Just got back from the dealer (5K service)
06-03-2006, 01:26 PM
#1
3rd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Long Island, New York
Posts: 601
Just got back from the dealer (5K service)
I was getting tired of the posts saying some members were removing their new CAIs and putting the stock tune in when they took their cars in for service. I had a CAI on my 02 300M and never had a problem when I took it in for service. I didn't remove anything, even left the tuner in the back seat. Got to the service department for Able Ford (in Oceanside, NY), the guys there were cool, loved the car, even another lady that was there with her 06 silver GT got out of her car went to talk to me about my car. They all loved the Borlas by the way, I was surprised the lady liked them 'cause she's probably in her 50s, she was very nice though. Very positive experience all around, I was outta there in about an hour.
Oh, I was talking to one of the guys at the counter and he told me they had a 05+ Mustang getting some work done, the owner put a nitrous kit in it and the car wouldn't even get out of 1st gear! I guess you should be ok with nitrous if you can get a good installer and don't go crazy with it, just not something I would do to my car.
Oh, I was talking to one of the guys at the counter and he told me they had a 05+ Mustang getting some work done, the owner put a nitrous kit in it and the car wouldn't even get out of 1st gear! I guess you should be ok with nitrous if you can get a good installer and don't go crazy with it, just not something I would do to my car.
06-03-2006, 03:58 PM
#3
Retired MF Moderator
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: I live in Canada, eh
Posts: 7,156
RE: Just got back from the dealer (5K service)
You were only in for service. Wait till you have a problem and then see what they say.
You might be still get lucky and have one of the "good" dealers who will choose to look the other way but not everyone can count on that happening.
You might be still get lucky and have one of the "good" dealers who will choose to look the other way but not everyone can count on that happening.
06-03-2006, 06:52 PM
#4
1st Gear Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location: NJ
Posts: 105
RE: Just got back from the dealer (5K service)
It's actually illegal for a manufacturer to not honor a warranty due to a bolt on enhancement purchased from another business. The only way a modification can void a warranty is if/when the part you put in actually caused damage to something else. in that case, only the part(s) actually damaged by the bolt on part would not be covered. There must be cause proven to be voided. If you put on a CAI and your transmission fails, there's no connection, so your tranny should be covered. They must honor the warranty. This doesn't mean you won't find dealers that are jerks and will look to find any reason to screw with you. And of course Ford probably hassles them to look for signs that people are "racing", which can void your warranty. Typical bolt ons are usually not a problem. If you're encountering problems, I suggest looking for another dealer. I've been buying cars from the same dealer for years, and they (so far anyway) have always treated me well. You're always better off if they consider you a loyal customer.
If you want more information on the law, search for Magnusson-Moss Act. Hopefully I spelled that correctly. If you ever need to use this info, it's probably better not to go in kicking, screaming, and citing the Magnusson-Moss act, but rather sit down with the service manager (or if he's a jerk, and you're a good returning customer, go over his head to the General Sales Manager, because he probably doesn't want to lose your business over a warranty repair) and explain calmly how your simple bolt on had nothing to do with the failure of something totally unrelated. And NEVER say that you put stuff on to make it FASTER, and never talk about "racing". You just say you like the sound better, or wanted a more efficiantly running car, or better mileage, etc.
Also, within the past few months, Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords had a big article on this. You may be able to look it up through them.
One more thing - I am not stating that I know for sure how this law applies to computerized engine management changes. Since tuning is just a minute or two, it just might be better to put the stock tune back in if you have engine or tranny problems and you don't trust your dealership. Maybe someone else can chime in on this part. I definately would not (and never have) take apart my bolt ons for warranty work.
Hopethis helps.
If you want more information on the law, search for Magnusson-Moss Act. Hopefully I spelled that correctly. If you ever need to use this info, it's probably better not to go in kicking, screaming, and citing the Magnusson-Moss act, but rather sit down with the service manager (or if he's a jerk, and you're a good returning customer, go over his head to the General Sales Manager, because he probably doesn't want to lose your business over a warranty repair) and explain calmly how your simple bolt on had nothing to do with the failure of something totally unrelated. And NEVER say that you put stuff on to make it FASTER, and never talk about "racing". You just say you like the sound better, or wanted a more efficiantly running car, or better mileage, etc.
Also, within the past few months, Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords had a big article on this. You may be able to look it up through them.
One more thing - I am not stating that I know for sure how this law applies to computerized engine management changes. Since tuning is just a minute or two, it just might be better to put the stock tune back in if you have engine or tranny problems and you don't trust your dealership. Maybe someone else can chime in on this part. I definately would not (and never have) take apart my bolt ons for warranty work.
Hopethis helps.
06-03-2006, 07:56 PM
#5
3rd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Long Island, New York
Posts: 601
RE: Just got back from the dealer (5K service)
ORIGINAL: yur1279
So they didn't day anythign about the CAI, ect?
So they didn't day anythign about the CAI, ect?
But like dtuna said, it's just illegal for them to give you a hard time about a bolt on unless they can prove it caused a problem.
06-03-2006, 08:12 PM
#6
Retired MF Moderator
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: I live in Canada, eh
Posts: 7,156
RE: Just got back from the dealer (5K service)
ORIGINAL: dtuna42
It's actually illegal for a manufacturer to not honor a warranty due to a bolt on enhancement purchased from another business. The only way a modification can void a warranty is if/when the part you put in actually caused damage to something else. in that case, only the part(s) actually damaged by the bolt on part would not be covered. There must be cause proven to be voided. If you put on a CAI and your transmission fails, there's no connection, so your tranny should be covered. They must honor the warranty. This doesn't mean you won't find dealers that are jerks and will look to find any reason to screw with you. And of course Ford probably hassles them to look for signs that people are "racing", which can void your warranty. Typical bolt ons are usually not a problem. If you're encountering problems, I suggest looking for another dealer. I've been buying cars from the same dealer for years, and they (so far anyway) have always treated me well. You're always better off if they consider you a loyal customer.
