What will void a car's factory warranty?

[DvKillar]

As we all love to mod our C5's, I just wanted to know what will cause me a problem at the dealer if I needed warranty work on my car. Should I swap back to factory induction before returning to dealer? what about the ECU?

I couldn't find this thread anywhere so I thought I would ask..

thanks!

[Angrybird 12]

Depends on the dealer many times. A cold air intake, or catback or axelback exhaust usually don't, but anytime you mess with the factory programming of the ECU or any of the emmissions equipment you are in the area that most dealers will get you on. Now that will not effect warranty on non associated parts. Like your AC or power windows etc. Generally the warranty is only effected on the parts modified and any associated systems that could be impacted.

[MrChrisLS3]

Tuning the ECU is a definite automatic warranty void.

Your air intake should be okay, so long as it is properly installed and maintained. If it gets over oiled and takes out the maf, that repair will be one you.

Generally speaking, anything that is going to change the engine, it's operating parameters, or design is going to void the warranty.

The grey area is the dealer you take it to. Some may not blink at headers or catch cans, intakes. Some may not even blink at an ECU tune, for certain warranty repairs. It's when they need to get approval from the mothership the issues begin. GM may want a datalog of the ECU, or they may send out a warranty rep to inspect the car. This is when it is out of your mod friendly dealers hands.

Also keep in mind that even though your dealer is mod friendly, not all are. If something happens while out on the road, GM roadside may take it to the nearest dealer, not your favorite dealer. They might call you out on the mods.

If warranty is a priority, then, outside of the intake, mufflers, and wheels, I'd leave it the way GM designed and built it.

[ARCTIC]

Originally Posted by MrChrisLS3

Tuning the ECU is a definite automatic warranty void.

Your air intake should be okay, so long as it is properly installed and maintained. If it gets over oiled and takes out the maf, that repair will be one you.

Generally speaking, anything that is going to change the engine, it's operating parameters, or design is going to void the warranty.

The grey area is the dealer you take it to. Some may not blink at headers or catch cans, intakes. Some may not even blink at an ECU tune, for certain warranty repairs. It's when they need to get approval from the mothership the issues begin. GM may want a datalog of the ECU, or they may send out a warranty rep to inspect the car. This is when it is out of your mod friendly dealers hands.

Also keep in mind that even though your dealer is mod friendly, not all are. If something happens while out on the road, GM roadside may take it to the nearest dealer, not your favorite dealer. They might call you out on the mods.

If warranty is a priority, then, outside of the intake, mufflers, and wheels, I'd leave it the way GM designed and built it.

^
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This exactly as he said it

[DvKillar]

speaking of catch cans, isn't that altering the emissions? I know they benefits and plan on doing, but that would be an easy revert if needed to take into dealer.

[Angrybird 12]

Originally Posted by DvKillar

speaking of catch cans, isn't that altering the emissions? I know they benefits and plan on doing, but that would be an easy revert if needed to take into dealer.

One of those gray areas that it depends on the dealer. My dealer has never questioned mine.

[JLSuperfly]

I can't remember who it was but there was someone here who got denied engine work over a catch can on his 1LE.

[JusticePete]

Have an open conversation with the Service Director at your Chevrolet Dealership and find out how they view modifications and warranty. If you don't like the answers, go to s different dealer. Keep looking until you find a mod friendly dealer. The GM parts bin is pretty deep. Buy som parts and have them installed by your dealer. You'll find a way to make it work.

[Avenging Orange]

Originally Posted by JusticePete

Have an open conversation with the Service Director at your Chevrolet Dealership and find out how they view modifications and warranty. If you don't like the answers, go to s different dealer. Keep looking until you find a mod friendly dealer. The GM parts bin is pretty deep. Buy som parts and have them installed by your dealer. You'll find a way to make it work.

Agreed.
Just keep this in mind.....ANY alteration can void a warranty. As mentioned, some things can be overlooked. I'm lucky to have a performance oriented dealership I trust. Even with that...they always remind me they a quite aware of my modifications.

[Billy10mm]

Your warranty is provided by GM but executed by an independent third party (dealership). GM's words on the subject are clear, if you modify the car or abuse it (and abuse is often a very "loose" term), anything that breaks will not be covered.

It gets a bit muddy though when you consider the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnus...s_Warranty_Act) which, among other things, has these two points:

• A manufacturer cannot require you use a specific part in their vehicles unless they provide that part free of charge
• If a manufacturer denies a warranty claim because a non OEM part was installed on the vehicle, the burden of proof is on the manufacturer to prove that the non-OEM part CAUSED the failure in question.

That last bit is often quoted, but rarely used, as most people don't have the discretionary income to take the manufacturer to small claims court and fight.

The first bit is an interesting one. Ferrari mandated a very specific oil for the Enzo that cost around $70/quart at your local Ferrari dealership and the dry-sumped V12 needed 11 quarts of oil. Failure to use this oil, according to Ferrari, would result in a void of the factory warranty. With filter and the service charge, a typical oil change was between $1200 and $1500. There is a guy on FerrariChat who mandated that the oil be given to him for free under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and after some negotiations with Ferrari North America, he was given written permission by FNA to use any synthetic oil he saw fit.

Now let's talk about reality. Dealerships matter, a lot. Some have good techs, that finish warranty jobs in under the time frame allotted for the job by the manufacturer. Those dealerships make money on the vast majority of warranty claims. Other dealerships hire monkeys (take my local dealership for instance). They make money on inspections, tire rotations, oil changes, and brake jobs. Anything heavier, or anything different (like replacing my taillight which had a factory defect) and they don't want to touch. Reasons vary, but often include:

• Their tech might scratch or damage the car.
• Their tech may take longer than the manufacturer pays for, with the dealership potentially losing money
• They don't know how to properly "work" warranty claims with the manufacturer. Leading to the manufacturer often denying warranty claims after the dealership has begun working on the vehicle.

[Snoman]

Originally Posted by DvKillar

As we all love to mod our C5's, I just wanted to know what will cause me a problem at the dealer if I needed warranty work on my car. Should I swap back to factory induction before returning to dealer? what about the ECU?

I couldn't find this thread anywhere so I thought I would ask..

thanks!

yes...because an entire dedicated forum on the subject .....

[DvKillar]

Originally Posted by Snoman

yes...because an entire dedicated forum on the subject .....

as I said, I DID search first. but thank you for the link!!

[DvKillar]

Thanks everyone! I may hold off on anymore bolt-ons for the time being. only got 1 year left, then I will either upgrade this thing to the hilt or trade for another!

[Billy10mm]

Originally Posted by JLSuperfly

I can't remember who it was but there was someone here who got denied engine work over a catch can on his 1LE.

It was incorrectly installed, was creating a pressure build-up in his crank-case, and blowing out the rear-main seal. A slightly different situation than just, "he has a catch can installed".