Warranty question

[CThomsen]

Just bought a new 2013 from Vernon auto group in texas. They put a lifetime no deductible warranty on all their vehicles with the stipulation that all maintaince is done at selling dealer or pre-approved service provider. The warranty is supposed to cover everything-injectors, turbo etc. With longer mileage service intervals, would it be worth it just to let dealer/other service provider do maintaince or would I save more doing my own maintaince as usual. I'll probably drive 30K miles a year and keep the truck for 10 years. Thanks

 

[Missouri Mule]

What are they charging for this warranty ? Sounds like a lot of money. Better to get warranty that is covered by all dealers.

 

[CThomsen]

No extra charge and the pricing at this dealer was great in my opinion. I went 1100 miles to get the truck. The warranty is in addition to factory and covers the entire powertrain for life with no deductible. Warranty work can be performed anywhere as long as it is preapproved.

 

[AH64ID]

Since you drove 1100 miles for the truck, and I doubt you drive 2200 miles for each oil change, is there a local authorized service provider you like/trust?



To me it seems that the basis behind this warranty is that they are making money on your service charges, so unless they can make a profit from your oil changes/etc I don't see them honoring it.



A lot can go wrong in 300K miles, or nothing might go wrong. I would see what the oil change costs at a pre-approved provider vs what it would cost you. Then figure on 20-30 oil changes in 300K miles and what the warranty would cost you at a minimum, not to include transmission/axle/coolant/etc servicing.

 

[CThomsen]

They told me all dealerships would be approved to provide service as well as most independent shops. I like the idea of all powertrain parts being covered for life, just don't like the idea of someone else working on my truck-especially for routine maintaince.

 

[RustyJC]

I've been very satisfied with the service at Tomball Dodge where I bought my truck. As a preferred customer, I get oil and filter changes for ~$50. For that, it's not worth the time and effort to do it myself at my age. If they're charging substantially more than that, then you know how the warranty is being paid for.



Rusty

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Ram picks up the first 100,000 miles or 5 years, so you have to consider cost of a dealer maintaining it vs. you, likelihood of a problem, and ability to get the truck back to Vernon TX when/if something goes out after that. They also figure a lot of owners will sell or wreck the truck before 100,000 miles or 5 years, or need work when not near them.

 

[Wingate]

After witnessing several dealership oil change "techs" in the East Texas area, I wouldnt let them pull the drain plug on my lawnmower.
Like Joe said, Ram has you covered, don't feel obligated to use the selling dealer or any dealer. Any competent independent shop can handle the maintenance duties. Usually, those shops tend to care a little more than a dealership.
there are exceptions to every rule, but most dealerships do not use technicians for oil changes, its usually someone that got fired from a local quickie lube or walmart.

 

[sag2]

I would read the fine print very close to find out the ways they will try and deny a repair if you ever need one. A factory lifetime warranty (if they even have one) would cost a couple of thousand dollars with the dealer having absolutely no exposure, so the dealer has to make up for his exposure in this case in some other way, be it maintenance sales or denying the repair.

 

[mfurrh55]

This dealer last year gave up a new vehicle with no squabbles to a guy in Utah that had some problems with his, He buys all his vehicles from this dealer, He's a hot shot driver, puts alot of miles on them quick, Says he won't buy from anyone else, guess they earned a great reputation on how they treat the customer (RIGHT)