I'm ordering an '09 Fit Sport in a few weeks. Since this will be my first factory-new car purchase ever, I'm a little unclear about Honda's and their dealer networks' policies regarding owners doing regular maintenance themselves rather that taking the car to the dealer or even a recognized service facility.

I'm an aircraft maintenance engineer (AME) by trade and have worked around cars for most of my life, so most maintenance tasks (oil changes, brake pad changes, bleeding brake systems, filter changes, etc) are well within my reach and level of expertise.

My questions are:

As long as I provide dated receipts for parts and service items purchased for my new car, will this satisfy warranty requirements?

Do Honda dealers have some sleazoid system whereby if you take your car to a non-dealer service garage for say, a coolant system flush or engine diagnostics, they will void the warranty?

Do Honda dealers tend to look for excuses to get out of honoring warranties? I'm not referring to the obvious warranty violations, ie: an owner installing a nitrous oxide set-up or after-market stand-alone system but rather, an owner simply opening the hood and changing an air filter--- only to have the dealer's service manager tell you the replacement of that faulty sensor won't be covered because "you must have done something to it."

I'd like to think that dealerships would elect to do the right thing and refrain from such practices but like many, I've heard my share of horror stories. I realize that many of these shady activities can be successfully fought in court, but I'd just as soon never have to go that route in the first place.

What experiences, good or bad, have you encountered while dealing with warranty claims?

 

Pretty good with my Honda's, not so good with Subaru. There are mod-friendly Subie dealers, and not-mod-friendly. I have found some Honda dealers to respect those that modify their cars and can tell that they worship their cars and trust that they are in the best care, regardless of who is doing it. Don't hesitate in doing your own basic maintenance. They over-list required service items and charged big money for it.

Welcome to the forum by the way!

 

I just went thew this on a 99 Accord with a Bogus AT. I showed them my log book (no receipts) in which I had documented the ATF changes being sooner or on time to there requirements. Also use Honda ATF

I do the same on the oil and by LAW they can't deny a claim if you follow those intervals and use the recommended products.

Chance are good the eng will last way pass the warranty time.

 

I know very little about the what the warranty terms fully entail... but here's what I think.

When we got our 08 Fit Sport they told us service has to be done at that particular Honda store since we live within 60 miles. They didn't even care that I'm much closer to a certified Honda store when I went to work.

So I don't think they're going to be that open to you supplying receipts or your own service record. I hate to say that, just because I've hated going to a dealer to have service done before doesn't mean I'd hate Honda Service.

And if I didn't think so much of the possiblity of having a warranty, I'd maintain the vehicle myself. It's purely up to you what you do of course...

 

A warranty cannot be denied for doing your own oil changes or maintenance, or for bringing it to an independent mechanic. If any automaker would try to deny a warranty for doing either of those, they'd quickly lose a lawsuit brought upon them.

 

Interesting replies, and thanks for this info. It appears to be just as I expected, ie: Most dealerships will be up-front and accommodating within reason, but a few will actually lie to you in order to keep you coming back to them only.

I'm thinking the best strategy would be to call several dealers before placing my order, posing as a current owner with a warranty issue. Those who tell me I need to have purchased the car from them in order to get warranty coverage get boycotted--- and outed--- by me.

I like the logbook idea, being that I'm very familiar with the procedure from working on airplanes. Kinda hard for any dealer to argue against written documentation backed up by dated receipts and entries.

 

Then why do they make a big deal about it at the dealership when I bought the car? I know they want to make the money through service and parts, but is that the only reason?

 

Please don't take this as a flame. It is not. I just want to point out some inacuracies in your post and address this topic in general.


The above statements by your dealer are complete bunk, and may be in violation of laws in your state, to require you to have to go to a dealer for basic maintenance service.

If the work is warranty work, like a power steering issue, like some have had on this site, then you MUST to go to the dealer for Honda of America to pay for the repairs. Other work like brakes, oil, coolant, or other maintanance items are NOT something that the dealer can require you to do at their shop.

If you have a good shop at your Honda dealer, by all means use it. They need they work also. If you ,like I do, have a local garage that you trust there is no reasnon not to have you oil changed there.

Keep your receipts for any oil or other non warranty maintanince items like brake work. Keep a log like sugested above and ther is no way they can void anything. The law is on your side as long as you follow the maintenance schedule in you manual.

Modifications can void you warranty if they cause the failure. For example: A cold air intake that sucks in rain water and causes an engine to hydrolock (it has happened, do a search) the engine is not going to be covered. However if you have a cold air intake and have another engine issue related to say, a water pump failure, there is no standing for voiding a warranty because of an intake.

Some dealers will try to tell you that anything you do will void the warranty. Stay away from these dealers. They are not being honest with you. There are a few dealer people that drop by here from time to time and I am sure that they will concur with this.

Edit: I just saw that he is from Canada. I live on the boarder and watch Canadian TV, but just because I have seen Canadian auto adverts, I am not qualified to comment on Canadian auto laws. Amyone form Canada have experiance with this?

 

Thanks for the information, it means a lot to get everyones help here. I don't know a lot about car warranties, but I don't really want to void it doing something that could be easily avoided.

I guess the more I think about it, it does make sense that they can't make me only use their service.

 

I havent read mine, but warranty paperwork may answer some of this.

 

Because when it is time to buy a new one, you will be in the habit of going to them.....

 

I know that in the diesel world, were mods are king, the big three have made it all but impossible to get looked at for a significant warranty claim IF there is even one little *power* mod on the rig. Magnison Moss be dammed. They have lawyers and deep pockets and will out litigate you 99.99% of the time.

