also includes tire rotations, belt replacements, vehicle inspections, and brake pads.
If you think that your warranty claim was unfairly denied by the service advisor and the
management, you may file a complaint with your state Attorney General or the Federal Trade
Commission (FTC).
Key Take-Away
Following your regular maintenance schedule is very important to keep your car running in top
condition. As to where you should have your car serviced, you have the option of choosing
someone else instead of their ‘required’ service center by your factory warranty provider.
Contrary to popular belief, changing your oil will not automatically void your car warranty.
Make sure that you read the fine print in your warranty. Keep in mind that if you’ve done the
regular service maintenance that your car manual recommends, and chose genuine parts for
your car, then a warranty provider can’t just deny your claim and dismiss your case. It’s illegal
for them to deny a claim under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act enforced by FTC if you had
your regular maintenance with someone else instead of their service center.