[NY STate of mind]

So like most everyone here I hate going to the dealer for anything. Besides keeping a record of oil changes, what else would you think is the minimum that needs to be done so the dealer can't claim the car wasn't maintained in case I have to take it in for a warranty issue?
Not that I'm not going to take care of my new ST1 but you know when you go to the dealer they have all those BS 15,000 mile, 30,000 mile, etc. "service visits" in which they charge you a bunch for very little, including a lot of very questionable "inspections." I want to do the regular maintenance that really needs to be done and as little as possible of that dealer nonsense and I'm looking for opinions so they can't deny a claim because I did not do their "recommended" work. I hope I'm wording the question properly, also, the owner's manual is a bit vague on the subject. Thanks for any replies.
P.S., car is and will be staying just about completely stock until the warranty runs out, then maybe I'll do some light to medium mods. :focus-st-smilie:

 

[galaxy7]

Warranty is a tough subject to beat on because your (or anyone's) personal tolerance level varies. First, read up on a little thing called the Magnuson-Moss Act. It is an act to protect the consumer; that's you. Big picture, you don't have to go to your dealer nor any specified service center for jack crap and they cannot use it against you! They also cannot dictate, nor hold against you what brand of parts you use as long as they meet Ford specs (which BTW is extremely easy to do. Most aftermarket components will exceed manufactures specs) You don't have to have regular maintenance or service done, nor repairs by a dealer. The act also does not in any way prevent you from modifying your car nor making you lose your warranty if you do.

Here's where the tolerance comes in. The Act specifies that if the dealer want's to deny you a warranty claim on something, the burden of proof falls completely on them to prove your actions, or lack of actions, caused the condition for which you're being denied. For a modification, the burden of proof falls on them to prove the components caused a failure or related failure. A couple of (extreme examples)...

-3,000 miles and your engine blows and Ford says it's your fault you didn't get the oil changed there so no warranty. Their idiots. But beyond that, THEY have to prove the lack of them changing the oil cause the blow and prove how them changing it would have prevented it.

-You put an aftermarket exhaust on your car and the power steering pump goes out. Dealer tries to deny the claim cause you modified the car. Again...idiots. How did the exhaust cause the power steering to fail?? Again, prove it.

-You use an Amsoil or Mobil 1 filter. The filter clogs, the bypass doesn't work, and the engine locks up. They claim you didn't use a Ford/Motorcraft part so therefore not covered. Fail. Again, prove it. prove that a malfunctioning oil system didn't clog and block the filter off. I guarantee Amsoil filters exceed Ford specs. Something else internally clogged that filter.

Obviously receipts, or at least records, help with these cases, but still on them to prove it. Tolerance wise, some people are naturally better debaters than others and handle situations better.As for me and my tolerance...The ONLY time a dealer or anyone will work on my car is if/when I don't have the tools to do something; front end alignment, etc. I even turned down the free first oil change...f&*% that. I have the capability that has no limits. My only limit would be major specialty tools like an alignment rack. Yes, I'd love to have one of those in my garage!

An example on how to approach dealers. I had a car one time making a horrible brake noise on a brand new car with about 5,000 miles on it. Took it to the dealer to claim warranty. Service guy said not gonna be warranty because brakes are wear items. We went back and forth a couple times about how brakes could be worn in 5,000 miles but the conversation ended with me stating (with a witness) "OK then, write it up and fix it, but you better save every single part. I want to see them when you're done and what gets replaced". Needless to say, the next call I got was that my car was fixed and ready to roll...thanks for brining it in!

 

[nickbaldwin86]

/\ /Thread!

Lock this down!

so many of these threads.... beat the dead horse one more time!

 

[gixxersixxerman]

/\ /Thread!

Lock this down!

so many of these threads.... beat the dead horse one more time!

I think at least half of your posts are complaining about someone elses posts.. you know... you can just bypass threads without your negativity daily.. also just about everything has been answered, why not close every forum down and just archive it?

 

[nickbaldwin86]

I think at least half of your posts are complaining about someone elses posts.. you know... you can just bypass threads without your negativity daily.. also just about everything has been answered, why not close every forum down and just archive it?

:crying: