So lets me explain you which warranty will come free with your new car and which warranties you may have to buy. Few of them will vary based on the manufacturer. However, many of them are standard and should not change considerably.
All new cars come with warranties, from comprehensive bumper-to-bumper policies to those that cover specific components like seat belts or catalytic converters. In all, a car can leave the dealership with 10 or more warranties – which can be a mess for its new owner to understand.
Fortunately, most of these programs cover similar components. Here are 12 common warranties for a new car.
Bumper-to-bumper: Generally speaking, bumper-to-bumper warranties cover everything from major mechanical repairs to tiny details like rattles and squeaks. Most manufacturers also throw in free gasoline, roadside assistance, periodic maintenance, towing service, car rental reimbursement, some wear and tear, and electronic equipment coverage. Since they take care of almost anything that comes up, instead of a list of benefits you’ll receive a short list of exclusions.
Tthe most common exclusions are break pads, wiper blades, aftermarket accessories, exhaust system, hoses, belts, light bulbs, drums and rotors. Damage caused by an accident, negligence or deliberate abuse is also excluded.
Powertrain: A powertrain warranty covers all or part of the powertrain of a vehicle, which is made up of the engine, transmission and drivetrain. Essentially, the powertrain is the system that powers the car, and then transfers that power to the transmission, then finally to the wheels of the car. When a mechanical problem occurs with a covered part of a powertrain, the manufacturer or auto dealership will pay to have it repaired. The powertrain warranty is a powerful marketing tool used to entice buyers in the auto industry. Where a 10-year powertrain warranty was once considered a great warranty, companies like Chrysler are now offering lifetime powertrain warranties with most of their vehicles. It may make all the difference when considering which car to buy, and with the highly competitive nature of the industry, buyers are benefiting from the competition.
Don’t be misled – a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty doesn’t promise a decade of free repairs for your car. It typically covers just the engine and transmission, along with any other moving parts that lead to the wheels, like the driveshaft and CV joints. Some automakers also bundle seat belts and airbags into their powertrain warranties. With a few exceptions, powertrain warranties don’t cover regular maintenance like engine tune-ups and tire rotations.
Extended-length: An Extended Warranty is a contract between you and a service provider. Many people purchase auto warranties to shield themselves against the costs resulting from mechanical breakdown and/or failure to their vehicle. It is important to know that when you purchase a car warranty you are not purchasing a form of insurance, but you are entering into a service contract between a company and yourself. The extent of coverage, benefits, and terms of payment are particular to each individual contract. An auto extended warranty does not necessarily replace the original manufacturer’s warranty, but is intended to make available a level of coverage right for you. Although the main advantage of attaining a car warranty is to avoid the high cost of automobile repairs, many plans also come with additional benefits. It is important that you not only understand the coverage being offered, but that you are also aware and comfortable with the company providing the plan.
Many policies can be purchased months or even years after you buy your car. Most of these policies can be transferred to future owners, which can increase your car’s resale value.
Roadside assistance: Some automakers include roadside assistance with their bumper-to-bumper or powertrain warranties, while others have separate policies. These programs cover anything from flat-tire changes and locksmith services to jump starts and towing. Few reimburse incidental costs, like motel rooms (for when you have to wait for repairs) or telephone charges.
Tires: Like replacement tires, new-car tires are covered by their manufacturers. Depending on the type of tire, most warranties have a set number of years or mileage limits, whichever comes first. Generally, tires are eligible for warranty replacement if the treadwear indicators, which signal the final 1.6 millimeters of usable tread, become visible prematurely. That doesn’t always mean a free set of tires – most tiremakers charge a portion of the new-tire cost based on premature wear, meaning you only get reimbursed for the remainder of how long the tire should have lasted. Be sure to have your tires rotated regularly, as improper rotation, inflation or balancing can become grounds for warranty dismissal. Unless a special policy has been purchased, basic tire warranties don’t cover puncture or collision repairs.
Rust perforation: Rust or corrosion warranties guard against severe body rot that eats through the vehicle’s sheet metal. This is often referred to as rust-through protection because it doesn’t protect against surface rust, but does apply if the rust actually makes a hole in the vehicle’s body.
Regular car washes and waxes ensure that rust does not become a problem with your vehicle.
Seat belts and airbags: A lot of carmakers include seat belts and airbags with powertrain or bumper-to-bumper warranties. Others make separate provisions, and the warranties sometimes carry no expiration date. Seat belts are generally covered for operating usability only, so don’t expect a replacement for discoloration or other cosmetic defects.
Emissions: Since 1972, the government has required all cars to have emissions controls like oxygen sensors and catalytic converters. Two types of warranties exist: performance warranties and design and defect warranties. Performance warranties require automakers to repair or adjust emissions controls for at least two years or 24,000 miles if the car fails an emissions test. If emissions controls fail independent of a test, the design and defect warranty covers them for at least two years or 24,000 miles. Major components like catalytic converters and engine control modules are covered for performance and defects for eight years or 80,000 miles. On some items, California residents are eligible for additional coverage.
Hybrid components: Components in the hybrid drivetrain include the high-voltage battery pack – distinct from the car’s conventional 12-volt battery – along with the hybrid assist motor and all the electrical connections in between. Such components may be prohibitively expensive to repair or replace, so automakers offer generous warranties, in most cases eight years and from 80,000 to 100,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Batteries: If it’s not covered in the bumper-to-bumper policy, a car’s conventional 12-volt battery sometimes gets its own warranty. Battery warranties usually range from two to three years; they cover defective batteries on a pro rata basis, so you’ll be compensated only for the remaining battery life you lost. Battery warranties rarely accommodate maintenance or misuse.
