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MrChrisLS3 · 04-26-2017, 07:39 AM

Here's the deal on warranty. If keeping the warranty fully intact is important to you, than keep the car exactly the way GM designed it and built it, period.

The grey area is where some dealers are "mod friendly". In most minor situations, they may be willing to over look modification to warranty a repair. However, there is a threshold where GM needs to approve the work. GM may ask for a diagnostic read out, they may ask for pictures, they may even send a district rep to inspect the car. It's at this point that the warranty is out of the dealers hands. GM says no, then it's on your dime. It's really as simple as that.

If you touch the programming of the ECM, you're powertrain is done. Again, your dealer may be able to do those things that fly under the radar, but if it's an issue that requires a major replacement, like engine, transmission, something of that nature, GM will want the specifics before writing the check. The dealer is not GM. They are paid by GM for warranty work, and GM won't pay warranty on a modified car.

Sure, headers seem like an innocent modification. However, it removes the major components to the factory designed emission system, so at the very least, it will void your emission warranty. Of course, if you put headers on the car, you will most certainly get a CEL, as a result of changing the emission related parts. To turn it off requires tampering with the factory program, and that will void powertrain. They will still fix non related bumper to bumper stuff, but driveline and powertrain are yours.

Many people will bring up the Magnuson Moss Act. This is widely mis-interpreted. The clause in the act that many think involves a modification is the "tied in sales" clause. This clause refers to a manufacturing requiring you a their brand of replacement parts to maintain warranty. This would be things like air filters, spark plugs, even brake pads etc. you are allowed to use any brand you like, so long as it meets of exceeds OEM specification and does not change the design of function of the related system.

So, the short answer is, if you want to keep your warranty, leave the car stock.

04-26-2017, 07:39 AM	#15
MrChrisLS3 Drives: 2018 1SS M6 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Houston Posts: 2,617	Here's the deal on warranty. If keeping the warranty fully intact is important to you, than keep the car exactly the way GM designed it and built it, period. The grey area is where some dealers are "mod friendly". In most minor situations, they may be willing to over look modification to warranty a repair. However, there is a threshold where GM needs to approve the work. GM may ask for a diagnostic read out, they may ask for pictures, they may even send a district rep to inspect the car. It's at this point that the warranty is out of the dealers hands. GM says no, then it's on your dime. It's really as simple as that. If you touch the programming of the ECM, you're powertrain is done. Again, your dealer may be able to do those things that fly under the radar, but if it's an issue that requires a major replacement, like engine, transmission, something of that nature, GM will want the specifics before writing the check. The dealer is not GM. They are paid by GM for warranty work, and GM won't pay warranty on a modified car. Sure, headers seem like an innocent modification. However, it removes the major components to the factory designed emission system, so at the very least, it will void your emission warranty. Of course, if you put headers on the car, you will most certainly get a CEL, as a result of changing the emission related parts. To turn it off requires tampering with the factory program, and that will void powertrain. They will still fix non related bumper to bumper stuff, but driveline and powertrain are yours. Many people will bring up the Magnuson Moss Act. This is widely mis-interpreted. The clause in the act that many think involves a modification is the "tied in sales" clause. This clause refers to a manufacturing requiring you a their brand of replacement parts to maintain warranty. This would be things like air filters, spark plugs, even brake pads etc. you are allowed to use any brand you like, so long as it meets of exceeds OEM specification and does not change the design of function of the related system. So, the short answer is, if you want to keep your warranty, leave the car stock.