Do You Have To Get Warranty Service At The Dealership Where You Bought

It's heed boggling how many drivers still think they need to service their newer vehicle at a dealership while information technology is under warranty, in order to maintain that warranty. This is simply not the case, and this false belief continues despite the best efforts of many automotive professionals (including myself) to educate the motoring public about this.

Virtually every week, clients tell usa things similar "I tin can't look until my other car is out of warranty, so you can look after that one too!" or "My friend wants to bring her motorcar to your shop as well, but it is still under warranty so she has to go to the dealer." These are comments from loyal customers who already trust us; already know how good our service is; but still believe that we tin can't service their newer vehicle while information technology is under warranty. Each of these situations gives us a chance to have a conversation near why this isn't truthful, but there are all the same so many Airdrie drivers who share this false belief. Nosotros're hoping this mail helps attain a few more of them.

So, where does this myth come from?

Honestly, we're not sure! While lots of clients have told us that dealership employees are actually telling new car buyers that they cannot service their auto anywhere else, we're not and so quick to point the finger. I personally know a number of automotive professionals working in dealerships who would never spread misinformation like this.

It'due south more probable that this bad information persists every bit a sort of "old wives tale"; similar to how many people believe that eating carrots improves your eyesight, or keen your knuckles will cause arthritis. Can yous shed some light on where this myth comes from? Delight email us, or drop us a comment!

What does the constabulary say?

Suggesting that you need to service your vehicle at the dealership where you purchased isn't merely incorrect; it'due south actually illegal! This is referred to as "tied selling", which is in direct violation of Canada's Contest Deed. Other countries around the world, such as England or the United states of america take similar legislation.

Manufacture groups such equally the Automotive Industries Association of Canada have released statements such as this i, in order to try and provide some clarification for consumers on the issue.

Alright, so I tin can service my automobile wherever I want. What do I demand to do to maintain my warranty?

In that location are certain things you must do to maintain the warranty on your new vehicle, regardless of where you service information technology. If you choose to service your vehicle with the states at My Garage, nosotros automatically do all of these things for you lot – only here's a quick breakdown:

Perform all of the services your vehicle requires, as outlined past your owner's transmission. Your owner's manual contains a maintenance schedule that outlines when certain services such equally oil changes or filter replacements need to exist done. This is the maintenance schedule you need to follow, not any "in firm" schedule that a service store may have cooked upwards themselves. If you're doing your maintenance with us, nosotros wait after all the reading for you. Nosotros'll keep y'all on rails, and make you aware up of upcoming services then you can plan & budget for them.
Use genuine OEM or approved fluids. While using OEM (from a dealership) parts is not required to maintain your warranty, using the right fluids is. This means that you'll want to avert shops that use aftermarket "universal" or "multi vehicle" fluids that aren't tested and approved by your vehicle manufacturer. A fluid that is "recommended for" your vehicle isn't skillful enough; it needs an OEM approval. Over again, we look later this requirement for you lot every bit we only use 18-carat OEM fluids.
Employ premium filters. Many cheap economy filters aren't nearly every bit good as your original filters. A good example of this are the economic system oil filters used by "quick lube" shops; many of them are just designed to be used for a maximum of 5,000 km and they won't last through a modern oil change interval of eight,000-15,000 km. Just in the past year, we've seen numerous engine warranty claims denied considering the customer had an economy oil filter installed. Y'all'll be happy to know that we only utilise premium filters.
Continue your maintenance records. If you ever need to make a warranty claim, the servicing dealership may ask to encounter your maintenance records. (For example, proof of regular oil changes.) Keeping all your service receipts together in one identify non only speeds up the claims procedure, merely information technology provides a valuable selling tool to accept on mitt if you ever decide to sell your vehicle.

The "building goodwill" myth:

The purpose of this article is to clear up some common misinformation, not to discourage servicing your vehicle at a dealership. Certain dealerships exercise a great job, and they might offering the best service selection in some markets. In other markets, customers often service their vehicle at a dealership that they don't like, only because they mistakenly feel they are "building goodwill" in the event of a warranty issue. They feel that if they exercise all their service with a certain dealership, that dealership will be more likely to authorize a warranty claim when something happens.

In reality, the decision whether or non to qualify a warranty merits usually isn't made at the dealership level – especially with larger claims similar an engine or transmission replacement. Those decisions are made college up the chain of command, by the automobile manufacturer themselves. As long as you've satisfied the requirements in our listing above, you have nothing to worry most.

Where should I service my vehicle, and so?

We'd like to argue that you should service your vehicle with u.s.! Newer vehicle maintenance is a specialty of ours, and we offer several advantages that no other local shops – including dealerships – offering. Adjacent month, we'll break downward all of those advantages in a new blog post. Tin can't wait that long? Delight experience free to electronic mail usa, message united states of america, or telephone call any fourth dimension! Nosotros're here for you lot.