Comparison Of New Car Warranties

What Is Excluded From That 100, 000 Mile New Car Powertrain Warranty?

All new car warranties come in two parts. The first is shorter and runs during the cars first 12, 000 or one year to 36, 000 miles or three years. This warranty covers just about the full cost of all repairs from bumper to bumper, excluding oil changes, brake pads, and spark plugs. It also excludes tires and the battery because these items have warranties from their respective manufacturers.

The second portion of the new car warranty last up to 100, 000 miles or 10 years whichever comes first. This warranty covers only the powertrain on the vehicle. It does not always cover all of the costs involved with these repairs.

The longer warranty is designed to give the new car owner a feeling of confidence that this vehicle will be durable.

The car makers know that almost every manufacturing defect will get fixed during the first year of the vehicle's operation. The next portion of the new car warranty is offered to cover those things that wear out prematurely or had such minor flaws that they could not be detected until they had worn some. This generally works better for the new car salespeople than it does for the new car owner. It sounds good when you say it. If you look closely at the warranty, it excludes more than it covers most of the time.

What is the powertrain that is covered for 100, 000 miles?

Simply put, the powertrain is the motor and transmission of a car. However, car companies do always define it so easily. The motor or engine is usually defined as all of the motor that cannot be removed without taking of the oil covers or the heads. This is frequently referred to as the "long block." Other companies define the motor as everything left after you take off anything attached to the motor and remove the heads and valve train. This is often called the "short block." The transmission is expected to include only the internal parts of the transmission itself. With standard transmissions, the clutch and pressure plate assembly are usually left out of the warranty coverage.

Anything that conveys the drive force from the transmission to the tires is normally not covered.

All of the joints, front end assembly, bearings, and a host of other parts are not included in the warranty. All filters, spark plugs, and pumps are also excluded. Transmission seals and various gaskets on the motor are left off the warranty.

Read the fine print carefully.

Every car company has its own version of how this warranty works. Some are generous, but most are not. You can buy better coverage, but the free warranty that is touted in the commercials has many potential drawbacks. Most new car extended warranties do not cover all parts and all labor.

Some will pay for the parts but not for the labor.

Others will pay to have your powertrain dismantled to find the defective part but will not pay for the installation or the reassembly. There are others that will split the bill with you on a 50/50 type of proposition or some other formula. Nearly all of the warranties will be voided if you have made modifications to the engine or transmission. It can be difficult to get the company to pay if you cannot provide accurate detailed records that the car has been serviced and maintained according to the manufacturer's recommendations.