I bought a 4 year/48k warranty on my used 04 TL 6mt w/navi. My sister told me last night that on her ridgeline she has to get all mantainance done by the dealer otherwise it voids the warranty. Is this true? I can't change my own oil? Replace my own air filter?????

 

The things you named are routine maintenance. Those can be done anywhere. But no matter what you have to get done to your car, you can get it fixed wherever you want, so no that is NOT true. Maybe she was trying to say that if you have an Acura warranty, then Acura has to perform the repairs in order for it to be covered by your warranty. But no, anybody can work on your car, including you. But if something goes wrong, and it was not an authorized repair place, warranty won't cover it. Maybe she meant that.

 

As in if I change my oil 5 times before anything does wrong. They can say that since I don't have any reciepts from an authorized repair man, then the oil was never changed??

 

No that means you have to save the receipts for your oil and filter purchases and create your own log of the dates and mileage you changed your own oil.

 

Do they have to be honda oil and a honda filter?

 

They just have to be oil and oil filters that meet the specifications. Look in your manual for that info. Also, in order for them not to accept your warranty claim on that basis, they have to PROVE that you had the oil in for over the amount of time you shoud have had it in. It is not so simple as saying hey we didn't change yur oil so we are not accepting the bill.

People changing their own oil is a known and accepted practice. You will not be the first, lol! But if you don't know what you are doing, please let someone else do it. Because if you don't tighten the oil filter properly and it comes loose and you lose oil, then forget everything I just said...

 

I am a graduated and certified mechanic. I just wanted free labor and parts for 4 years. I can do all the maintenance myself, I just didn't know if there was the small print on the warranty.

 

We cant see the fine print any better from this distance than you can~
On your account at https://www.ahm-ownerlink.com/login.asp?brand=acura
there is a place to log all the maitenance you did yourself~
Keep your oil/filter purchase receipts, and write the mileage and date on the back of them.

In 4 years,- according to the book- your car should require some engine oil changes and a brake fluid change. Nothing really involving parts. They wont cover the brake pads and other normal wear out items

Maybe your sister believed what the saleman told her - so she would be another sheep going to the service dept "because they had to"
Read all contracts with a magnifying glass!!!
Buyer Be Aware!!

 

No it's not true. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act explicitely addresses the issue you mention. You can have your vehicle serviced anywhere you want, including doing it yourself and the mfg still has to honor its warranty. You just have to keep a log of what's been done and when.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnuson-Moss_Warranty_Act

 

I spoke to the dealer and they also said I could do all my own maint. without voiding the warranty. Just keep all reciepts and keep a log.

 

Not true.

Magnuson-Moss only governs new car warranties, not extended warranties. Extended warranties are considered to be extended service contracts, so the warranty company can make you follow their required maintenance procedures.

Better check the fine print.