Originally Posted By: turtlevette
Originally Posted By: NHHEMI
The car mfg has a right to set certain requirements the consumer must adhere to for the factory warranty to remain in effect. That is reasonable IMO.
You seem to very concerned about dealer "rights". The guys that are constantly acting in questionable ways toward the car owner. You're calling someone dishonest. I bet you saw a lot of dishonest at your work and I bet it wasn't coming from the customers.
A head gasket has absolutely nothing to do with OCIs. Its a shame people are not more educated on automotive issues.
A person could make a good case for extended OCIs in court. Using a high quality synthetic oil, arguing that service was mild, and making a case that you're being environmentally friendly are all very good arguments. We're trying to save the planet here not just being irresponsible with maintenance. The big piggish polluting car manufs need to be punished.
The oil companies warrant the use of their high end oils for 15K+ miles being another big argument.
1st of all it isn't about "dealer rights". The dealer doesn't provide the warranty the car mfg does. I am not really concerned about the car mfg's right either but rather my rights as a consumer.
MY rights as a consumer are in large part based on adhering to warranty policy from the car mfg though. Car mfg's have the right to set terms the consumer must follow in order to preserve the factory warranty on the new car they just bought. If I as the consumer don't follow those terms "I" just voided my warranty not the car mfg.
You, like so many, seem to group all dealerships and all dealer employees into a whole and that is just not right. And for the record TONS of people come to the dealer and lie like a rug to try and get something
THEY did fixed under warranty. Yes, lots of dealerships/dealership employees are dishonest. However, many customers are as well.
Not all dealerships are dishonest nor are all the dealer employees employee's crooked or stupid. I was very honest as were the parts and service folks I worked with. I made it a point to be educated on the vehicles we serviced. I actually questioned( as much as I could )any questionable policies we had. The issues where I worked stemmed from the owner who was not overly ethical at times. The service manager, parts manager, and myself( assistant parts manager - also worked the service counter a LOT )did what we could to be honest/ethical but you can't argue with the owner and keep your job.
When did I, or anyone else, say anything about a head gasket failure and OCI's? I went out of my way to specifically state that OCI would only come into play in specific engine failure cases. Kind of exaggerating for effect there a bit are we?
I hope you never go to court in a case like this topic is about. Seriously? You would argue saving the planet as a valid and
LEGAL defense for exceeding the mfg's OCI limits? Wow. The only thing that matters in any case is the law. In a car warranty dispute involving the OCI did the owner follow the OCI limits that are clearly stated by the car mfg in the owner's manual( or a service manual or some kind of addendum/TSB )is all that will matter. That is
IT! Did you follow those requirements( within reason - as said earlier 2 weeks and/or 500 miles over is ok but 6 months and 5K+ over is not ). Your "impassioned" argument to the judge about saving the planet, punishing the evil car mfg, synthetics are better, etc... are really meaningless.
LEGAL reasons will determine the outcome not emotional ones or even technically accurate ones if they go against the warranty contract.
What the oil company warrants their oil for mileage wise is irrelevant if you are talking about the car mfg's factory warranty and a court case. Means nothing. The only way it comes into play is if the car mfg says no you can then try and get the oil mfg who has a 15K warranty to cover it( best of luck ).
I don't want to get into a huge "who's manhood is bigger" contest here with you. I am simply giving my answer to the OP's question based on experience dealing with this not only as a consumer who had to have an engine replaced under warranty( actually my Sister's 06 Impala - but I handled it all for her )but also as someone who has worked dealer service and dealt with warranty in cases like this. If you think different that is your right. I know that I will never mess with the warranty unless I am fully prepared to pay the consequences if something happens. I follow the warranty requirements. I use the brands( parts and fluids )I want but I make sure they meet all spec's and I do the maintenance within the mfg's allowed for timeline. They are happy, I am happy, and if something goes wrong it gets fixed with no hassle.