Changing Your Own Oil - 3rd Party Extended Warranty Issue

[AugPal]

I also have a new Jeep Grand Cherokee I just bought. While reading a Jeep forum, I ran across a thread where a guy claimed an internal engine repair claim was denied because he changed his own oil. He had a 3rd party extended warranty.

This got me wondering if an Extended Ford Warranty would cover an internal engine repair if you change your own oil?

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[donkey]

I also have a new Jeep Grand Cherokee I just bought. While reading a Jeep forum, I ran across a thread where a guy claimed an internal engine repair claim was denied because he changed his own oil. He had a 3rd party extended warranty.

This got me wondering if an Extended Ford Warranty would cover an internal engine repair if you change your own oil?

And this is why I pay $100 to have the oil changed at the dealer.

That being said, if you keep track of every oil change, receipts, log, evidence, etc. then probably not.

 

[AugPal]

I had a Mustang and an Ford Escort EXP with an extended warranty in the past. I always changed the oil myself. I never kept logs or evidence of the oil being changed, but I never had any internal engine issues.

 

[bgn]

And that is why those third-party warranties are trash and I will never buy one.

The chances of you experiencing an engine issue within the Ford warranty mileage, even extended, is miniscule.

 

[Buellsox]

Document w/Time Stamped Photos of the process ALWAYS!!!
Once on a previous Taurus SHO, on a warranty issue, I was asked by Ford for any oil change documentation. Without any receipts I just provided a string of documented changes exactly like this. The service writer said they’d never seen anybody do it this way. Ford made a decision within 48 hours that I had gone above & beyond the o/c interval as I could prove service every 6-9 months irregardless of mileage. They never asked for anything else and totally took care of me.
This is how I’ve done it for the last 12-15 years now. It was great when you could post photos in the Ford Pass App under the service icon. Just keep them in a separate folder now.

 

[Bigsack]

The dealer I bought my Ranger from offers a lifetime powertrain warranty. Caveat ...they have to do the maintenance. I'm still doing my own oil changes. I don't trust dealers. Their low man on the pole does the oil changes and to many stories of those idiots, overfilling, not filling, loose drain plugs, wrong oil, forgot the oil cap, etc.

 

[isslandboy]

In the U.S., the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act gives very explicit protection: a manufacturer generally cannot deny warranty coverage simply because you did your own oil changes or used an independent shop.

Facts About Auto Warranties
You don’t have to use the dealer for repairs or maintenance to keep your warranty in effect. In fact, it’s illegal for a dealer to deny your warranty coverage because you had routine maintenance or repairs done by someone else. But if the warranty says that the work will be done for free, the dealer or manufacturer can make you use repair facilities it chooses. And if the warranty says you will get parts for free, the dealer or manufacturer can require you to use parts it chooses.

Your warranty stays in effect if you use aftermarket or recycled parts.

• An aftermarket part is a part made by a company that didn’t make your vehicle.
• A recycled part is made for and installed in a new vehicle, then removed and made available for resale or reuse.

But if someone installs a defective aftermarket or recycled part, or doesn’t install a part correctly, it could damage a part that the warranty covers. If that happens, the manufacturer or dealer can deny warranty coverage for the damaged part and charge you for repairs. The manufacturer or dealer must prove the aftermarket or recycled part caused the damage before they can deny warranty coverage.

The warranty company could ask for your maintenance records. Keep records of repairs and maintenance like oil changes, tire rotations, belt replacement, new brake pads, and inspections. The records will be helpful if you have to use your warranty and show that you properly maintained your vehicle. Otherwise, your claim might be denied.

 

[WWilli]

The dealer I bought my Ranger from offers a lifetime powertrain warranty. Caveat ...they have to do the maintenance. I'm still doing my own oil changes. I don't trust dealers. Their low man on the pole does the oil changes and to many stories of those idiots, overfilling, not filling, loose drain plugs, wrong oil, forgot the oil cap, etc.

Yup... What he said.....Have tons of stories over the years of the crack-head dealer lube techs screwing things up. The only way to know its right is to do it yourself..... I like to pre-fill the filter and/or cold flood before the 1st dry start after a change. There is no way anyone else will do that. I document the date and mileage of the service in the Ford Pass app. That should be enough if there is ever a question.

 

[kickingaz]

I owned many Jeeps in the past, including my wife's Grand Cherokee that we still have. I created an account on the Mopar website for each vehicle and dealer maintenance appears for these vehicles. You also have the option to document non-dealer maintenance, including the maintenance you performed, so it is documented. I also attach a photo of doing the service in my garage.

 

[bigb]

And that is why those third-party warranties are trash and I will never buy one.

The chances of you experiencing an engine issue within the Ford warranty mileage, even extended, is miniscule.

The two biggest and most well funded divisions at a 3rd party warranty company are advertisement and sales followed by the division whose sole job is to minimize claim payouts.

