Car Warranties

Unlike other consumer items, cars aren't covered with a money back guarantee which is why you need a good warranty to give you the protection you need. With new cars, there are two types of warranties. These are the power-train and bumper to bumper or comprehensive warranty. How do the two differ?

A power-train warranty covers the engine, transmission, drive axles and drive shaft. Despite its name, a bumper to bumper warranty doesn't actually cover everything in between the bumpers so read the fine print to know what is specifically covered.

Understanding your car warranty can be a little tricky, especially since not all car warranties are the same. There are big differences between warranties offered by different manufacturers. A bumper to bumper warranty normally protects your car for at least 12 months or 12,000 miles but many manufactures provide a three-year, 36,000-mile warranty. Under federal law, the emissions systems should be covered for five years. Consult your warranty booklet so you know what to expect in case of a problem.

Part of the new car warranty law states that manufacturers should certify that the new vehicle is working and has been tested for quality control. But the law doesn't cover all parts in testing nor does it state the amount of testing that should be made before the certificate is issued.

Lastly, its commonly believed that if you take your car to an independent service station, your warranty will be voided. In reality, you can take your vehicle to any service station, even those outside of your car dealership. This wont affect your warranty as stated by the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act that gives consumers the freedom to select an alternative service station. You also have the right to pick the shop you desire for maintenance services provided it is licensed and certified.

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