How to Understand a Car Warranty

Not all car warranties are created equal. Different manufacturers offer different coverage. Bumper-to-bumper protection lasts a minimum of 12 months or 12,000 miles, but most manufacturers offer three-year/36,000-mile warranties. By federal law, emissions systems must be covered for five years or 50,000 miles.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Car Insurance
• Warranties

1. Find your warranty booklet. It may look something like your owner's manual, only thinner.

2. Figure that almost everything is covered for the duration of your basic warranty. Exceptions generally include your wipers, fluids, belts, tires, battery, accessories, windows, emissions system and oil filter.

3. Read your owner's manual for warranty information on the tires and battery. Some car manufacturers carry a separate warranty on accessories.

4. Think of a drivetrain (or power train) warranty as one that covers the things that make the car go: the engine, driveline and transmission fall into this category.

5. Look at the emissions control warranty and emissions performance warranty for coverage of any emissions control systems in your car. This coverage is federally regulated. California and Massachusetts have slightly different coverage.

6. Don't rely too much on a corrosion or rust perforation warranty. Claims are usually turned down unless the rust has actually eaten a hole through the body - and most people usually arrest the rust long before this occurs.

Tips & Warnings

• Follow the recommended schedule of maintenance for your car to ensure that the warranty will be honored. Keep records of all services performed on your car.
• Keep your car clean and wax it regularly, and corrosion shouldn't be a problem.
• Read your warranty. There may be extra charges or deductibles for certain work.