 

[Satex]

In the U.S., the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act gives very explicit protection: a manufacturer generally cannot deny warranty coverage simply because you did your own oil changes or used an independent shop.

Facts About Auto Warranties
You don’t have to use the dealer for repairs or maintenance to keep your warranty in effect. In fact, it’s illegal for a dealer to deny your warranty coverage because you had routine maintenance or repairs done by someone else. But if the warranty says that the work will be done for free, the dealer or manufacturer can make you use repair facilities it chooses. And if the warranty says you will get parts for free, the dealer or manufacturer can require you to use parts it chooses.

Your warranty stays in effect if you use aftermarket or recycled parts.

• An aftermarket part is a part made by a company that didn’t make your vehicle.
• A recycled part is made for and installed in a new vehicle, then removed and made available for resale or reuse.

But if someone installs a defective aftermarket or recycled part, or doesn’t install a part correctly, it could damage a part that the warranty covers. If that happens, the manufacturer or dealer can deny warranty coverage for the damaged part and charge you for repairs. The manufacturer or dealer must prove the aftermarket or recycled part caused the damage before they can deny warranty coverage.

The warranty company could ask for your maintenance records. Keep records of repairs and maintenance like oil changes, tire rotations, belt replacement, new brake pads, and inspections. The records will be helpful if you have to use your warranty and show that you properly maintained your vehicle. Otherwise, your claim might be denied.

The Magnusun Moss act applies to third party warranties. HOWEVER, it doesn't apply to service contracts, and the differences between the two can be confusing.

 

[beaudointl]

I also have a new Jeep Grand Cherokee I just bought. While reading a Jeep forum, I ran across a thread where a guy claimed an internal engine repair claim was denied because he changed his own oil. He had a 3rd party extended warranty.

This got me wondering if an Extended Ford Warranty would cover an internal engine repair if you change your own oil?

That is total nonsense. You can send that oil to a lab for analysis and that will tell them how much the oil additives package has decreased and overall health of the oil.

 

[Geo8866]

In the U.S., the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act gives very explicit protection: a manufacturer generally cannot deny warranty coverage simply because you did your own oil changes or used an independent shop.

Facts About Auto Warranties
You don’t have to use the dealer for repairs or maintenance to keep your warranty in effect. In fact, it’s illegal for a dealer to deny your warranty coverage because you had routine maintenance or repairs done by someone else. But if the warranty says that the work will be done for free, the dealer or manufacturer can make you use repair facilities it chooses. And if the warranty says you will get parts for free, the dealer or manufacturer can require you to use parts it chooses.

Your warranty stays in effect if you use aftermarket or recycled parts.

• An aftermarket part is a part made by a company that didn’t make your vehicle.
• A recycled part is made for and installed in a new vehicle, then removed and made available for resale or reuse.

But if someone installs a defective aftermarket or recycled part, or doesn’t install a part correctly, it could damage a part that the warranty covers. If that happens, the manufacturer or dealer can deny warranty coverage for the damaged part and charge you for repairs. The manufacturer or dealer must prove the aftermarket or recycled part caused the damage before they can deny warranty coverage.

The warranty company could ask for your maintenance records. Keep records of repairs and maintenance like oil changes, tire rotations, belt replacement, new brake pads, and inspections. The records will be helpful if you have to use your warranty and show that you properly maintained your vehicle. Otherwise, your claim might be denied.

Thanks for posting. I was about to post the same thing.

I'm not sure if I believe a guy on the internet saying he was denied because he did his own oil change. I would have to ask him two questions: What company is the "third party?" And, did they deny the claim because you did an oil change or because they are claiming the oil change was done incorrectly which caused the issue?

 

[josephp732]

I do all the regular maintenance on my vehicles (oil changes - 5k OCI's, differential and transfer case fluids 30k OCI's, transmission fluid 30k OCI's, brake flushes and steering fluid). I keep a manual log and document everything. I have never had an issue with a warranty claim. Also, at resale it's a great to be able to show buyers that you have maintained your cars and trucks. I use this simple log book and keep it in my glove box: https://www.amazon.com/Vehicle-Maintenance-Log-Book-Motorcycles/dp/B0F4R6MP3H/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0

Example page from my 2021 4Runners log:

 

[Geo8866]

Document w/Time Stamped Photos of the process ALWAYS!!!
Once on a previous Taurus SHO, on a warranty issue, I was asked by Ford for any oil change documentation. Without any receipts I just provided a string of documented changes exactly like this. The service writer said they’d never seen anybody do it this way. Ford made a decision within 48 hours that I had gone above & beyond the o/c interval as I could prove service every 6-9 months irregardless of mileage. They never asked for anything else and totally took care of me.
This is how I’ve done it for the last 12-15 years now. It was great when you could post photos in the Ford Pass App under the service icon. Just keep them in a separate folder now.

I do the same. In addition, I upload receipts and photos to Carfax Car care so they are easily accessible.

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