DIY? Or bring it to the dealer? - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

ArKiTeCkT · 08-19-2012, 08:37 PM

This is my first brand new car and I was told that I shouldn't be changing my oil myself or an auto repair shop because it could VOID the warranty. Instead I should bring it to the dealer so they have a record.

Scenario 1
I change my engine,transmission, differential oil and later down the road(2 years) I have an issue with the differential(knock on wood). I bring it to the dealer would they reject my claim because it has never been serviced at a dealer?

Those Meddling Kids · 08-19-2012, 08:39 PM

Keep receipts and detailed records. There are several good smartphone apps for this.

goincarcrazy · 08-19-2012, 08:42 PM

You don't have to have the dealer touch it ever again after you drive it off the lot. It's on you if you wanna keep the car running well and such by doing the maintenance yourself. The only thing that would void the warranty is if there are parts that aren't stock, and even many of those are acceptable.

ArKiTeCkT · 08-19-2012, 08:44 PM

^Plan to keep it stock until the warranty expires. But maintenance is what I would like to perform myself.

Fazzster · 08-19-2012, 08:46 PM

The Subie engine has a top mount oil filter like my VW's 2.0T so there is no reason to get under your car or bring it to a dealer for oil changes. Just buy a good oil extractor and make your life a lot easier. Keep the receipts for your filter/oil and you are all set. DIY maintenance should not void your warranty.

QFry · 08-19-2012, 08:47 PM

they would have to prove that you performing your own maintenance is the reason it failed, or that your lack of doing adequate maintenance caused it. So if your diff failed because you put motor oil in it instead of gear oil...voided...if you under/over filled with correct fluids or didnt properly install drain plug...could be voided. I have always done and will always do my own PMS on my vehicles, so take this as my opinion.

roddy · 08-19-2012, 10:16 PM

I agree with the above comments. Keep all your receipts and record date/milaege in your owner's manual. For a "good faith" vote, get your oil filters/drain plug washers at your dealership.

Lonewolf · 08-19-2012, 10:30 PM

As others have said, as long as you have receipts of parts, fluids and you keep a detailed service log with service description, date, and mileage, you'll be fine.

MY13FRS · 08-19-2012, 10:48 PM

I agreed with keeping all the receipts for parts, etc.

However, if you are paranoid as myself, just book a time later in the day, say 1 hr before closing and just drop off the car and wait there for the service to get done. Wait at the stealership and try to sneak a peak at your car once in a while to make sure someone didnt go for a joy ride.

This is a 1st year car so I expect more visits to the stealership for TSBs and recalls, so I am not taking a chance with them disputing on warranty work due to missing maintenance records, etc.

08-19-2012, 08:37 PM	#1
ArKiTeCkT Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Drives: 2010 Gen Coupe, 2013 BRZ 6MT S.Tech Location: Toronto Posts: 229 Thanks: 22 Thanked 31 Times in 22 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	DIY? Or bring it to the dealer? This is my first brand new car and I was told that I shouldn't be changing my oil myself or an auto repair shop because it could VOID the warranty. Instead I should bring it to the dealer so they have a record. Scenario 1 I change my engine,transmission, differential oil and later down the road(2 years) I have an issue with the differential(knock on wood). I bring it to the dealer would they reject my claim because it has never been serviced at a dealer?

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08-19-2012, 08:39 PM	#2
Those Meddling Kids Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: 2013 SWP BRZ limited Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 110 Thanks: 15 Thanked 41 Times in 29 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Keep receipts and detailed records. There are several good smartphone apps for this.

08-19-2012, 08:42 PM	#3
goincarcrazy Future FR-S Owner Join Date: Apr 2012 Drives: '05 Scion tC Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 41 Thanks: 9 Thanked 10 Times in 8 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	You don't have to have the dealer touch it ever again after you drive it off the lot. It's on you if you wanna keep the car running well and such by doing the maintenance yourself. The only thing that would void the warranty is if there are parts that aren't stock, and even many of those are acceptable.

08-19-2012, 08:44 PM	#4
ArKiTeCkT Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Drives: 2010 Gen Coupe, 2013 BRZ 6MT S.Tech Location: Toronto Posts: 229 Thanks: 22 Thanked 31 Times in 22 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	^Plan to keep it stock until the warranty expires. But maintenance is what I would like to perform myself.

08-19-2012, 08:46 PM	#5
Fazzster Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: 2022 Hyundai Kona N, 2022 Miata Location: MA Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 5 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	The Subie engine has a top mount oil filter like my VW's 2.0T so there is no reason to get under your car or bring it to a dealer for oil changes. Just buy a good oil extractor and make your life a lot easier. Keep the receipts for your filter/oil and you are all set. DIY maintenance should not void your warranty.

08-19-2012, 10:16 PM	#7
roddy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Drives: '13 Ultramarine Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 2,243 Thanks: 1,476 Thanked 1,165 Times in 685 Posts Mentioned: 15 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I agree with the above comments. Keep all your receipts and record date/milaege in your owner's manual. For a "good faith" vote, get your oil filters/drain plug washers at your dealership.

08-19-2012, 10:30 PM	#8
Lonewolf Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Drives: Moped Location: CA Posts: 4,300 Thanks: 4,905 Thanked 2,132 Times in 1,195 Posts Mentioned: 21 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	As others have said, as long as you have receipts of parts, fluids and you keep a detailed service log with service description, date, and mileage, you'll be fine.

08-19-2012, 10:48 PM	#9
MY13FRS ***** Super Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: 13 FRS Location: Pluto Posts: 177 Thanks: 12 Thanked 72 Times in 36 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I agreed with keeping all the receipts for parts, etc. However, if you are paranoid as myself, just book a time later in the day, say 1 hr before closing and just drop off the car and wait there for the service to get done. Wait at the stealership and try to sneak a peak at your car once in a while to make sure someone didnt go for a joy ride. This is a 1st year car so I expect more visits to the stealership for TSBs and recalls, so I am not taking a chance with them disputing on warranty work due to missing maintenance records, etc.

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