This is not slamming anyone nor questioning anyones intelligence here....but I have seen mentioned SEVERAL times thoughout this board about modifications and the after effects of them. This will hopefully develop into a "one thread fits all FAQ section for modifications" that everybody can refer people to when they see these questions they have seen a million times before (ie. warrantee issue, ect.).

FAQ#1: Will this void my warrantee?

Ans: That legally is a very hard question to answer and not be held liable in some way or another...the basic rule is...the manufacturer warrantee will be void in respects to any damage that may occur as a result of the proposed or existing modification you have done. What does this mean basically? OK...its like this...you install a CAI system on the car....and subsequently have problems with your tires or alignment....no...they cannot legally void your warrantee based on the fact you have modified your car as there is no cause and effect relationship there. They have to be able to prove that the problem or damage that occurred happened as a result of the aftermarket part or modification that you made. For example...you install a CAI on your car....and durring a heavy rainstorm you drive through a "creek" sized puddle and for some reason your car stops running....you take it to the dealer and they inform you that the car is hydrolocked due to sucking in water though your CAI system.....well...then yes...of course....your warrantee is null and void in this case and you will have to foot the bill. BUT....there is an obvious cause and effect relationship there.

Now...in respect to Acura OEM Parts (ie. A-spec kits, spoilers, OEM option rims, ect)....when they are dealer installed at time of purchase, and many times after purchase depending upon the dealer, they carry a full warrantee from your dealer. The part is warranted by Acura regardless, as all OEM Acura parts are purchased from authorized dealers, but in order to get your A-spec body kit fully warranted (parts and labor) by your dealer, it must be dealer installed! (ie...they must have made the money on the labor to install it in the first place) In other words....when you get your body kit on here on AZ or ebay from another authorized Acura dealer, it still carries an Acura warrantee on the part...the labor is your responsibility at that point, as you would expect. A little common sense applied here works in most cases....OEM part warranteed by Acura....dealer installs stuff...dealer will warantee the labor then too...ect ect. Note....the big question becomes...is this HUGE savings that is realized worth the loss of warrantee on the labor? In most cases people find this to be a positive experience...but that is a personal decision totally. Many times you will find that you can save enough money sourcing the parts yourself and having them installed elsewhere, that you could pay for the labor two or three times with the savings....but there is an obvious convenience and familiarity with the model factor from the dealer. Again...total personal choice there depending upon what you are confortable with!

FAQ#2: Will this make my car sound louder?

Ans: Yes...it prob. will if it is a performance oriented mod. Sense should tell you that whenever you modify a car you should not be suprised at the results, given you considered all the results from the get go! Think about all the results of a modification BEFORE you do the modification. Do a search here on AZ first, jot down all the ins and outs people mention and weight the results PRIOR to install... But I hear this question all the time....will this make the car louder...or the car is louder now or it drones now or there is a resonance now, ect. While yes....you just installed a performance exhaust system or component! Make sense? Again...some forethought here will help avoid suprises! If quiet is an issue with you, I dont recommend you start modifying your car. Acura has done a lot of designing to make it quiet from the get go....go messing around with it...dont be suprised at what you get! Forethought and the search feature are your best friend here!

FAQ#3: Is this (easy/how do you/how much time does this take) to install?

Ans: In most cases....if you are talking about an OEM Acura part, the average person with average mechanical ability CAN handle this! (have even heard claims of some with LOW ability handling the tasks) Acura also includes full installation directions with most of their option parts to make installation a breeze or you can pick up a copy here in the 3G Garage to preview it beforehand if you like! I also recommend you do a search around the forum and the 3G Garage for other members installation tips to really make things easy! There are very few cases that somebody has not already "been down the road you are looking" so do a search here. The AZ search feature is your best friend here and can really keep you from getting flamed! There are tons of installation guides members have put together complete with pics! Basically...SEARCH and 3G GARAGE are your best friend (thanks to rets and RonA who put a lot of time into it)

When all else fails....

Frequent Request #1 Would Be:

Asking Good Questions (again...a 3G Garage exclusive!)

 

Any day now we'll see a moderator title under your name

And even though what you said seems like common sense, it's good to have it out there (not that anyone will read it). Inevitably, the questions will still be asked...it's as if stickies and the search button prove too elusive for some. Oh well, what can you do? Oh yeah...

SEARCH is your friend!!!

 

yeah very good write up,you always come with the info and correct..........thanks

 

at "Will this make my car sound louder?"

