Originally Posted by wdn
Everything in this forum is someone else's opinion, based on viewpoint of whoever is posting, including me.
If you're fortunate the Ford dealer will just give you another transmission with no questions asked, and good luck to you, that would be your lucky day. Let us know how you make out. It is not a new car warranty being discussed it is a limited warranty. People who are relying on Magnusson Moss act should remember this is a limited warranty with exclusions not a new car warranty. Under the act a limited warranty has different protections under the law. A lmited warranty just needs to clearly spell out limitations and restrictions, which the Ford warranty does
Here are some claims made by Valvoline about Valvoline MaxLife Multi-Vehicle ATF:
Valvoline has conducted extensive in-house testing, independent lab testing, and field-testing to support MaxLife Multi-Vehicle ATF performance in the broadest range of transmissions; however, it should be noted that MaxLife Multi-Vehicle ATF is not an OEM licensed product. The respective vehicle manufacturers have neither evaluated nor endorsed MaxLife Multi-Vehicle ATF in these applications. If an OEM licensed product is preferred we recommend Valvoline DEXRON® VI, Valvoline ATF+4® and Valvoline MERCON®V for the corresponding applications.
Hmm Not licensed not endorsed, not evaluated by Ford even though Valvoline sells other products that do pass muster, only you chose to buy the one that doesn't. Note that Ford does not require you to buy their Motorcraft brand either but they have a right to set an engineering spec that the Valvloline ATF in question expressly does not meet.
Here is the the Ford limited warranty for certified pre-owned vehicles:
"7. Care of vehicle. Your vehicle must be properly operated and maintained in accordance with the maintenance schedule in the service guide, which is part of the owner's guide, for the vehicle. Proof of maintenance may be required in the event a question arises as to whether a malfunction is caused by a defect in factory-supplied materials or workmanship or lack of proper maintenance. It is your responsibility to make sure that all of the scheduled maintenance is performed and that the materials used meet Ford engineering specifications. Failure to perform scheduled maintenance as specified in the service guide will invalidate warranty coverage on parts affected by the lack of maintenance. . Make sure that receipts for completed maintenance work are retained with the vehicle and confirmation of maintenance work is always entered in your scheduled maintenance guide."
So can you prove all of the following
1. That you have proof of maintenance, all service records on the transmission including receipts for the fluid
2. All materials used meet Ford engineering specifications — already failed that requirement
3. Does Valvoline ATF meet Ford specifications and can you prove it? According to Valvoline it clearly does not
4. Valvoline does sell products that meet a Ford spec but your MaxLife is not one of them. In writing, by Valvoline
5. Do your receipts if you have receipts, show. MaxLife ATF on them? Most likely they do if they are like any auto store receipts. They show an unapproved material was used for maintenance
You're forgetting the fact that Ford says that this particular transmission requires NO maintenance until 150k miles, under normal service. So the OP doesn't have to show ANY receipts or proof of maintenance for this repair. He could tell the dealer that he never did a single thing to maintain the transmission, and the warranty would stay perfectly intact, since that's exactly what Ford TOLD him to do.
