I'm new to the site and have been reading alot about the mods made to member's cars, but nothing about if these performance changes affect the warranty. My car is new and I want to start small (Blackwing), but don't want to have warranty issues. Thanks.

 

Do some searches and you'll find a lot of info. The short answer, though, is that the warranty is not voided by modifications, unless the mods can be shown to be the cause of a specific failure. Even then, the voiding is limited to the item that was damaged due to the mod.

A cold air intake, cat back exhaust, and similar mods should have no effect. If you move up to nitrous or something, you can probably kiss the motor warranty goodbye, but everything else will still be fine. (Even many engine parts would not be affected by nitrous, so you'd still retain warranty coverage on those items, such as the AIR pump, the coils, etc.)

Hope this helps.

 

A simple rule based on the law regarding modifications to your car:

If the modification does not cause a failure it cannot be the cause of denial of warranty.

More info here: http://www.sema.org/content/?ID=8124

 

basically, if you read your warranty contract, they can void your warranty for anything and everything and do not need to prove themselves. Now will they? Probably not. Like said above, intake and exaust compnents and other stuff like short throw shifter, etc... will most likely not void anything. Most dealerships will even sell or install some of those things for you. Any motor work unless it says it comes with a waranty, will more than likely void your manufaturer's warranty. Any poweradder (nitrous, supercharger, or turbocharger) will void the warranty. There is a supercharger called the Magnuson(sp?) that will not void the warranty. Good luck and mod the hell out of it, you won't regret it ;) but it does get addicting having all that power :cheers:

 

Please provide a reference to said section regarding, "they can void your warranty for anything and everything and do not need to prove themselves".

If you have a written warranty that contains such language, it is invalid. If worded that way there would be no warranty at all.

 

Speaking from a manufacturers standpoint, it is hard to void a warranty, unless the modification can be shown to have caused the problem. First, it has to be a factory representative, not a dealer who voids the warranty. Second, it has to be able to standup in court. Third, in some states, the state will require the mfgr to prove the modification caused the failed part to fail.
I have looked at cars that have had pistons burned, and the only way to burn them this way was with NOx, however, no obvious signs of an NOx kit, so engine was rebuilt under warranty.

 

seen it done numerous times. It is written in most warranty contracts saying that if they feel something may have caused something else to fail, then they can void the warranty without any given explanation. I have seen it numerous times on LS1.com and I personally know people who have been voided for just a simple cold air intake. But like I said, they aren't likely to void your warranty.

Also, I know a guy who's dealership voided his warranty because he had read of some mods he did on one of the message boards.


[Modified by DS, 3:08 AM 5/30/2003]

 

You have seen it personally? Or is this via the good old word-of-mouth Internet traffic? I agree, if a mod causes a part to fail, the warranty can be voided by the manufacturer. To say without a given explanation, and that person accepts that, then they most likely deserve to have their warranty voided due to ignorance of the law.
Don't know the laws for every state, but every state I have lived and worked in, and their are quite a few, have statutes that require a manufacturer to give a full written explanation as to why a warranty has been voided, if so requested. Also, courts have a great way of getting said information, and manufacturers will always oblige.

What you have stated, or what you are saying other people stated is ludicrous. To say a manufacturer has the right to void a warranty without explanation, in simple English means there is no warranty. Heck, with that reasoning, I as a manufacturer's representative could void out a warranty on a Corvette where the air filter has been replaced by a K&N filter. This would not only void out the intent of the warranty, it would violate the Magnuson-Moss Act, passed by the US Congress in 1975.
From a corporate point of view, no manufacturer will void out a warranty unless their is proof that the modification has caused the part under question to fail. If in doubt, don't void it out, is the slogan I have always lived with.
If someone, as you say, accepts this, then that is their problem.
Also, you still have not quoted the page and verse as to where this is worded in a GM warranty as it applies to a Corvette, as the other poster requested.,

 

:iagree:

 

like I said I have seen personally, I was at the dealership when we went to pick up a buddies car once. And with the cold-air, I wasn't there, but I did drive my friend up there to get his car from the dealer. I'm not talking about internet myth ;)

and no I have not quoted because I don't have the time to be looking it up. Also I haven't bought a car that is still under warranty in a few years, mainly because I have never had a reason to and never had a problem (knock on wood) that I couldn't fix myself. But that is besides the point. I have seen it happen, I have seen it more than once and like I said before IT IS NOT A LIKELY THING TO HAPPEN!!! But it still does.


[Modified by DS, 3:17 PM 5/30/2003]

 

I would have to agree that if a warranty can be voided without any explanation the is no real meaning in a warranty.

I am considering getting a Predator or the Hypertech programmer. By changing the settings on the chip, would that effectively serve to void the motor and transmission warranties upon a failure?

:confused:

Robert

 

There are a few members on this forum who have had to go the Magnuson-Moss route with their dealers and some have found it's not a pleasant experience. The M-M Act is there to protect the consumer but one should be reasonable about what is allowed and prepared to face the consequences if the line is overstepped.

I went in with my eyes wide open when I decided to crack my engine and install aftermarket parts. IMHO, if you're not willing or able to afford the loss of your warranty, don't touch the car.

 

but it may not be legal for them to do so. What you need to ask yourself... is how much time and money are you willing to spend in a legal battle to win?

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act forbids the voiding of your warranty for anything and everything without the dealer/GM needing prove themselves..

But you'll need a good lawer to enforce this act.


.


[Modified by Mike Mercury, 4:05 PM 5/30/2003]

 

that's true, I've never known someone to fight them or threaten court. I know for damn sure that I would :D

 

:iagree: :iagree:

Life is too short for law suits. The problem is, if your car is broken, you have to get it fixed. If the dealer won't give you back your car till you pay for the repairs, then you are stuck.

You can hire a lawyer, spend a lot of time and money, with no guarantee of success!

My advice, assume the warranty will be voided once you go inside the motor. That is the worst case scenario, and if it works out better for you, it's better to be pleasantly surprised than disappointed!

Good luck.

:auto: