Dear Mike,
I recently bought a new car and I’m loving it so far. However, I’m a bit confused about the warranty. Do I have to go to the dealer for service in order to avoid voiding my manufacturer’s warranty? I’ve heard mixed things and I’m not sure what to do. Can you give me some advice?
Thanks,
Roxie
Hey Roxie,
Thanks for reaching out, and congrats on getting yourself a shiny new ride! Nothing beats that “new car smell,” am I right?
Now, to answer your question: no, you don’t have to take your car to the dealer for maintenance in order to keep your warranty intact. That’s right, there’s no need to schlep all the way across town just to get your oil changed and your tires rotated (unless you really want to).
Many people believe that they’re required to service their vehicle at the dealership, but that simply isn’t true. In fact, as long as you follow the maintenance schedule outlined in your owner’s manual and use manufacturer-recommended fluids and parts, your warranty will still be valid.
That means you can take your car to your trusted local mechanic and not have to stress about losing out on any warranty coverage. And let’s be real, who wouldn’t want to support a small business rather than a corporate dealership?
Now, some people might be concerned about the quality of service they’ll receive outside of the dealership. After all, those service technicians are trained specifically to work on your make and model, right?
Well, fear not – there are plenty of qualified mechanics out there who are more than capable of handling your car. Just make sure you do your research and find a reputable shop with a good track record.
And don’t worry about missing out on any recalls or warranty repairs. Your local mechanic has access to the same service information as the dealership, so they’ll be able to handle any necessary repairs just fine.
Of course, if you do have a specific issue that’s covered under warranty, you might want to take it back to the dealership. But for routine maintenance and repairs, you’re free to patronize your favorite local shop without any worries.
So go ahead and keep taking your car to your trusted local mechanic – you’ll still be covered under warranty, and you’ll be supporting a small business at the same time. It’s a win-win!
Happy driving,
Mike Urban