Originally Posted By: WellOiled
Dave,
1. Thanks for relating the manufacturers' warranties to the M/M Warranty Act. This eliminates confusion along these lines. You are a quintessential researcher.
2. Using the example 2.4L Galant application, what is NAPA Online trying to do or communicate with the statements on their site
"Important Info : Oil Drain Intervals Of Up To 5000 Miles / 8000 Kilometers" and how does this relate to the limited warranty? Are they trying to limit an implied warranty?
Thanks again.
Again - first thing to understand is the M/M warranty act.
All warranties are implied unless otherwise stated. They (Napa) are not "trying" to limit an implied warranty.
They are replacing an implied warranty with a written limited warranty.
The distinction is that you don't limit an implied warranty. It is wholly superseded if a written warranty is in place.
When the written warranty specifically disclaims, voids or otherwise discounts the "implied" warranty, it becomes the controlling entity.
So, companies most always make written warranty statements to supersede implied statements. So any marketing garbage you read is null and void once the written statement is in effect. Once written, it can either be "full" or "limited". Most all companies do "written limited warranties".
The conditions are clearly stated on the Napa warranty:
NAPA Filters warrants each NAPA filter to be free from defects in material and workmanship during the period of service life recommended by the engine or equipment manufacturer. (underline my emphasis)
No mention whatsoever of any mileage limit. Whatever the OEM equipment manufacturer recommends is the service life of the filter.
For the Galant, it's 2x the OCI; i.e. 15k miles for normal service. Does not state what filter (pro select, silver, gold). Does not matter. For it to matter, they would have to state it as so in the warranty if they wanted to delineate the warranty by specific product. But they don't, so we don't have to either!
Note: the Wix filter warranty statement is very similar. Wanna guess why? ....
MANN+HUMMEL Filtration Technology US LLC warrants each WIX filter to be free from defects in material and workmanship during the period of service life recommended by the engine or equipment manufacturer.
There is nothing stopping any company from putting out marketing info (more appropriately innuendo) that makes the uninformed believe something that isn't true.
There are a few companies that are willing to stick their neck out a bit further, such as the Mobil oil warranty. Where they state you can use their oils (for this example I'll pick the dino Super) for 5,000 miles or the OEM limit, whichever is LONGER!!!!! But, they also state that one must adhere to the OEM recommendations, so if "severe" use results in 3k mile limits from the OEM, then it would be an interesting conversation to try and make them live up to their 5k mile advice. Good luck with that in arbitration.
Ever check out the Valvoline Engine Guarantee? It's different from their overall lube warranty. The specific Engine Guarantee warranty mandates that one change oil/filter every 4k miles. Does not matter if you use dino or syn, the OFCI requirement are all the same! Read it; very interesting (and limiting). You have to "register" and follow strict protocol. And the failure, should the unlikely happen, still has to be lube related, or they still won't pay!
I chuckle at some of these new filter marketing statements. Fram Ultra up to 20k miles. But the secret is that it would only be available if the OEM limit was that long. Say, for example, your car had an IOLM, and you could milk it out so 20k miles. Using an Ultra in that sense might be OK. But in theory, even the EG Fram would qualify. Again - the written limited warranty does not distinguish between different models of filters, so they ALL are COVERED under the SAME WRITTEN LIMITED WARRANTY STATEMENT. The EG, the TG and the FU are all warranted the same. So if the IOLM says go 20k miles, and you have an EG on there, then the EG is covered and so are you! Here is the official Fram warranty:
FRAM filters are warranted against defects in design, materials and workmanship. New vehicle warranties remain in effect when FRAM filters are installed according to directions on FRAM filter packaging and replaced at least as often as vehicle manufacturer’s recommended change intervals.
"Fram filters" is not unique to the Ultra. It's ALL of them, covered under that warranty. So if the IOLM says go 20k miles, and the OEM protocol is to FCI with the OCI, then the filter also, regardless of it's "quality" is also OK for that OCI. Maybe the IOLM only says 12k miles. Or 16k miles. Or 8k miles. Does not matter; that's the OEM limit, and Fram says it's "filters" (non-specific) are OK for that limit. Same goes for fuel filters or air filters. What the OEM determines, is the Fram limit. Period. None of that marketing on the box makes a darn bit of difference. I also find it a bit joyous that Fram takes the time to remind you about the M/M act when it comes to OEM products, but really does a poor job of applying that logic to their OWN products!
