Warranty Issue After Tune/Mods

5484 Views 15 Replies 6 Participants Last post by A03, Nov 9, 2008

A03

Discussion Starter · Nov 7, 2008

Ok, I have to ask this b4 anything is done to the F..As I'm sure lot of people are anxious on this question as well..At least I'm b/c I NEVER tuned any of the cars I driven over the years and this will be Officially 1st one to do so..
Perhaps Andy you can actually address this better than anyone or anybody else that works at Lexus..

Whether it's Greddy Supercharged or Artisan Twin Turbo Charged how are any of these gonna affect our Warranty with the Lexus?

Is the warranty gonna get zapped b/c obviously the 2 companies I mentioned above is third party meaning nowhere affiliated with Toyota/Lexus what's so ever..

However I do know that If or whenever TRD ever comes out with the Supercharger and if the installation is done by Lexus Dealer it doesn't zap the warranty..

Please enlighten me on this matter..After watching the Youtube video of Artisan Twin turbo charger I'm getting really anxious here..

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jctheplaya888

· #2 · Nov 7, 2008

A03 said:
Please enlighten me on this matter..After watching the Youtube video of Artisan Twin turbo charger I'm getting really anxious here..

VERY ANXIOUS AS WELL!!!! but not sure about the warranty

SMOKE

· #3 · Nov 7, 2008 (Edited)

To help answer your question: YES the warranty WILL be voided, unless it's done and authorized by Lexus/Toyota, example:

Supercharger/Turbo or a computer chip that's noticed from an ECU that's been open not recognozed or authorized by Toyota will void the warranty.

Exhaust/ K&N Air filter etc WONT void the warranty, anything that will change the way the car's ECU (computer) reads things and changes the way that it performs they, (Toyota warranty) , can void it.These two small mods and similar ones to it wont affect it because they see it as a "non-deterant" factor for what the problem may be,(engine blow-up, tranny, etc,etc)

With that all being said Toyota knows people are going to modify there cars that's why they're trying to open the market for the "F" so that we can do so without warranty issue's, thank you Sema

spekterg35

· #4 · Nov 7, 2008 (Edited)

Hey guys. New to the forum, but thought i would weigh in on this topic.
Their are many warranty laws in effect to protect consumers from the big bad manufacturers. Heres a couple links to a SEMA article and to the Magnuson-moss warranty act.

http://www.sema.org/main/semaorghome.aspx?ID=50096
http://www.sema.org/Main/SemaOrgHome.aspx?ID=50100\

Simply put, a warranty can't be voided by a manufacturer unless the aftermarket part installed, or a fouled installation, caused the problem which the consumer is trying to have repaired under warranty. Case by Case basis. I have had to fight this battle before, and knowing the laws for yourself will help you should you find yourself in this position. SEMA has gone through a lot of trouble to make sure we can mod to our hearts content without fear.
BUT, be reasonable in choosing your mods. Major power adders like Turbo/Superchargers are a riding a fine line, but may be safe if installed and used properly. Also, things that are known to be defective to the manufacturer, cant be blamed on the aftermarket part. If you break a rod and have a supercharger, the dealership cant say the supercharger caused the rod breakage if there is already a technical service bulletin (TSB) out on those particular rods.

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A03

Discussion Starter · #5 · Nov 7, 2008

I swear it's Devil's Advocate! I paid little over $70K with Markup(YES! Mark up Fee) and got even the EXTENDED WARRANTY which might be sh** now if I get a Turbo or S/C kit on the car..If I get any of these, the money I spent on Ext warranty is flushed down the toilet..

Fu**in A!! What to do!!

crazee

· #6 · Nov 8, 2008 (Edited)

I was wondering myself how about changing the HID to a aftermarket would that affect the warranty? Another would be how about if I did a custom wide body kit on the vehicle will that affect any warranty. Also how about a aftermarket audio system, what will that do to the warranty? There's this case where my friend replaced the intake and exhaust with an aftermarket product, and he also had a sound system. But when he went to Lexus for a regular oil change, the technician said that he would not work on the car for those reason. His car was a 2001 IS300. Does every state have different warranty policies?

spekterg35

· #7 · Nov 8, 2008

The warranty laws i quoted above are federal.
The dealerships aren't going to let you know your consumer rights (at least not in my experience). You have to let them know that you are aware of the laws and that you are willing to fight for your rights. If it were a civic, i wouldn't care, but with a lexus i would definitely be willing to take it to court. Then again, outright refusal to work on your car might be a different story. The dealerships probably reserve the right to refuse service for their own reasons. Most consumers, just turn tail when they meet resistance at the dealership or give in when they are told they have to pay.
It would be nice if one of the dealers on the forum would chime in with their opinion.

