Dealer's Comment on CAI

TN_Midnight Sky · 02-26-2008, 01:45 PM

The dealer told me that if I put in any CAI other than a GM version, that it would mess up my warranty.

What's going on here? He made a comment about the location of some sensors and how it will trip the ck. engine light...etc....

**JohnD** · 02-26-2008, 02:04 PM

Bullhockey.

That is a dealer's way of saying, "Buy the part from me so I can make a profit on it." I bet the dealer will also say, "If you buy the GM part and install it yourself, that can void the warranty too."

This is, in reality, against the law. See the Magnuson-Moss act. (A great link on aftermarket parts, warranties and the act can be found here: Borla Performance Industries - FAQs)

They can also argue "If you use a non-OEM air filter that can alter the airflow to your engine and void your warranty." How about arguing, "If you replace floormats with non-GM equivalents, you are altering the factory weight of the car and that can void your warranty." Or, "If you replace your wiper blades you disrupt the airflow altering your horsepower requirements." Maybe, "Did you get your oil changed at Kwik-E-Lube? They use a non-OEM oil filter. That voids your warranty." Honda tried that, and that was found to be in violation of anti-trust laws.

They can say whatever they want, that doesn't mean it's legal to deny your warranty.

IF you have a warranty issue, they can squawk about aftermarket parts, but in order to deny your warranty they have to PROVE that the aftermarket part caused the failure. They tried to do that to me because I had an aftermarket CAI, intercooler pipes and exhaust. I pushed back and said, "Great. I know the law. Prove to me how my parts caused the engine failure." They couldn't, so I got a completely new engine under warranty.

marklynn70 · 02-26-2008, 02:41 PM

Like JohnD said your dealer is just trying to scam you out of and inflated parts charge and the labor that comes with it.

sidejam · 02-26-2008, 03:14 PM

Can the dealer refuse to work on the car though? I've never had that happen to me first hand. But, I've heard of some dealers just refusing to work on a car.

clif · 02-26-2008, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidejam

Can the dealer refuse to work on the car though? I've never had that happen to me first hand. But, I've heard of some dealers just refusing to work on a car.

If a dealer tried to do that, would you TRUST them to do what is RIGHT for you the customer in ANY way????? I would NOT! I would find myself a different dealer to do what I needed a dealer to do. As well as LOUDLY informing any and everyone I knew about that particular dealer's ways of working the customer over.

Clif

dipolley · 02-26-2008, 05:27 PM

As far as I understand this, if you change a part or alter the vehicle with non OEM parts and you have a problem, if that problem can be traced back to the non OEM part, then the repair is not covered under warranty. It does not void the entire vehicle. Just the effected parts.

It's like saying that a damaged piston cannot be fixed because you voided the warranty by putting a body kit on. The two simply are not related.

Oh and a CAI may produce a check engine light. That is not unheard of or unexpected. Disconnect the battery for 10 minutes. Run the car for a few hundred miles. The computer will learn and clear the light. (as I understand it).

If the dealer refuses, talk to the General Manager, Then talk to Saturn. Then just go to a different dealer. Screw em.

SKYMRK · 02-26-2008, 07:40 PM

Your dealer is a "ding bat"

02-26-2008, 01:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
TN_Midnight Sky Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Knoxville TN Posts: 18 My Photos: (0)	Dealer's Comment on CAI The dealer told me that if I put in any CAI other than a GM version, that it would mess up my warranty. What's going on here? He made a comment about the location of some sensors and how it will trip the ck. engine light...etc.... __________________ Midnight Blue (Redline Turbo) Tan Top Tan/Black Leather Senoff Windscreen Shorty Antenna (Stubby B) works great Spoiler Questionable Brakes on Start-up! (Survived one collision from behind)

02-26-2008, 02:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
JohnD First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: SoCal Posts: 3,477 My Photos: (73)	Bullhockey. That is a dealer's way of saying, "Buy the part from me so I can make a profit on it." I bet the dealer will also say, "If you buy the GM part and install it yourself, that can void the warranty too." This is, in reality, against the law. See the Magnuson-Moss act. (A great link on aftermarket parts, warranties and the act can be found here: Borla Performance Industries - FAQs) They can also argue "If you use a non-OEM air filter that can alter the airflow to your engine and void your warranty." How about arguing, "If you replace floormats with non-GM equivalents, you are altering the factory weight of the car and that can void your warranty." Or, "If you replace your wiper blades you disrupt the airflow altering your horsepower requirements." Maybe, "Did you get your oil changed at Kwik-E-Lube? They use a non-OEM oil filter. That voids your warranty." Honda tried that, and that was found to be in violation of anti-trust laws. They can say whatever they want, that doesn't mean it's legal to deny your warranty. IF you have a warranty issue, they can squawk about aftermarket parts, but in order to deny your warranty they have to PROVE that the aftermarket part caused the failure. They tried to do that to me because I had an aftermarket CAI, intercooler pipes and exhaust. I pushed back and said, "Great. I know the law. Prove to me how my parts caused the engine failure." They couldn't, so I got a completely new engine under warranty. __________________ First:"BABY"* Silver Pearl 9 May 06* Then:"SPIRIT"* Black Onyx Red Line 25 Oct 06* Check out My Photos!

02-26-2008, 02:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
marklynn70 First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Oldsmar, Florida Posts: 2,560 My Photos: (282)	Like JohnD said your dealer is just trying to scam you out of and inflated parts charge and the labor that comes with it. __________________ *Mark* Black Onyx B/R Interior 5-Speed XMMP36-Disk*Monsoon Stereo 18in Chrome Wheels _00565_ GM CAI Mud Flaps Stubby Antenna KS Little Chromies Chrome L/P Frame 1ST 1000 Badge Windscreen by http://www.windrestrictor.com

02-26-2008, 07:40 PM	#7 (permalink)
SKYMRK Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: N/W Florida Posts: 173 My Photos: (0)	Your dealer is a "ding bat" __________________ Bluestone/Tan 5 SPD LSD Magnaflow dual with quad tips Windscreen GT antenna JPM embroidered console Polished Deposit - 5/27/06 In the hangar - 11/4/06

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02-26-2008, 03:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
sidejam Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Calgary Posts: 237 My Photos: (0)	Can the dealer refuse to work on the car though? I've never had that happen to me first hand. But, I've heard of some dealers just refusing to work on a car.

02-26-2008, 05:27 PM	#6 (permalink)
dipolley Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Castle Rock, CO Posts: 107 My Photos: (0)	As far as I understand this, if you change a part or alter the vehicle with non OEM parts and you have a problem, if that problem can be traced back to the non OEM part, then the repair is not covered under warranty. It does not void the entire vehicle. Just the effected parts. It's like saying that a damaged piston cannot be fixed because you voided the warranty by putting a body kit on. The two simply are not related. Oh and a CAI may produce a check engine light. That is not unheard of or unexpected. Disconnect the battery for 10 minutes. Run the car for a few hundred miles. The computer will learn and clear the light. (as I understand it). If the dealer refuses, talk to the General Manager, Then talk to Saturn. Then just go to a different dealer. Screw em.

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