What Car Modifications Can Void Your Warranty

All new cars these days come with limited warranties that cover the entire car as well as a powertrain warranty that covers the engine and transmission. You can also purchase an extended warranty when you buy a new car. A question that often comes up is whether any modifications during the warranty period can void your warranty. Let’s take a look.

Situations That Can Void Your Warranty

First, it’s important to understand the established situations that can void your warranty. For example, if your vehicle is in a serious accident and issued a salvage title, your warranty will be voided. Misuse of the vehicle can also void your warranty. This can be interpreted in various ways and usually includes things like racing, competing, overloading, or off-roading in a vehicle that wasn’t designed for it.

Environmental damage like fires, floods, hailstorms, lightning, or earthquakes is also not covered under warranty. An altered odometer is usually a reason to void your warranty as well. If you neglect your vehicle, i.e. by not getting the oil changed for years, or if you use improper fluids in your vehicle, the damage incurred will not be covered under warranty.

Modifications and aftermarket parts can also void your warranty, however, these modifications and parts generally have to cause damage to the vehicle for this to be true. It’s usually on the dealer to prove that your modification or aftermarket part caused the damage in order to void your warranty.

Avoiding Warranty Issues

Despite the situations illustrated above, it’s crucial that you read your warranty’s fine print. Look for the section that talks about what’s not covered or warranty limitations. Some warranties, including extended warranties, may spell out exactly what won’t be covered. You should also get your car serviced at regular intervals. Obviously, this is a good idea in general, but it’s very important to follow your manufacturer’s service schedule to keep your warranty intact.

You should also be careful in the use of aftermarket repair parts. The key is whether the parts cause damage to your vehicle. Generally, it’s better to use OEM parts whenever possible or get your vehicle repaired at the dealership as opposed to doing it yourself or having another shop do it.

Damage from unnecessary repairs can also void your warranty. This can happen when you take your vehicle to a repair facility that’s not approved by your manufacturer.

Modifications To Avoid

As long as you want your warranty to stay intact, it’s important to avoid certain types of modifications. Tuning is a big one to avoid when it comes to your warranty. Tuning can add more power that your vehicle isn’t equipped to handle. Installing a lift on your truck or SUV can also potentially void your warranty if it causes any damage to the vehicle.

A good rule of thumb to avoid warranty issues is to always have your vehicle maintained and repaired at your dealer service center and avoid installing aftermarket performance parts that might cause damage.