What do car warranties usually cover?

A car warranty covers defects, or damage that occurs during normal use, and can't be considered normal wear and tear. It pays to replace defective parts with new or reconditioned parts at the company's discretion behind the warranty. It also covers labor.

What does a full warranty cover?

Comprehensive warranties are sometimes referred to as a "bumper to bumper warranty" and typically cover almost all systems and parts of your vehicle, excluding wear and tear items like tires and brake pads. Along with the powertrain coverage, a comprehensive warranty also typically includes: Electronics.

How do I know whats covered under my warranty?

Contact Dealership

If you cannot find the VIN number, the only real way to check your vehicle's factory warranty is to call or visit your local dealership. They will need the VIN number to look up the information but can tell you for sure what is and is not covered if anything at all.

Is a car warranty worth it?

When it comes to the long-term cost of your car, extended warranties are generally “a bad deal,” says Gillis. In a Consumer Reports survey, 55% of people who purchased an extended warranty never touched it. Among those who did use the warranty, most saved less on repairs than they paid for the contract.

Will my warranty cover a blown engine?

Generally, no. A typical car insurance policy only covers repairs to your vehicle if they're related to some kind of accident. You likely won't be covered if your engine simply has a mechanical failure or other malfunction.

Understanding Vehicle Warranties ~ Podcast Episode 25

Do car warranties cover body damage?

Automotive warranties typically don't cover body panels, which means you won't be covered by your warranty if you get a door ding or if you scrape the side of your car in a parking lot. You also won't be covered if you get in an accident and need to replace any components that were damaged in the collision.

Are brakes covered under extended warranty?

As a rule, extended warranties do not cover scheduled maintenance items such as oil changes, timing belt replacements or tune-ups. Most extended warranties don't cover items that wear out, such as brake pads and windshield wipers.

Does warranty cover bumper damage?

As the name suggests, powertrain warranties cover only the vehicle's powertrain, which is usually a car's most significant and most expensive component. Meanwhile, the bumper-to-bumper warranty covers everything — the powertrain, the electronics, the suspension, vehicle systems, and more.

Does a car warranty cover wheels?

What the Warranty Excludes. You have to change a few parts on a timely basis. These include tires, wiper blades, brake shoes or brake pads, light and even aftermarket rims. A bumper-to-bumper warranty does not cover these parts.

Is a check engine light covered under warranty?

Under federal law, manufacturers must provide an eight year/80,000 mile warranty for defects in catalytic converters and other components of the emissions control system. If your amber check-engine light comes on, you probably have an emissions control problem covered by your warranty.

Is battery covered under warranty?

Batteries: Most automakers will cover regular 12-volt batteries under the bumper-to-bumper warranty in cases where the battery is defective. If the battery is drained and you have roadside-assistance coverage, most automakers will send someone out to give you a jump start.

Does my new car warranty cover tires?

Tires have a separate warranty

New-car tires are not covered by the vehicle's basic warranty. Instead, the warranty comes from the tiremaker, and it's outlined in a booklet you should find in your new car's glove box. The tire warranty protects against premature tire wear or manufacturing defects.

Are tires included in bumper-to-bumper warranty?

A bumper-to-bumper warranty does not cover tires. It does not cover brake pads. It does not cover brake rotors. It does not cover brakes in any fashion or form.

Are air filters covered under warranty?

Components of your car that have to be repaired or replaced because they are worn out from use are not covered under the warranty. This includes items like brake pads, brake rotors, batteries, windshield wiper blades, hoses, air filters, oil filters, lightbulbs, and fluids.

Does car warranty cover dents and scratches?

When it comes to dents, scratches, and door dings, most car insurance claims fall under collision or comprehensive coverage. These coverages can be optionally added to your policy and should be considered if you are concerned about damage to your vehicle.

Does car warranty cover seat belt?

As a result, you will find that so-called 'wear and tear' items and consumables, such as the tyres, brakes, belts, fluids and lubricants, wipers, bulbs and fuses won't be covered by the warranty. It won't cover damage to wheels from kerbing, either, or if the interior trim has squeaks or rattles.

Why are extended warranties bad?

While it may sound like a good idea in theory, extended warranties often come with a high price tag and don't necessarily cover everything that could go wrong. Plus, many people who buy extended warranties never use them. In that case, an extended warranty becomes a cost with no financial return.

Do warranties cover spark plugs?

Here are other components and instances the carmaker's powertrain warranty doesn't cover: Wear-and-tear parts like spark plugs, air filter, oil filter, fuel filter, clutch, brake pads, and CV joints. Issues or damage caused by aftermarket components.

What is not covered under bumper-to-bumper warranty?

A bumper-to-bumper warranty does not cover parts of the vehicle that wear and tear with time, such as brakes, brake pads, windshield wipers, and tires. It does not cover routine maintenance tasks like oil changes and tire rotations. Parts damaged by you, an accident, or improper maintenance are also not covered.

Do car warranties cover windshields?

While windshield replacements are often included in your auto insurance policy, most extended warranties and vehicle service contracts do not cover windshields as a listed component. However, some can incorporate windshields as a separate product from your main protection plan.

Does warranty cover alignment?

Finally, wheel alignment, tire balancing, and brake pad/lining replacement might be covered under factory warranty for the first 12 months or 12,000 -18,000 miles depending on the dealer. Car warranties are a great benefit to cover unexpected maintenance problems, however, it is important to know what is covered.

Is car AC compressor covered under warranty?

If your air conditioner is less than 10 years old, there's a good chance the compressor is still covered by the manufacturer's warranty. Assuming the AC's other components are all in good working order and you plan to keep the system for another few years, you may as well take advantage of the warranty.

How do you use a car warranty?

A vehicle warranty is like an insurance plan: If something goes wrong, you take the vehicle to the mechanic's shop for repair. If the problem is included under the warranty, then the repairs are paid for—even if your car needs thousands of dollars' worth of repair work.

Is alternator covered under extended warranty?

What parts are covered under an extended warranty? What's covered under an extended car warranty depends on your specific warranty. In general, they can include the powertrain (engine, transmission, etc.), air conditioning, alternator, gaskets and seals, electrical components, safety restraints, and more.

Does extended warranty cover transmission?

But in general, extended warranties cover the critical mechanical parts of your vehicle, including the engine, transmission, axles, and gaskets.