Filter Mfg Warranty Coverage during usage of "oversized filters"
- Thread starter The Critic
- Start date
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- Sep 1, 2024
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And it’s a whole year of warranty besides all the hoops.
And most light-duty automotive applications require an oil and oil filter replacement annually, so the time period should be a non-issue.
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If the filter causes engine damage, that's covered for the entire time the filter is on the engine as long as the filter was not ran past the recommended interval. The "one year" warranty period is on the workmanship of the filter itself. Some vehicles, like Honda with its A/B service schedule could run a filter for more than a year per the maintenance schedule.
And of course, if the filter is not the model specified by the filter maker all warranty is void. This has been mentioned many times in various threads for many years.
And of course, if the filter is not the model specified by the filter maker all warranty is void. This has been mentioned many times in various threads for many years.
Yep, use of non-spec application filter, basically voids any "filter warranty". Which if you're under vehicle manufacturers warranty, 'could' also result in engine warranty voided in the event of an issue. The Fram filter warranty, pretty standard across all filters.
Even if the right aftermarket filter was used, the vehicle manufacture could still deny any engine damage warranty if they can prove the aftermarket filter caused the damage. They would say contact the aftermarket filter maker for the warranty of the engine damaged caused by their filter.
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GM takes it a step further.
Note also that it is void if you use an oil with different viscosity than the manufacturer's recommendation, so no more 5w30 in those 0w-20 engines kids.
Only if they can prove the oil caused damage. Which they can’t.
wemay
Site Donor 2023
I don't see anything wrong with them voiding the warranty if you use a filter not recommended for your vehicle.
wemay
Site Donor 2023
Although we're in agreement, the real PITA is having to deal with it when debating the dealership and subsequent legal drama.
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It can be I agree. I’ve been part of two warranty denial arbitrations on the side of the dealer. Both didn’t go well for the dealer(GM), they rarely do. Both were obvious customer abuse cases too.
Oil related failures are beyond extremely rare. Only one I’ve seen was part of the 1981 Quaker State oil recall. Quaker State replaced all affected engines.
Higher KV100 isn't going to damage any engine - it will actually help give it better protection with more MOFT between moving parts. Using too high of a W grade might cause engine damage if the W grade is more than it should be for cold starts (ie, lack of lubrication because the oil is too cold and thick to pump).
What causes an oil related engine failure or damage is the lack of oil supply. However, engine damage and/or failure certainly could result if thinner KV100/HTHS viscosity is use in extreme conditions, like track use.
Yes damage is the key. An oil of a somewhat higher grade isn’t going to cause damage, that’s not how it works.
Somehow this just gets misunderstood in so many threads, kids.
Has anyone ever done this and posted here on Bitog? So far it’s a phantom fear as far as I’ve ever seen.
Yep. I’d guarantee if someone had a warranty denial document(due to wrong oil grade) it would be all over the web. Especially here.
I’ve never seen a post where someone has successfully had a filter maker pay for an engine either, so that cuts both ways.
Nonetheless, the burden shifts to you when they tell you no. They have the upper hand every step of the way, same as any other warranty issuer. In theory they are supposed to prove using the wrong grade oil caused the damage, but in reality the burden is on you to prove it didn’t.
Have you been to a warranty denial arbitration? Not how it works. Like I said I’ve been part of two arbitration hearings(worked at a GM dealer for 12 years). Burden of proof is on the dealer. They can’t prove a higher grade caused the damage because it can’t. We tried to deny a warranty on an automatic transmission because the guy was towing 8 Harley’s in an enclosed trailer with a S10 Blazer. We lost….
Also if you read your warranty booklet it clearly states the consumer has the right to arbitration. Believe me the dealer doesn’t want to go to arbitration. The arbitrators rarely side with the dealer/manufacturer.
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