I wouldn't be putting after market intakes on my Fit if I wasn't 100% sure my dealer was behind me...And even then, the regional rep will be called in IF you have an oil related failure that results in either top-end or bottom end warranty work. The rep will trump your buddy-bro-cool-man dealer buddy EVERY time. The rep will go over your car with a fine-toothed comb and if they even smell that the car was modded will void your power-train warranty. I've known Duramax owners that got voided after the rep discovered sticky velcro tape on his under hood fuse box. The rep stated he must have had a chip/fueling box installed (he was right). After the rep performs that little trick it will be up to YOU to prove that your uber-bling intake or whatever didn't cause the failure of the main-bearing, rod, valve etc. You know it didn't, they know it didn't, but you get to prove that it didn't before you get your car worked on. It's their JOB to deny claims and save Honda North America money if they can reasonably prove you caused the issue.

How does this relate to oil changes and warranty? Well, IMO if your are modded at all, and do your own oil changes, your at a significant disadvantage in the event of a major engine related warranty claim. IMO, if you are stock and don't have EVERY receipt and log up to date, you could be at risk for claim denial. If you service your vehicle at your local Honda dealer, have a completely stock rig, you will typically NEVER have a problem with any warranty claim (the rep doesn't have a leg to stand on). You just have to get used to getting it in the pooper every time you want service done to your vehicle.

Bottom line is that if you mod you are at risk for warranty denial. Keep her stock and your gonna' be okay if you follow the rules set forth by Honda.

--D

 

I do all my own maintenance.
And as a mechanic, I often had to open up engines to see the "clean oil" in a grunged and coked up block.
I've told the reps to honor many warranty claims when the owner didn't have any receipts at all. It isn't hard to see if a motor has been maintained.

 

DIY oil changes are a no-no for warranty preservation. A receipt showing you bought oil and a filter does not prove that you actually did the change, or that you didn't just return the parts after buying them. Honda can invalidate your warranty for such records. You are, however, permitted to have your routine maintenance done by an independent mechanic as long as there is a receipt for the work done specifically citing the VIN or license plate number.

That said, most dealers follow the spirit of the rule, rather than the letter. If you have good documentation (receipts + maintenance log), they will honor warranty claims.

 

And to give you a little bit of good news, Hondas in general are not known for grenading engines, weak trannys, bad design, or shoddy worksmanship. I hear and understand what everyone is saying about DIY oil changes being bad for maintaining your warranty but I choose to do them anyway. I fully expect to drive this car out of powertrain protection within the first year of ownership and I sleep at night just fine. Remember that if warranty issues were really a big problem with this car there would probably be a separate forum heading just for people to vent their spleens about it. "Honda NA F#4%ed ME Blah blah blah" As for making money, damn near every Fit they sell leaves the dealer at or above MSRP and as fast as they can fill out the paperwork ( at least here on the East Coast) so they needn't try too hard to screw you with the service dept.

 

I'm right there with you . By the 1 year mark on my Fit I will be at about 40,000. With the amount of miles I put on I can't afford to go to the dealer for oil changes, even with the discounts they send me.
This car is very easy to work on. It may be a small car, but with this small of an engine just about everything is accessable from the top. The underside is well laid out also.

 

As for mods, I have no intention of doing anything of the sort. I'm an old geezer, so I'm under no illusion that mods might get me laid and besides, I don't want my car to become a magnet for thieving punks with the mistaken notion that driving a modded Fit might magically change them from frustrated virgins into sex gods surrounded by nymphomaniac insomniac female porn stars.

But having said that, I still intend to do my own oil changes and the like, even if it means I have to back up the work with not only dated receipts but also digicam video footage of me doing the deed, complete with close-ups of the VIN. Let their lawyers argue with that.

 

frustrated virgins into sex gods surrounded by nymphomaniac insomniac female porn stars.

But having said that, I still intend to do my own oil changes and the like, even if it means I have to back up the work with not only dated receipts but also digicam video footage of me doing the deed, complete with close-ups of the VIN. Let their lawyers argue with that.[/quote]

That first bit is the entire reason I bought the Fit in the first place! This should be on the cover of Super Street magazine every month under the cover car. That being said I should hope you won't have to go to such lengths in the unlikely event of a warranty covered failure. Honda hasn't risen to their current position in the world marketplace by routinely screwing its customers. Refusing to replace a motor grenaded by a misguided 120 shot of nitrous perhaps, but that is another matter entirely.

 

if you are really paranoid, you can bring your own oil to a really cheap quicky lube place and have them do it with your own oil at a large discount.

Or you can change it yourself, bring it to a dealer, and show them the clean oil on the dip stick, and have them sign off on it? <--- would that work?

Also i would ask for written documentation that says your warranty will be voided if maintenance is not done at the dealer, and that it will be voided if its not done by them. There probably isnt any proof of this idea...

Also, If your car DID break, they would have to prove in court that the engine / whatever failed BECAUSE of the DIY oil changes, or a lack of oil changes... which would be impossible to prove in situations where it wasn't actually the cause... They cant just make a blame and say sorry you should have had us change the oil, They have to prove it was neglected, and lack of documentation doesn't mean or prove any neglect.

 

I'm a former car mechanic. I do my own maintenance and save my reciepts for oil, filters, and etc. I go an extra mile by using Honda filters (so a failure can't be blamed on an aftermarket filter) and I cut the UPC codes off of my oil and transmission fluid bottles and filters and save them (stapled to the approriate page in my maintenance book), to prove that the products were purchased. I've never had a warranty issue on my Honda, nor have I ever had a problem with warranty repairs on any car I have owned.