If you want more information on the law, search for Magnusson-Moss Act. Hopefully I spelled that correctly. If you ever need to use this info, it's probably better not to go in kicking, screaming, and citing the Magnusson-Moss act, but rather sit down with the service manager (or if he's a jerk, and you're a good returning customer, go over his head to the General Sales Manager, because he probably doesn't want to lose your business over a warranty repair) and explain calmly how your simple bolt on had nothing to do with the failure of something totally unrelated. And NEVER say that you put stuff on to make it FASTER, and never talk about "racing". You just say you like the sound better, or wanted a more efficiantly running car, or better mileage, etc.
Also, within the past few months, Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords had a big article on this. You may be able to look it up through them.
One more thing - I am not stating that I know for sure how this law applies to computerized engine management changes. Since tuning is just a minute or two, it just might be better to put the stock tune back in if you have engine or tranny problems and you don't trust your dealership. Maybe someone else can chime in on this part. I definately would not (and never have) take apart my bolt ons for warranty work.
Hopethis helps.
It's actually illegal for a manufacturer to not honor a warranty due to a bolt on enhancement purchased from another business. The only way a modification can void a warranty is if/when the part you put in actually caused damage to something else. in that case, only the part(s) actually damaged by the bolt on part would not be covered. There must be cause proven to be voided. If you put on a CAI and your transmission fails, there's no connection, so your tranny should be covered. They must honor the warranty. This doesn't mean you won't find dealers that are jerks and will look to find any reason to screw with you. And of course Ford probably hassles them to look for signs that people are "racing", which can void your warranty. Typical bolt ons are usually not a problem. If you're encountering problems, I suggest looking for another dealer. I've been buying cars from the same dealer for years, and they (so far anyway) have always treated me well. You're always better off if they consider you a loyal customer.
If you want more information on the law, search for Magnusson-Moss Act. Hopefully I spelled that correctly. If you ever need to use this info, it's probably better not to go in kicking, screaming, and citing the Magnusson-Moss act, but rather sit down with the service manager (or if he's a jerk, and you're a good returning customer, go over his head to the General Sales Manager, because he probably doesn't want to lose your business over a warranty repair) and explain calmly how your simple bolt on had nothing to do with the failure of something totally unrelated. And NEVER say that you put stuff on to make it FASTER, and never talk about "racing". You just say you like the sound better, or wanted a more efficiantly running car, or better mileage, etc.
Also, within the past few months, Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords had a big article on this. You may be able to look it up through them.
One more thing - I am not stating that I know for sure how this law applies to computerized engine management changes. Since tuning is just a minute or two, it just might be better to put the stock tune back in if you have engine or tranny problems and you don't trust your dealership. Maybe someone else can chime in on this part. I definately would not (and never have) take apart my bolt ons for warranty work.
Hopethis helps.
HOWEVER, when you make a thread because........
ORIGINAL: dkano
I was getting tired of the posts saying some members were removing their new CAIs and putting the stock tune in when they took their cars in for service.
I was getting tired of the posts saying some members were removing their new CAIs and putting the stock tune in when they took their cars in for service.
ORIGINAL: dkano
I guess you should be ok with nitrous if you can get a good installer and don't go crazy with it, just not something I would do to my car.
I guess you should be ok with nitrous if you can get a good installer and don't go crazy with it, just not something I would do to my car.
We have been through the magnusson moss act a thousand times. MM&FF even did an article on it last month. There are even a few threads here where people have tried that approach. It just doesn't seem to work and you can end up with your warranty voided in Ford's computer so that no Dealer will touch it. Sure, you can go ahead and take them to court but that's expensive and time consuming and there is no guarantee that you will win.
My point was simply that the dealer CAN tell you to go fly a kite if have done ANYTHING to the car. Not all of them will do that, but it does happen.
I'm glad you have not had any problems yet and I hope you never do, but there ARE people who have had problems with their warranty due to simple mods.
My point is that if you want to go ahead and mod your car, that's great but don't count on the Dealer honoring your warranty because it just might not happen.
06-03-2006, 09:21 PM
#7
1st Gear Member
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 147
RE: Just got back from the dealer (5K service)
Yes a Ford service manager, dealer manger, dealer owner, etc. can go tell you to XXXXX.
But you can also have a talk with, or send someting in writing, to the Ford Regional rep........................
I suspect the Ford dealers will rather have customers pay for work than Ford. The billing is easier, and at a higher rate from the customer.
But you can also have a talk with, or send someting in writing, to the Ford Regional rep........................
I suspect the Ford dealers will rather have customers pay for work than Ford. The billing is easier, and at a higher rate from the customer.
06-03-2006, 11:48 PM
#9
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 22
RE: Just got back from the dealer (5K service)
It"s a whole new ballgame now fella"s. Ford just came out with DRAG-PACKS, if you read the part where it say"s only if the manufacturer doesn"t offer the same part.Guess what"s in the new packages- a tuner,headers,air-intake system, It won"t be long, and everything out there will be avail. at your local Ford dealer,and guess what happens if they see other companies stuff on your car when some thing is wrong with it?
06-04-2006, 01:42 AM
#10
I ♥ Acer
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location:
Posts: 619
RE: Just got back from the dealer (5K service)
Interesting! I traded a 1999 dark charcoal 300M in for my Bluebonnet. It was a good car, but I hate 4 door cars and they didn't have a dark blue color....problem solved with Bluebonnet!!