If you buy a vehicle with a warranty, it is important to look over the fine print to learn what is expected of you to maintain your warranty. Many dealers and manufacturers recommend that have your maintenance services performed at a dealership—all in the name of protecting your warranty. What they don’t tell you is that you can have your vehicle serviced at your trusted, local service center without altering or affecting your warranty.

A federal law, called the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, prohibits a manufacturer from voiding your warranty just because you purchased parts or services from a service center that is not associated with their dealership. In fact, a manufacturer can't require you to use their brand of oil filters, lubricant, or any other part to maintain your warranty protection. This protection is true for aftermarket extended warranties purchased on new or used vehicles. It also applies to leased vehicles.

If the manufacturer can produce proof that a replacement part or service lead to system failure, they can void part of your warranty. Not to worry, because Loren's Auto Repair uses quality parts and fluids that meet or exceed manufacturers' specifications.

Auto Repair centers subscribe to data services that tell us exactly which parts and fluids meet manufacturers' specifications. These services are updated constantly so that your Kalispell automotive service center always knows what you need for vehicle’s maintenance. You can rest assured that your vehicle will receive high quality replacement parts that will keep your warranty in tact, and your car operated safely and securely.

Proper maintenance is essential to maintaining adequate safety, and it can also help to prevent costly repairs and save you money in the future. But remember, just because you don’t have to have your routine maintenance and repairs done at your dealership doesn’t mean you don’t have to have them done at all. Most warranties require that you are meeting specific recommended maintenance guidelines. If you skip important repairs or maintenance, you may lose warranty coverage. Refer to your owners' manual and vehicle warranty for more details. Be sure to keep receipts for any routine service or vehicle repairs for your own records.

The protection you receive under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act can save you hundreds of dollars each year. The average hourly labor rate for service is nearly twenty percent lower at independent service centers—like ours at Loren's Auto Repair. With a convenient location, fair prices, expert technicians, and personal customer service, why go anywhere else anyway?