How does chip/tuner affect warranty?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 1,016
From: Central KY
Straight out of my owner's manual:
"What is not covered? Damage caused by: altering or modifying the vehicle including the body, chassis, or components....non-Ford parts installed after the vehicle leaves Ford's control. For example, .... performance-enhancing powertrain chips."
So all my dealer would have to say is "the chip caused the transmission to shift harder than it did from the factory and that's why there is a leak" or something like that, and POOF I have a $2,000 bill to take care of.
It is very unlikely that a chip would cause any problems. I totally believe Ken is honest with us. But this detail I came across in my owner's manual tonight has discouraged me.
I'm not sure whether to chance it, or wait until 36K on the odometer before I start modifying my truck. What do you guys think?
"What is not covered? Damage caused by: altering or modifying the vehicle including the body, chassis, or components....non-Ford parts installed after the vehicle leaves Ford's control. For example, .... performance-enhancing powertrain chips."
So all my dealer would have to say is "the chip caused the transmission to shift harder than it did from the factory and that's why there is a leak" or something like that, and POOF I have a $2,000 bill to take care of.
It is very unlikely that a chip would cause any problems. I totally believe Ken is honest with us. But this detail I came across in my owner's manual tonight has discouraged me.
I'm not sure whether to chance it, or wait until 36K on the odometer before I start modifying my truck. What do you guys think?
Last edited by WXboy; Nov 19, 2003 at 08:19 PM.
New User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Mass
I'm waiting for 36K miles to start modding my 02 Explorer. Kinda disappointed I wont be able to put a chip in it. Can't afford any mods now anyway and don't care to fill up with premium just yet. I have a manual transmision so I control the shift points 
When the tuner becomes available is it possible to make the changes for a supercharger, larger MAF, headers, exhaust etc. it seems from reading posts on here that the tuners are more limited in performance changes.
When the tuner becomes available is it possible to make the changes for a supercharger, larger MAF, headers, exhaust etc. it seems from reading posts on here that the tuners are more limited in performance changes.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 794
Likes: 3
wowzers
You know instead of all of that you should buy a 351 Cobra Jet and drop into that sucker
And a supercharger for a non supercharger engine requires an extreme amount of work, and shortens the life of your engine tremendiously
And if you get much more horsepower than you have stock, you'd wanna replace driveshaft, tranny, and rear end
(if you don't do it at first you'll eventually ruin them and have to do it any ways)
You know instead of all of that you should buy a 351 Cobra Jet and drop into that sucker
And a supercharger for a non supercharger engine requires an extreme amount of work, and shortens the life of your engine tremendiously
And if you get much more horsepower than you have stock, you'd wanna replace driveshaft, tranny, and rear end
(if you don't do it at first you'll eventually ruin them and have to do it any ways)
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 1
From: Everett, Wa
Don't let a dealer push you around on warranty work. Look at the following statement.
"What is not covered? Damage caused by: altering or modifying the vehicle including the body, chassis, or components....non-Ford parts installed after the vehicle leaves Ford's control. For example, .... performance-enhancing powertrain chips."
The key word here is Caused. Now look at The Magnuson-Moss Warranty - Federal Trade Commission Improvement Act of 1975.
"Under the Magnuson-Moss Act, any after market equipment which improves the safety or performance, does not void a vehicle warranty, unless the warranty clearly states in the owner's manual that these additional items void the warranty. The dealer must also prove that an added, after market or safety item caused the need for repairs before they can deny warranty coverage on that basis."
This means that the burden of proof is the dealers responsibilty and it must stand up to scrutiny in a court of law. If you take the dealers answer at face value and don't stand up for your rights the dealer is taking you to the bank everytime. Make them provide the proof.
"What is not covered? Damage caused by: altering or modifying the vehicle including the body, chassis, or components....non-Ford parts installed after the vehicle leaves Ford's control. For example, .... performance-enhancing powertrain chips."
The key word here is Caused. Now look at The Magnuson-Moss Warranty - Federal Trade Commission Improvement Act of 1975.
"Under the Magnuson-Moss Act, any after market equipment which improves the safety or performance, does not void a vehicle warranty, unless the warranty clearly states in the owner's manual that these additional items void the warranty. The dealer must also prove that an added, after market or safety item caused the need for repairs before they can deny warranty coverage on that basis."
This means that the burden of proof is the dealers responsibilty and it must stand up to scrutiny in a court of law. If you take the dealers answer at face value and don't stand up for your rights the dealer is taking you to the bank everytime. Make them provide the proof.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 1997
Posts: 23,165
Likes: 18
From: Enjoying the real world.
Ford picks the wording in their manuals to make it seem that just adding the part will cause an issue. You're right, they slip the word "caused" in because they know the law but they want to scare you off from the performance aftermarket. Sometimes they don't get it.... one thing I can say about Chevy is they are much more savvy about embracing the performance aftermarket.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 1997
Posts: 23,165
Likes: 18
From: Enjoying the real world.
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