A03

Discussion Starter · #8 · Nov 8, 2008

I think best bet is Andy from McGrath Lexus of Chicago to reply on this..He's the Top guy/Salesman..

That's right Andy I'm appraising you sir!!

A03

Discussion Starter · #9 · Nov 8, 2008

crazee said:
There's this case where my friend replaced the intake and exhaust with an aftermarket product, and he also had a sound system. But when he went to Lexus for a regular oil change, the technician said that he would not work on the car for those reason. His car was a 2001 IS300. Does every state have different warranty policies?

What? Weird! Even if your buddy offered to pay cash despite the warranty issue they wouldn't work on the car? I.E measly oil change?

SuperFreak

· #10 · Nov 8, 2008

To weigh in on this subject, modifications can void the warranty. As was stated earlier, when you add Turbo or a Supercharger you have to mess with the electronics, and that can void your warranty. You also run into the down line items (ie: transmission) that may be adversly affected by the mods. Now unrelated items that fail (ie:steering), should have warranty as they were not tampered with or affected by the engine modifications. I am sure that Lexus will look at it in a case-by-case basis, but for a dealership to deny service because of mods is ridiculous.

crazee

· #11 · Nov 8, 2008 (Edited)

Here's a pic of my friend's car with my phone.

Well the dealership where he went to get his supposedly oil change was... wait it STILL is the worst Lexus dealership I ever known. This dealership tried to make me put down a deposit before I can test drive an F. Sound ridiculous and the salesman calls in his manager and says the same thing. I call other dealerships about it and they said there was no such policy or need to deposit for a test drive. If anyone is in the tri-state area do not go to Tri-County Lexus.

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A03

Discussion Starter · #12 · Nov 9, 2008

I guess each his own..Huh?! Kinda odd b/c by now IS-F is more than well in stock so you shouldn't have to put a deposit down..Weird!!
I mean back in march when I got the car it was kinda supply in demand at least in Baltimore/Towson and several other states so it makes sense that deposit is required somewhat so only serious inquiries but now shouldn't be a problem..
Thanks for the tip, now I know NOT to refer anyone to that sh**y dealership..

crazee

· #13 · Nov 9, 2008

I think even with a supply in demand there shouldn't be any need for deposits to test drive a vehicle. Especially when you're trying to get a customer instead of trying to scare them away. Customer needs to get a feel for the vehicle, but without that feel it'll just make the decision much more harder.

A03

Discussion Starter · #14 · Nov 9, 2008

True! However Maybe Lexus felt IS-F is no ordinary standard car especially with $60K plus price tag vehicle so maybe they thought they make the decision on whatever they think it's right at the time..Bottom line: Discrimination likely!
It's like this! If a person were to drive a pinto and they went to Lambo dealer despite the fact that he/she could be a millionaire but the dealer/salesman will only see the pinto..Yes?
This happen to me several times believe it or not when I was slightly younger, now I'm 31 but that's the way society works! Fu**in Image is everything!
I'm guessing that's what happen to you..

crazee

· #15 · Nov 9, 2008

Actually that was the reason they said "It's an IS-F! You can test drive any car but the IS-F and the SC." Probably because of my age they felt that they needed me to put down a deposit. Now I understand why my father didn't buy his Lexus LS400 from them.

A03

Discussion Starter · #16 · Nov 9, 2008

I hate to admit it that I was right about this! It's good that your dad didn't buy the LS from them..
Yeah, Take your business where it's appreciate it!!
Too be blunt, I drove IS250 prior way before IS-F even existed so I kinda knew what I was getting into that and I paid cash! I don't know how much dealer profited from my sale, god knows!
The point of story is they treated me with utmost respect despite the fact that I wore beat up clothes..
So maybe in time not sure how old you are but you'll get the respect..Hang in there or as I said take your business somewhere else..

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