How to know what to look for in a car warranty

One of the reasons people buy a new car is the warranty. Warranties ensure that repairs needed during the initial period of ownership are performed at no cost to the vehicle owner. Despite slight differences between manufacturers, most vehicle warranties typically include:

• Manufacturer's defects
• Emission coverage
• Mechanical problems
• Help on the road
• Defects in sound or other functions

Warranties can give the owner peace of mind knowing that the manufacturer will back up their vehicle against defects for a specified period of time. However, some guarantees may be vague and difficult to interpret. Among legal terminology and information that most don't read, your warranty has valuable information that can save you from frustration when it comes time to get your car repaired.

Here's how to understand the important information in your car's warranty.

Part 1 of 4: Determining Coverage Duration

The warranty for your vehicle is detailed in the owner's manual or in the warranty booklet that was given to you when you purchased your new vehicle. If you purchased a used car, you may not have received the documentation for the new car from the previous owner.

Step 1: Find a Full Coverage Guarantee. This coverage is often referred to as a bumper-to-bumper warranty because it covers nearly all defects that occur between bumpers.

For example, when the fuel system, brakes, seat belts, power steering, or climate control fail during the warranty period, the bumper warranty will generally cover you.

For almost all manufacturers, the term of the general comprehensive warranty is usually 3 years from the date of purchase of the car as new. This is also known as the commissioning date.

Some manufacturers, such as Kia and Mitsubishi, have a 5-year comprehensive warranty on most of their models.

Step 2: Determine the warranty period for your power package. The term "transmission" refers to the main components of the system that help propel the car forward.

The transmission warranty covers items such as:

• differentials
• drive wheel bearings
• cardan shafts and axle shafts
• engine
• transfer case
• Transmission

The transmission warranty may be the same as comprehensive coverage for some manufacturers, while others extend the transmission warranty for a longer period.

For example, General Motors models have a 5-year powertrain warranty, while Mitsubishi offers a 10-year powertrain warranty on most of their vehicles.

Step 3: Determine the length of your other warranty. Coverage conditions for roadside assistance, audio systems, software updates and accessories vary by manufacturer.

Some of the components listed above are covered for a shorter period of time than the transmission and comprehensive warranties.

You can find this information in your vehicle's warranty manual along with your new vehicle materials or on the manufacturer's website.

Image: Ford Warranty Guide

Step 4: Check your emission warranty coverage. In the United States, manufacturers are required to provide a warranty on certain emission systems for 8 years or 96 months.

For example, if a problem with your Electronic Emission Control Unit (ECU) is discovered during an emissions check, you can have your manufacturer do that repair.

The components covered by the emissions warranty are quite limited, but typically include the catalytic converter, powertrain control module (PCM), and emission control unit (ECU).

Part 2 of 4: Determine the Distance Covered by the Warranty

The warranty period for your car is limited not only by time, but also by the distance traveled. When you see the warranty period listed, it is listed as coverage time frame followed by distance. Your warranty is only valid as long as you are within the time frame AND less than the mileage.

Step 1: Determine the Comprehensive Warranty Limitation. The most comprehensive warranties are covered for 36,000 miles from the date the vehicle was purchased new or from the date the vehicle was put into service.

Some manufacturers, such as Kia and Mitsubishi, offer coverage of their vehicles for longer distances, such as 60,000 miles from new.

• AttentionA: Some warranties are time-only and do not include miles driven. They will be labeled "Unlimited" under the miles travelled.

Step 2: Know Your Transmission's Warranty Distance. Transmission warranties vary in coverage by manufacturer.

Some only cover their vehicles for 36,000 miles, while others like General Motors extend coverage to 100,000 miles from new.

Step 3: Check your emission warranty coverage. Emissions warranty on all vehicles is at least 80,000 miles. However, depending on your vehicle, more may be available to you.

Step 4: Find out about other insurance coverage. Other coatings, including corrosion protection, audio systems, or roadside assistance coating, should be checked in the owner's manual as they vary greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer.

Part 3 of 4: Find out what the warranty covers

A common misconception is that the new car warranty covers all repairs as long as you are limited in time and mileage. This is not true and can lead to disappointing visits to the dealer.

