When I bought my FX4 Screw this Monday, the finance guy emphasized that ANY work on the vehicle MUST BE performed by a certified shop. If I so much as changed the oil in my garage, it would void the warranty...is this true???

 

Based upon my personal experience, that is NOT true. You can do _all_ of your own maintenance. As long as you follow the maintenance schedule and use the oil, filters, etc. that meet Ford specifications and document what you've done and when, the manufacturer cannot void your warranty.

I have several long and boring stories that I could tell that would add more fuel to the fire in the mods vs. warranty question but I'll spare everyone. In my experience, if you're dealing with a worthwhile service department, the only thing you can do that will void certain portions of the warranty is outright neglect or abuse (they catagorize racing as abuse) or by using the vehicle for a use other than for which it was intended (which is also open for discussion). Also, if they determine that a particular modification was the proximate cause of failure for a covered part they can deny warranty coverage on that part.

 

Your finance guy should stick to finance.

 

That's what I think, too. How about you guys that are installing leveling spacers (i.e. Daystar, Pro Tech) to their front springs? Any concerns with affecting the warranty with this mod?

 

Nothing ever fails until your 10 miles or 10 days past the warranty anyway.

 

It's like any other mod - you're taking a chance that something won't go wrong. If you put in spacers or do any other front end modification, you can't go back to the dealer and complain about any related characteristic of the front suspension. I know a guy who had problems with his Cobra running on the hot side. He took it back to the dealer and they basically told him they couldn't help him. Off the record, they suggested a larger aftermarket radiator (which he subsequently installed at their suggestion). When the motor burned up a few months later for an unrelated defect, they tried to blame the whole thing on his aftermarket radiator and denied warranty coverage. After another dealership documented that the problem was actually caused by a manufacturing defect in the engine, he regained the warranty and a new engine was installed. Moral to the story? Find a good dealership with a professional and knowledgeable service department. BTW, I agree with a previous post regarding the questionability of the finance person providing the customer information about service department policies.

 

Yeah, this finance guy was trying real hard to sell me the "life-time service" deal...when I was inking the last of my bizillion signatures and initials, he mumbled, "I think you're making a mistake by not purchasing the life-time service".

 

Along with the maintenace log, make sure you have RECEIPTS for everything you purchase. Ford can't require you to take it to a Ford dealer for maintenance, but they do require that you follow their maintenance schedule to keep the warranty intact.

 

You don't need to keep a log or your receipts to prove you followed the maintenance schedule. If Ford's going to deny your warranty on that basis, they would need to show how you didn't follow it.

 

I think the idea of having the reciepts and a log is that it will make it much harder for them to deny that you followed the maintenance schedule, a preventative strike, if you will, at them trying to say that this is your fault. I say its a small price to pay to be able to give to them if they try any BS.

 

This appears in the Ford Warranty Guide and the Ford Maintenance Schedule at least three times:

"...make sure that receipts for completed maintenance work are retained with the vehicle and confirmation of maintenance work is always entered in your Scheduled Maintenance Guide..."

 

Don't mislead people 1956MarkII.

Nowhere does it say that if you don't keep receipts and records, the warranty will be voided.

Here's a statement from my Ford F-350's Warranty Guide under Owner's Warranty Responsibilities......

"Ford recommends that you retain all receipts covering maintenance on your vehicle, but Ford cannot deny warranty coverage solely for the lack of receipts or for failure to ensure the performance of all scheduled maintenance."

There is no reason why it would be any different on the F-150. But I will post the exact statement from that Warranty Guide if you want to argue (my wife's got the truck/warranty guide right now). Plus I can post other references which are more technical and legal.

I tend to agree with fatman66. Keeping records is a good idea just incase you want to avoid the hassle some idiot Ford salesman might give you about voiding your warranty because you don't have receipts. Plus it helps at resale time.

 

CruelCrew sounds a little combative!

sure didnt sound like anyone was doing any misleading. It sounded more like good advice than anything to save your recipts. I dont think anyone said the warranty would be void if you didnt keep the receipts.

 

jzarwell, this thread is about Ford voiding the warranty. As far as keeping receipts, I simply want viewers to get straight answers.

1956MarkII has a history of trying to correct my posts and argue with me. His quote from the Owner's Guide after my post is a prime example.

It's misleading for a seasoned member and car salesman, like 1956MarkII, to tell everyone to make sure to have receipts for everything, and insinuate that if you don't keep records the warranty could be voided.

I already commented that keeping receipts and records is a good idea....but not because your warranty will be voided. Ford can not void your warranty for lack of receipts.

Cheers.

 

I love it when CC and MarkII argue, always amuses me and brightens my day!