Question about Subaru Dealership and Car Tracking

[ThaDonJsuan]

Hi all,


I am going to get my oil change at my Subaru dealership, where I bought the car. It was new and fully paid for, and is under the 3 year warranty.



My question is - should i keep it a secret that I am taking the car to the track? Will the dealership try to void my warranty or do anything undesirable after learning of this information?

[alphasaur]

Originally Posted by ThaDonJsuan

Hi all,


I am going to get my oil change at my Subaru dealership, where I bought the car. It was new and fully paid for, and is under the 3 year warranty.



My question is - should i keep it a secret that I am taking the car to the track? Will the dealership try to void my warranty or do anything undesirable after learning of this information?

Do not tell them that you track the car.

If you are tracking you should consider an oil cooler and using a weight heavier than 0w-20.

[ThaDonJsuan]

Originally Posted by alphasaur

Do not tell them that you track the car.

If you are tracking you should consider an oil cooler and using a weight heavier than 0w-20.

Can I ask why? What could happen if they found out?

[alphasaur]

Originally Posted by ThaDonJsuan

Can I ask why? What could happen if they found out?

https://www.autoblog.com/2017/02/27/...id-race-track/

"The world's largest automaker agrees with this policy. We confirmed that Toyota's warranty does not cover cars on a race track. And that policy includes performance models like the 2017 Toyota 86 and all Lexus models, including the F Performance line. That's right, the warranty does not make exception for the IS F, RC F, or GS F.

Twin sister to the Toyota 86 is of course the Subaru BRZ. And Subaru's warranty has quite a bit more wiggle room on this subject than Toyota's, but it isn't exactly track-use-friendly. It states, "These warranties do not cover damage to any component that is the result of operating the vehicle in any competition or racing event."

It may void the warranty depending on the interpretation of the warranty. Why do you want to tell them?

[ThaDonJsuan]

Originally Posted by alphasaur

https://www.autoblog.com/2017/02/27/...id-race-track/

It may void the warranty depending on the interpretation of the warranty. Why do you want to tell them?

Its not that I want to tell them - its just that I want to get another oil change and I had already done one a month ago. Also, it is clear my tires are shredded and that I have been tracking.

[alphasaur]

Originally Posted by ThaDonJsuan

Its not that I want to tell them - its just that I want to get another oil change and I had already done one a month ago. Also, it is clear my tires are shredded and that I have been tracking.

Personally, I wouldn't change oil at the dealer because

a. they will likely use a 20 weight oil which is not wise for tracking

b. they will become privy to your car use.

I have read accounts of peoples synchros going and warranty being denied due to track/autocross use.

[Sasquachulator]

I dont think the dealer itself cares if you track the car or not.

Its when you have any kind of warranty work that needs to be done will it become a problem.

Whether track use becomes an issue for warranty claims would really depend on the dealer and the individual service agent you're dealing with.

[Baldeagle]

https://www.subaru.com/owners/vehicl...ties-2018.html

“What is Not Covered

Damage or Malfunction Due to Abuse, Neglect, Accident or Fire

These warranties do not cover any part which malfunctions, fails or is damaged due to objects striking the vehicle, road hazards, whether on or off the road, accident, fire, neglect, abuse or any other cause beyond the control of SOA.

Damage Caused Due to Use of Vehicle in Competitive Events

These warranties do not cover damage to any component that is the result of operating the vehicle in any competition or racing event.”

What defines abuse? And how do they prove something broke as the result of operating the vehicle in a race event? If the car must be towed off a race track, that’s an easy call. But if it breaks on the street, what proof is required to show problem is related to racing and therefore not covered?

[TommyW]

A car property driven on a track will be less stressed than one driven by a teenager beating the shit out of it on the street however I doubt that would be an arguing point with the dealer

[Opie]

It's sold as a road-going car and warrantied as such. Track at your own risk, and keep it to yourself.

[Mr.ac]

Either do your own oil change or use any local mechanic or quick lube place. Problem solved

[ToySub1946]

I'm driving a 2015 FRS, purchased new by me six years ago.

It has currently 68,000 miles on the odometer...(quite beyond any warranty).

It's never been to a Dealership for warranty work because nothing has gone wrong during either warranty period.

It is Made In Japan after all....Not Germany, Not USA, Not Mexico.

Keep buying vehicles which have a J as the first digit of their Vin and you'll be gold.

[SUSPECT_BRZ]

Originally Posted by ThaDonJsuan

Its not that I want to tell them - its just that I want to get another oil change and I had already done one a month ago. Also, it is clear my tires are shredded and that I have been tracking.

Do the damn oil change yourself? You're kidding, right?

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by alphasaur

Do not tell them that you track the car.

If you are tracking you should consider an oil cooler and using a weight heavier than 0w-20.

don't tell them you track to protect your warranty but install a cooler and change the weight of the oil which will most certainly get any engine failure warranty work denied?

Originally Posted by Sasquachulator

I dont think the dealer itself cares if you track the car or not.

Its when you have any kind of warranty work that needs to be done will it become a problem.

Whether track use becomes an issue for warranty claims would really depend on the dealer and the individual service agent you're dealing with.

This ^
Some dealers would use it against you, some dealers just won't care and some actively encourage tracking. When I bought my FRS my dealer actually gave me a couple of free passes to a track and asked that I let them know how I made out. When I asked what that would do to the warranty they grinned and said " Toyota can't say anything if they don't know".
People need to remember that the dealerships are NOT Toyota nor Subaru no matter what the sign out front says. They get paid to do warranty work and most just simply do not care how it got broke as long as Toyota comes up with the cash.