 

"What do you mean? I didn't think that it would? Why would it do that? I don't want it to loud!! Mods will effect the sound of the car, never heard that before!"

If its to loud, your to old!!! j/k

 

make this a sticky ASAP! this 3rd gen. forum could use a few more moderators, and you get my vote


somebody please anoint him with a banhammer

 

^- I thought it was a funny title for one of the topics. Its a good question though. It reminded me of when I used to do exhaust...that was the most common questions asked (for good reason obviously)

 

Another great post Micheal! Maybe we can cut down on some of the reposts.

 

Thank you kindly for all the nice comments guys! Much appreciated!

 

Bumped Thread...for the sake of us old timers.

 

if u get any comptech parts installed in ur car, it dosen't void any warranties. I checked it out with a couple of dealships and with acura too.

 

^ that is correct.

 

You guys....I dont believe that is what my statement says if you READ it.....you do have to read somewhat beyond the surface guys. Many Acura dealers are also Comptech dealers also....which helps "blurr" the line for us a bit too! But in fact.....trust me what I tell you....put a Comptech supercharger on your car....have problems with the - oh - lets say.....I dont know...let say rockers or valves or something....and they could equate this AND PROVE that the undue stress this performance part put on your engine, in part or whole, was the cause of the problem....they would void your warrantee. Now...if the Acura dealer was a comptech dealer and they installed the Comptech blower....this is when the line is blurred a bit. At this point....the dealer is most likely going to warrant the engine and deal with it (either by using their discretionary power given by Acura or by "fudging" the paperwork to make it happen)..either way....you are gonna be covered.

Now....if what you are talking about is a Comptech exhaust....true dat! There really IS nothing that this exhaust system CAN do that is gonna void your warrantee.....so ANYBODY can safely say that they would be good and no probs, AOK and all that....

Basically what I am saying is you have to use your head and know what you are talking about part-wise. Trust me when I tell you that a Comptech supercharger can void your warrantee if you were to install it yourself.....and later have a problem that Acura could equate directly to this supercharger stress it was putting on the engine. Now again....installed and bought at the dealer (basically after you got yourself REAMED at the dealer price wise).....it very well could fall under the later OEM section lastly mentioned in the warrantee section above as it was bought and installed at the Acura dealer. BUT...not all Acura dealers are Comptech dealers....therefore do not recognize Comptech as OEM parts.....I know this sounds confusing and somewhat contradictory at times....but when you talk about Comptech....it is kind of touch and go to some degree. There are lots of dealers that do not recognize this connection whatsoever.....and if you would like a few names and numbers....all you have to do is find an Acura dealer who is NOT a comptech dealer...and they will fill you in differently. As I say....with Comptech...it is a very blurry area that way....but truely....I USE COMPTECH PARTS ALL I CAN!! RECOMMEND HIGHLY!! But thats just my two cents! My dealers DO NOT (well, the one I bought from...the other in town IS now a Comptech dealer...so the story is different there now) recognize em. SO...bottom line...touch and go....might...might not. As I say...you kind of have to read between the lines in that paragraph above.

 

That's a myth. There is no legal contract or understanding between Acura OEM and Comptech. In no way does the Acura factory warranty state that it will extend coverage on failure of Comptech parts or damages related to failed Comptech parts.

Now like Michael said, a number of Acura dealerships are also Comptech dealers. They sell, install, and cover Comptech parts. But it can be said true of other brands, too. If your dealership installed an AEM CAI for you, then it will cover it if something goes wrong.

Acura warranty and Comptech parts are more like a dealership-by-dealership and case-by-case thing. Your dealership may cover it, but my dealership for instance, frowns upon all types of modifications, regardless of brands whether it be Comptech or anything.

Bottom line, it all depends on the dealership. I've seen dealerships with speed shops inside. I've also been to dealerships where they don't like modifications, period.

 

 

x 2 well said PA..

 

 

Nice job on the FAQ Michael!

Ol Blue Eyes- We dont need more Mod's, Trancemission got it under control ::

 

Ah....your both just one big aren't you! lol

I bet I am here later than all you guys!! No...actually...just did taxes!

 

Bump again for the old timers....saves us from the same question....lol.

 

^^^^^





no matter how many times you bump it the question will still come

 

Does This Cristmas Tree Air Freshener On My Rear View Mirror Void My Warranty Or Not?????????????????????????

by the way it's vanillaroma.

 

Very true!!

 

It will void the warranty on the rear view mirror, but it adds about 15hp/10tq...