I agree with GoodTimes to some degree; severe service is to easily applied. It does become the backdoor "easy way out" for the OEM and aftermarket. Did you start your car and drive it today? Well there's a darn good chance that is "severe". The grand irony I see in marketing is that if you believed every truck commercial on TV, these trucks are indestructible and harder than granite. But by gosh you'd better pamper that engine or they will say you were not appropriately caring for it. If we are to believe what "severe" really means by OEM description, they why in the Hades would I ever buy anything but the cheapest certified lube and least expensive "approved" filter? Why buy an FU and Mobil 1 if "severe" makes me OFCI every 3k miles? THIS IS THE GRAND IRONY I TRY TO GET PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND. There is a TON of reserve capacity (capability) in "normal" products. Even a EG Fram can easily go 5-7k miles. But if you want to believe that you're "severe" in use, why in the blue-blazing Hades would you ever buy an FU? And if you dare to use your FU past "severe" limits, they you must admit openly that the FRAM warranty won't cover you any more than the OEM warranty, because you exceeded the OEM limits of the OFCI! Fram has every right to deny/delay your claim if you're "severe", but dare use the FU to it's stated "20,000" miles when the manual or IOLM states otherwise! DO YOU SEE THE HYPOCRISY HERE??????? There is nearly ZERO reason to ever buy anything more than dino oil and inexpensive filters. The majority of OEM warranties state what the OFCI should be, and every filter maker has the SAME warranty for ALL their filters. ARE YOUR EYES OPEN YET?????
Filter warranties are not delineated by model, so the same coverage applies to ALL of the maker's filters. A EG is every bit as covered as an FU, and an FU has no warranty coverage past an EG. Same goes for Napa silver and gold. Purolator classics and BOSS. Etc, etc, etc.
If your OFCI supports a distance of "X,xxx" miles, then ANY of the filters are covered.
If your OFCI does not support a distance of "Y,yyy miles, then NONE of the filters are covered.
So a premium filter has NOT ADVANTAGE WHATSOEVER in terms of warranty coverage over it's lowly counterparts regarding distances.
An FU is no more capable than is an EG in terms of FCIs, because the OEM limits apply to all.
How about the new Mobil 1 Annual Protection oil?
https://mobiloil.com/en/article/warranties/limited-warranty/mobil-1-annual-protection-oil-warranty
Read this closely:
Be advised that if your vehicle is covered by a warranty, you should follow the vehicle’s oil life sensor or the oil change interval recommended in your owner’s manual to avoid a disruption in your vehicle warranty. Follow your owner’s manual if the vehicle is operated in any of the following severe services: racing or commercial applications including taxis, limousines, etc.; frequent towing or hauling; extremely dusty or dirty conditions; or under excessive idling conditions.
Getting dangerously close to the "severe" definition, aren't they?
And they specifically tell you to follow the OEM service interval during the OEM warranty! Why? Because they want the OEM to cover the warranty risk, not Mobil! Read closely! If your ride is under warranty, "you should follow the vehicle's oil life sensor or the oil change interval recommended ..." So, how is it that they offer a "20,000 mile or one year" oil, but they want you to follow the OEM OFCI under the OEM warranty? They just induced their easy way out; if you follow the OEM warranty, then Mobil does not have to warranty anything because the OEM warranty is still in effect! They will pawn you off right back to the OEM. And the OEM is going to ask "Did you follow the OFCI schedule?" Does not matter if you have a 5k mile rated oil or a 20k mile rated oil. Did you follow the OEM schedule?
The dino Mobil super is rated to 5k miles OR the OFCI OEM limit, whichever is longer.
The Mobil 1 AP is rated to 20k miles OR the OFCI OEM limit, but while under OEM warranty you need to follow the OEM limits, so you'll likely NEVER see 20k miles before you see one year. In fact, if you have a car that has a fixed OEM OFCI limit (say 5k or 7k miles), just how much of this Mobil 1 AP "cheap insurance" are you going to waste money on? Even the dino oil will do the OEM limit!
I so vehemently dislike marketing drivel. But, it works because there are a LOT of people who don't understand the M/M act, and don't know how to read or research their own facts. Aftermarket companies sell top-tier products by the bazillions to fools who don't understand what they are buying. You're not only getting the product, but the warranty with that product. The warranty actually protects the maker far, far more than it does the consumer. Without the "written limited warranty" statement, there would be an expectation of unlimited product support. No company can sustain that. So they are allowed to limit their exposure to the product. READ M/M closely! While they can warrant the effects of a failed product if they choose to, they are not obligated to do so! They can legally limit their exposure to ONLY the cost or replacement of the product and NOT the whole item (cover the filter but not the engine!). That would be BAD public relations, but the law is the law. They are only obligated IF they state additional coverage in the written warranty.
THIS IS ABOUT BURDEN OF PROOF AND WARRANTY LIMITS. Read the written statement.
Pay ZERO ATTENTION (nada, zip, zilch, none) to the marketing bovine manure.
Legal written limited warranties rule. You can take 'em to the bank.
Marketing garbage is just that. Never pay any heed to the stupidity you see on the box or hyped up commercials.
Caveat Emptor. 
