Will installing this modification affect my warranty? My dealer told me it would.

Vehicle Warranties

Can an automotive dealership void your warranty because of your performance upgrade?

Understanding the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act
Nearly everyone has heard about someone who has taken a vehicle that has been modified with aftermarket parts to a dealer for warranty service, only to have the dealer refuse to cover the defective items. The dealer usually states that because of the aftermarket parts the warranty is void, without even attempting to determine whether the aftermarket part caused the problem.
This is illegal.
Vehicle manufacturers are not allowed to void the vehicle warranty just because aftermarket parts are on the vehicle. They must be able to prove that the aftermarket parts are indeed at fault. To better understand this problem it is best to know the differences between the two types of new car warranties and the two types of emission warranties.
When a vehicle is purchased new and the owner is protected against the faults that may occur by an expressed warranty - an offer by the manufacturer to assume the responsibility for problems with predetermined parts during a stated period of time. Beyond the expressed warranty, the vehicle manufacturer is often held responsible for further implied warranties. These state that a manufactured product should meet certain standards. However, in both cases, the mere presence of aftermarket parts doesn't void the warranty.
There are also two emission warranties (defect and performance) required under the clean air act. The defect warranty requires the manufacturer to produce a vehicle which, at the time of sale, is free of defects that would cause it to not meet the required emission levels for it's useful life as defined in the law. The performance warranty implies a vehicle must maintain certain levels of emission performance over it's useful life. If the vehicle fails to meet the performance warranty requirements, the manufacturer  must make repairs at no cost to the owner, even if an aftermarket part is directly responsible for a warranty claim, the vehicle manufacturer cannot void the performance warranty. This protection is the result of a parts self - certification program developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA).
In cases where such a failed aftermarket part is responsible for a warranty claim, the vehicle manufacturer must arrange a settlement with the part manufacturer, but by law the new - vehicle warranty is not voided.
Overall, the laws governing warranties are very clear. The only time a new vehicle warranty can be voided is if an aftermarket part has been installed and it can be proven that it is responsible for an emission warranty claim. However, a vehicle manufacturer or dealership cannot void a warranty simply because an an aftermarket equipment has been installed on a vehicle.
If a dealership denies a warranty claim and you think the claim falls under the rules explained above concerning the clean air act (such as an emission part failure), obtain a written explanation of the dealers refusal. Then follow the steps outlined in the owners manual. However, if this fails, then phone your complaint in to the EPA at (202) 233-9040 or (202) 326-9100.
If a dealer denies a warranty claim involving an implied or expressed new car warranty and you would like help, you can contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint, you can call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357), or use the online complaint form. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies worldwide.

WHAT IS THE MAGNUSON-MOSS WARRANTY ACT?
On January 4, 1975, President Ford signed into law the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, Title 1, 101-112, 15 U.S.C. 2301 et seq. This act, effective July 4, 1975, is designed to "improve the adequacy of information available to consumers, prevent deception, and improve competition in the marketing of consumer products. . . ." The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act applies only to consumer products, which are defined as "any tangible personal property which is distributed in commerce and which is normally used for personal, family, or household purposes (including any such property intended to be attached to or installed in any real property without regard to whether it is so attached or installed)." Under Section 103 of the Act, if a warrantor sells a consumer product costing more than $15 under written warranty, the writing must state the warranty in readily understandable language as determined by standards set forth by the Federal Trade Commission. There is, however, no requirement that a warranty be given nor that any product be warranted for any length of time. Thus the Act only requires that when there is a written warranty, the warrantor clearly disclose the nature of his warranty obligation prior to the sale of the product. The consumer may then compare warranty protection, thus shopping for the "best buy." To further protect the consumer from deception, the Act requires that any written warranty must be labeled as either a "full" or a "limited" warranty. Only warranties that meet the standards of the Act may be labeled as "full." One of the most important provisions of the Act prohibits a warrantor from disclaiming or modifying any implied warranty whenever any written warranty is given or service contract entered into. Implied warranties may, however, be limited in duration if the limitation is reasonable, conscionable, and set forth in clear and unmistakable language prominently displayed on the face of the warranty. A consumer damaged by breach of warranty, or noncompliance with the act, may sue in either state or federal district court. Access to federal court, however, is severely limited by the Act's provision that no claim may be brought in federal court if: (a) The amount in controversy of any individual claim is less than $25,000; (b) the amount in controversy is less than the sum or value of $50,000 computed on the basis of all claims in the suit; or (c) a class action is brought, and the number of named plaintiffs is less than 100. In light of these requirements it is likely that most suits will be brought in state court. If the consumer prevails, he is awarded costs and attorneys' fees. Nothing in the Act invalidates any right or remedy available under state law, and most suits should proceed on claims based on both the Code and the Act.

