Periodic service/warranty question

[DARISC]

One of my cars is due for its 15k mile service. If I have my mech., an independant, do the work will it void or adversely affect my warranty?

[widgeon13]

With the limited info, I'd say it would be very questionable as to whether the manufacturer would accept it if something major fails. It's just another way of screwing the consumer w/ high service fees.

[rick-l]

It will not affect your warranty. Neither would it if you did it yourself.

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by widgeon13

...just another way of screwing the consumer w/ high service fees.

It's an '08 Volvo C30 T5, I have 2 yrs left on the warranty and I drive it eeeasy, in NO WAY the way I drive my 911.

Yeah, I despise having to take it to the stealership - just found this on a Volvo forum:



The big ticket is apparently the labor to replace the cabin air filter (like I really care about that filter - I live in SOCAL and drive with my windows down most of the time).

Also found this (basically what's required for the service) on the same thread:

OEM oil filter + gasket: ~$9
6qt of synthetic motor oil: ~$30
Wiper fluid: Free (water)
Brake cleaner: less than $0.10 worth for a couple spray
OEM cabin filter: $7-$20 depending on the source

So I'm thinking, screw the warranty concern and let my mech., who's worked on my cars for 25 yrs do the work (less the filter which is buried in the dashboard and a bear to get to).

But I'm just not sure if that'd be a really dumbass decision.

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by rick-l

It will not affect your warranty. Neither would it if you did it yourself.

Great! Thanks! You're sure?

This issue just lodged itself into my brain. Didn't wanna call my mech. at home on a Sunday but will call him first thing in the A.M. and hope he tells me the same thing.

Just had to post it here for some instant feedback or I'd be pissed mulling over getting screwed all night...uh, you know what I'm sayin.

[rick-l]

Originally Posted by DARISC

Great! Thanks! You're sure?

NO

I be a EE not an attorney. You could do a search on the Magnusson-Moss Act however.

[rick-l]

I remember where I saw that. FTC

A Businessperson's Guide to Federal Warranty Law

"Tie-In Sales" Provisions

Generally, tie-in sales provisions are not allowed. Such a provision would require a purchaser of the warranted product to buy an item or service from a particular company to use with the warranted product in order to be eligible to receive a remedy under the warranty. The following are examples of prohibited tie-in sales provisions.

In order to keep your new Plenum Brand Vacuum Cleaner warranty in effect, you must use genuine Plenum Brand Filter Bags. Failure to have scheduled maintenance performed, at your expense, by the Great American Maintenance Company, Inc., voids this warranty.

[widgeon13]

Good information.

[KNS]

To the original post, I bought my 325i new and I never once took it the dealer, I do all the service myself at home. They can't deny you a claim - keep a record and all receipts.

Regarding "Tie-In Sales", I think I had heard once that if the auto manufacturer requires you to use their motor oil (for instance) then they have to provide it free of charge. Is that true? On my wife's Acura, you *must* use Honda differential fluid, no exceptions.

[Steve Carlton]

As long as the prescribed work gets done, your warranty will not be affected. Call the dealer and ask. Save the receipts, as mentioned above. There might be a downside to not changing the cabin air filter, though. We were looking at a Honda CR-V for my niece and it would stink when we turned on the AC/heat. The dealer said that's a common result of not changing the filter. Dealers charge a ton to change it on my Legacy. The first time I did it, it took a while. Next time, it'll be easy.

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

...it would stink when we turned on the AC/heat. The dealer said that's a common result of not changing the filter.

Well then, I guess I'll get it changed when things get stinky.

Called my indy mech. this AM and he'll be doing the job.

Thanks for all the responses.

[Steve Carlton]

Problem is, once it gets stinky, I think there's mold in the whole ventilation system. The dealer has some sort of treatment for it, but admitted it doesn't always work. And he was talking about periodically drying out the system by running the AC periodically or somesuch. Just FYI.

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

...Problem is, once it gets stinky...

Point well taken - though I do live in a dry climate and I do periodically run the AC.

Bottom line is the local dealer wants $320, my mech. wants $200. He says the cabin filter change is important but they usually recommend 30k rather than 15k intervals. His shop has changed the C30 filters and their labor for that alone is $130 (1 3/4 hrs) and $70 for the rest of the work.

So I'm taking it in tomorrow for the $70 work ($40 of which is their normal charge for an oil change) and will have the cabin filter changed 3 oil changes down the road (30k).

From what I've read here and what my mech. tells me, just save my recpts and my warranty isn't compromised.

First contact I've had with a stealership service dept. in years - nothing's changed.

Thanks again for all your replies.

[Steve Carlton]

Sounds like a good plan. 1.75 hours- wow! I'm surprised Volvo buried it that deep. Out of curiosity, did the dealer's quote of $320 include "upgrades" from what is shown in the maintenance schedule? Sometimes they fluff it up and they'll charge less when you just ask for what's in the schedule.

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

...1.75 hours- wow!

My miscalc. - the $130 actually includes the filter which is roughly $30, so...an hour and a quarter labor time?

...did the dealer's quote of $320 include "upgrades"...

Dunno. I showed my mech. the $341.40 quote that I posted on this thread (from a Volvo board poster); he said "WTF?", called the local dealer and just asked what they charged - $320.

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