Troubleshooter: Don't let warranty exclusions bite you

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Let’s start this off right: no matter what your car salesperson tells you, there’s no such thing as a bumper-to-bumper warranty. Whether it’s a new entry level compact priced at $15K or a high-flying exotic tagged at $150K, its factory coverage comes with exclusions. Some make sense, some don’t, and almost all will catch a vehicle owner off guard and bring some tense moments at the service counter.

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Troubleshooter: Don't let warranty exclusions bite you Back to video

Glass

Whether windshields, door windows, or back glasses, none are covered for breakage. Some manufacturer plans may cover against cracks, but only those caused by defects and not stone impacts. Also not covered are scratches, so if you live in a dusty area, you might want to check that felt-lined rubber at the bottom of the outside of each door window for grit accumulation. If you want to see if a crack may or may not be covered in a windshield, dig out a hard-tipped ballpoint pen and gently trace the crack on the outer surface. If the pen tip catches anywhere along the crack, examine that spot very closely and you’ll likely find a divot in the glass that indicates an impact and excludes coverage.

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Tires

Most drivers know that if they get tire damage due to a road hazard, they’re on the hook for a repair or replacement, no matter how new the vehicle might be. But manufacturing defects such as shifted treads, sidewall bulges, or out-of-balance conditions aren’t covered by the carmaker, but by the tire company instead. Theoretically, new factory dealerships should be able to handle a tire-maker defect claim for their customer, but you’ll get much faster service by checking the tire’s brand and then taking it to one of their authorized retailers for inspection. If you drive on roads known for chewing tires, you might consider purchasing a tire-hazard warranty when you get your new vehicle. Of all the finance office protection products, tire plans are often the cheapest.

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Adjustments

Most carmakers only cover adjustments such as resetting doors to eliminate wind-noises, or rebalancing or realigning wheels, for 12 months or 20,000 km. While adjustments are not usually the most expensive repair you’ll run into, they can have pricey consequences, such as ruining a pair of front tires (and increased fuel consumption) because the alignment was off. Check your warranty documents and make sure you get any needed adjustments done before their coverage runs out.

Filters and consumables

This group probably makes the most sense to the majority of vehicle owners, but my years on the service counter have taught me never to assume. Air, oil, and cabin filters can be expensive on some vehicles, but as a rule, they’re not covered under warranty. Some makers even include drive-belts in this category. So read your warranty documents thoroughly before you call your dealership.