DIFFERENTIAL CARE AND BREAK-IN INFORMATION

NEW GEAR BREAK-IN
All new gear sets require a break-in period to prevent damage from overheating. Any overloading or overheating will cause the gear oil to break down and the ring & pinion will fail. Please follow these guidelines to insure proper break-in.

1. After light use for the first 15 to 20 miles it is best to stop and let the differential cool before proceeding.
2. Avoid heavy acceleration during the break-in process.
3. SHOCKER MOTORSPORTS warranty requires at least 500 miles before towing.
4. SHOCKER MOTORSPORTS also requires towing for very short distances (less than 15 miles) and letting the differential cool before continuing during the first 45 towing miles.
5. SHOCKER MOTORSPORTS recommends changing the oil after the first 500 miles. This will remove any metal particles or phosphorus coating that has come from the new gear set.

This may seem unnecessary but it is very easy to damage the differential by loading it before the gear set is completely broken in. The greatest damage results when a new ring & pinion has been run for several miles during the first 500 miles and the oil is very hot.

Any heavy use or overloading during the first 500 miles will cause irreparable damage to the gear set that can be determined by inspection of the gear set and will not be warranted by SHOCKER MOTORSPORTS.

POSITRACTIONS

Positraction chatter is normal for limited slip and positraction differentials. Both rear tires must measure the same height from the ground to the top of the wheel in order for the differential to function properly without premature wear. Limited slip additive or friction modifier for limited slip differentials must be used with the oil to reduce positraction chatter in the event that the oil is changed.

LOCKERS

Mechanical locking differentials will bang and clunk during normal operation. Both rear tires must measure the same height from the ground to the top of the wheel in order for a locking differential to function properly.

GEAR NOISE

Richmond Gear and other aftermarket (non OEM) gears are designed primarily for strength and may be noisy. This noise is especially inherent in vans and quiet passenger cars.

Diesel Performance Upgrades 101

 Air Systems

A free-flow air filter or cool-air intake is often one of the first modifications for a diesel. The potential gains are relative to how good or bad the OE system works, but the benefits are gained via decreasing pumping losses due to restriction, giving the engine cooler air, and tuning the airflow through the entire intake system. Not only is cooler air denser with oxygen molecules, for every degree the intake air is lowered, the exhaust gas temp (EGT) will be lowered by the same amount. A free-flow filter may offer a modest gain on a stock engine, but becomes a vital necessity when other modifications are made that increase power levels. To make more power, you need more air and fuel in the right amounts — and a restrictive stock filter may be an impediment to the air part of that equation.

 Programmers

The biggest power gains from a modern, electronically controlled diesel will come from changes to the fuel-injection programming. The fuel delivery, timing, boost and trans shift points (automatic trans) are all controlled by the ECM (electronic control module), and these parameters can be optimized to increase power dramatically. In most cases, a chip or programmer will bring the biggest single bump in power for the money spent. Many offer selectable levels of power, some that combine a boost in economy and power and are suitable for towing, and others that max out the truck for competition or embarrassing muscle cars at stoplights. The average chip or programmer is ridiculously user friendly to install and operate, so have no fear. In the case of the programmers, the original program is downloaded and stored in the unit, that way you can reload the stock program for warranty work or if you sell the vehicle.

Rotating your Tires

Rotating your tires periodically is an essential part of tire maintenance. The main purpose of regularly rotating tires is to achieve more uniform wear for all tires on the vehicle. If no rotation period or pattern is to be found in your owner's documentation, rotate your tires at least every 6,000 miles and follow one of the patterns suggested below.

However, rotate your tires earlier if irregular or uneven wear develops, and check with a qualified tire dealer or alignment shop to determine the cause of the wear problem. Remember that a hard impact such as hitting a pothole can cause misalignment, which then causes uneven tire wear.

Don't include your temporary spare in any tire rotation; it's for emergency use only. But do take the opportunity at this time to check the air in the spare (remember this unit typically requires a much higher air pressure than the other tires and may fail to serve its purpose if it isn't up to pressure). If you do have a full size spare and wish to include it in the rotation, use one of the patterns shown and insert the spare in the right rear position. Place the tire that would have gone on the right rear in the trunk as the new spare.

Remember that certain tires cannot be rotated in the patterns described. These include tires with asymmetric or non-directional tread designs. Also, some vehicles are equipped with different size tires on the front and rear axles. Check the owner's manual for the proper rotation in these cases.

Finally, check the inflation pressures and have them adjusted for the tire's new positions. Under-inflated or over-inflated tires may result in poor handling, uneven tread wear or poor fuel consumption. Also check that the lug nuts have been properly installed and torqued.

We hope this information prevents you from running into trouble. We sincerely appreciate
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