Step 1: The new car warranty covers factory defects. Problems that occur in your vehicle through no fault of your own, but due to a faulty part, are considered a manufacturer's defect.

Step 2: Powertrain Repair. The transmission warranty only covers the mechanical components necessary to keep your vehicle running.

This includes the engine, transmission, driveshafts, axle shafts and transfer case. In some cases wheel hubs or bearings on drive wheels are covered, although not on all models.

Step 3: Emission Repair Coating. Emissions coverage provides 8 years or 80,000 miles in the event of a catalytic converter or transmission control module failure resulting in an emissions test failure.

Step 4: Determine if your roadside assistance is covered.. Roadside assistance includes tow truck services, locksmith services, and refueling services in the event of a breakdown.

• AttentionA: Additional charges may apply if you require emergency refueling at a roadside service.

Step 5: Check if your audio system is secure.. Audio system coverage includes the radio head unit, amplifiers and speakers, including subwoofers if your vehicle is so equipped.

Most audio head units are covered by the manufacturer who supplies the unit to the automaker, not by the automaker itself.

Part 4 of 4: Be aware of warranty exclusions

There are some items that are not covered by your warranty. Some of them are common sense while others can be a bit of a surprise.

Step 1: Warranty does not cover physical damage. If you've been in an accident, have a stone chip, or have a scratch on your car, the new car is not covered by the warranty.

• Functions: In these situations, consider filing an insurance claim with your insurance company if the damage is significant enough for you.

Step 2: Warranty does not cover wear parts. Some manufacturers cover wear parts for a year or 12,000 miles, but that's more out of courtesy than necessity.

Wear components include the drive belt, brake pads, brake discs, clutch material (in manual transmissions) and fluids.

Step 3: New car warranty does not cover maintenance. Although some manufacturers such as BMW and Volvo include free maintenance packages for new car buyers, this is not considered part of your vehicle's warranty.

Fluid maintenance, filter replacement and other wear parts are your responsibility as a vehicle owner.

Here is a list of regular maintenance work that should be done on your vehicle:

• Replacement of oil and fuel filters. Oil and fuel filters should be changed every 3,000-5000 miles or every 3-5 months.

• Tire swap. Tire rotation should be done every 5,000-8000 miles to prevent premature tire wear.

• Inspect or replace spark plugs. Spark plugs should be checked every 30,000 miles.

• Replace air filters. Air filters should be replaced every 30,000-45,000 miles.

• Replace the wipers - wipers last an average of 2-3 years.

• Inspect or replace the timing belt and other belts. Timing belts should be replaced every 60,000-100,000 miles.

• Inspect or replace brake pads - Brake pad replacement depends a lot on how you drive your car. It is recommended to check the brakes every 30,000 miles for wear.

• Inspect or flush the transmission fluid. Transmission fluid should be serviced every 30,000 to 60,000 miles for manual transmission vehicles and checked every 30,000 miles for automatic transmission vehicles.

• Inspect or add coolant. The coolant level should be checked every 30,000-60,000 miles to prevent overheating.

• Replace battery. Batteries typically last 3 to 6 years.

• Inspect or flush the brake fluid. Brake fluid should be checked every 2-3 years.

Step 4. Most warranties do not cover tire wear.. If your tires wear prematurely, this may indicate a steering or suspension problem that needs to be repaired under warranty, but wear on the tires themselves is not covered.

Step 5. Adjustments are out of warranty after 1 year.. If adjustments are required, such as wheel alignment or door adjustments, in most cases they must be completed within a year or 12,000 miles.

This is because external forces usually require adjustments, not manufacturer defects.

Warranty coverage is an important part of buying a car that you should try to understand. Knowing the terms of your warranty can help you when you have a problem with your car or when it's time to make repairs. Consider an extended warranty either through the manufacturer or an aftermarket warranty provider to give you peace of mind for a longer time and distance than a new car warranty.

If you find yourself in a situation that is not covered by the warranty, consider having your vehicle checked or serviced at AvtoTachki. We offer over 700 repairs and services backed by a 12 month, 12,000 mile warranty.