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About 2 months ago, I bought an 03 Mustang GT. It came with a pretty good warranty, and in the fine print, indicated I have to change the oil every 5000km or 3 months (whichever is sooner) to keep the warranty valid. It says that it has to be done by a licensed place and I need to keep the work order. Problem is, I really don't trust these quick oil change places and the dealer is probably way too expensive. Since this is my first "new" car, I am quite particular about it and really hate for anyone to have to touch it. Am I being to picky here? Should I take it to a quick lube place? Do I really have a choice? Thanks for any help.
Is it a certified used ford or did you get it from a a used lot with a third party warranty?
I would say switch to sythetic and do it yourself my buddy has a 03 mach-1 and he runs royal purple
and does his own oil changes and never had a problem. also do the oil filter when everytime you change the oil.
It is from a used lot with a third party warranty. It says on the paperwork for the warranty that self oil changes are not permitted. I'm going to call them though, just to be sure.. I really dont want anyone touching my baby.
Find a small independent shop and see if you can throw them a few bucks for an oil change receipt without actually having them do it. That way you can do your own changes. Thats what I would do... I don't trust anyone to work on my vehicles.
There's some contention over warranty clauses that state you HAVE to have a third party do the changes. For instance all manufacturer warranties recommend it, but allow you to do it yourself provided you keep the receipts that the supplies were purchased. Even then they would need to prove that the failure was idrectly caused by your failure to maintain the vehicle. Of course, it probably isn't worth the time or hassle to have to sue this warranty company if it came down to that.
Probably the best option is to find a local independent shop to either do the oil change or provide you a receipt. While I generally do most of my own work, I do take my cars (even the performance ones I've owned) to a local shop who charged me $10 to do the oil change and I provided the oil and filter.
It's an insidious clause some 3rd party warranty insurers are adding; I suspect it is simply an onerous hurdle they add that one has to jump over/do,
or the warranty co. says, "tough luck" on some related, or even unrelated claim.
It is especially absurd with most people running quality brand synthetic oil, as that 3,000 mile change is an utter waste, and an expensive change,
even at a quick lube joint. Good advice above on the phony receipts or, do the quick lube route, and watch them like a hawk.
Fwiw, there are a couple of decent aftermkt warranties that do not require 3k mile oil changes, but your warranty backer is not one of them.
GL, mD
Too bad you already bought the car, I hope you didn't pay much for that warrenty. Sounds like pure BS to me.
I don't think they can deny you coverage if you change your own oil, keep recipts and log everything in a notebook.
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