Troubleshooter: Grab a six-pack of oil filters when you buy a new car

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If you’re like the average vehicle owner, you quickly deflect from your dealership’s service department after purchasing your new ride. You’ll usually replace that service provider with a local independent shop, or a convenient franchise outlet, or even take care of minor maintenance items yourself. There are a number of reasons for this move. Convenience, perceived lower pricing, and quicker service usually top the list.

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Even customers that continue to frequent their factory retailer after their manufacturers’ warranties expire will go to neighbourhood oil-changer facilities, because it’s hard to beat their convenience. No matter what oil-change store you use, whether a one-shop independent or one of a coast-to-coast chain, they all have one thing in common; they will have signage inside and out that proudly states their services are ‘warranty-approved’.

Keep detailed maintenance records

And if you ask any carmaker exec, they’ll agree; there’s no clause in their warranties that state customers must return to the dealership for routine maintenance or non-warranty repairs. But vehicle warranties aren’t administered for the customer by the automaker; that’s done at the dealership. With longer vehicle warranties, especially engine coverage which often exceed five years, it’s not unusual for a dealership (on behalf of the carmaker) to request proof of maintenance before processing a warranty repair. And, to paraphrase Shakespeare; there’s the expensive rub.

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When it comes to a pricey engine repair or replacement, dealer staff makes sure all the I’s are dotted and the T’s are crossed. They will review maintenance records to ensure recommended schedules have been followed and those service receipts need to contain the vehicle ID number, as well as date and mileage and a detailed description of what was performed and what parts and fluids were used. As jurisdictions across the country have consumer legislation requiring this of all auto repair facilities, this isn’t much of a problem.

Non-factory oil filters can void your warranty

But the use of non-factory oil filters may be a concern. Every carmaker’s warranty policy contains the clause “damage caused by non-factory components or parts” under the heading, ‘what’s not covered by your warranty’. In reality, your local oil-changer’s oil filter isn’t likely to cause an engine failure, but, that hasn’t stopped some dealerships from refusing warranty coverage, especially to a client that didn’t buy the vehicle from them in the first place. Dealers make lower profit margins on warranty repairs and their claim expenses are closely tracked by the automaker. If these costs get beyond regional averages, dealers may face charge-backs or audits. And as they’re recognized as independent businesses, automakers have little power to force them to do business with any particular customer. So if a dealership service department says the problem is related to your oil-changer’s filter, what can you do? You can raise your case with the automaker’s consumer help-line, but that help can be slow in coming and not without inconvenience.

One simple and easy solution is to pick up a few oil filters from the dealership when you get your new ride. Ask nicely and they may even throw in a case at no extra charge. Keep them in the trunk or home garage and when you pull into your neighbourhood oil changer, ask them to use the factory filter and to record its use on their receipt. Keep the original proof of purchase of the filters with your maintenance records and avoid the headaches.