Warranty Laws You Need to Know

Learn The Federal Law & Become an Informed Consumer

Could using AMSOIL motor oil void your new vehicle warranty?

Absolutely not. Vehicle manufacturers recommend using motor oils meeting certain grades and American Petroleum Institute service requirements. Whether the motor oil is petroleum based or synthetic will not affect warranty coverage. The manufacturer is required to cover all equipment failures it would normally cover as long as the oil meets the requirements and was not the cause of the failure. AMSOIL exceeds these requirements and has never been deemed the cause of an engines failure. Even so, AMSOIL has its own limited warranty, protecting you even further. In addition, the Federally mandated Magnuson-Moss act states that a manufacturer may not require the use of a specific brand of aftermarket product unless it is provided free of charge.

Customer who is interested in AMSOIL motor oil, but concerned that using a synthetic oil or extending his oil drain interval will void his warranty.

Customers has no need for concern. Congress in 1975 enacted the federal Magnuson-Moss Act to regulate written consumer product warranties. An examination of the law reveals warranties remain intact when AMSOIL Synthetic Lubricants are used.

The law was meant to give consumers detailed information about warranty coverage before they buy.

Congress charged the Federal Trade Commission with creation of the specifics of the law. The FTC set down three rules under the Act: the Disclosure Rule, the Pre-Sale Availability Rule and the Dispute Resolution Rule.

Those rules require warrantors to title their written warranty as either "full" or "limited," provide a single, clear and easy-to-read document that spells out certain information about coverage and ensure that warranties are available where the products are sold so that consumers can read them before buying.

In passing the Act, Congress meant to give consumers access to warranty information, let consumers comparison shop for warranties, encourage warranty competition and promote timely and complete performance of warranty obligations.

While the Magnuson-Moss Act does not require manufacturers to provide a written warranty, it provides specific rules when one is provided.

Among those provisions, FTC regulations state: "(c) No warrantor of a consumer product may condition his written or implied warranty of such product on the consumer's using, in connection with such product, any article or service (other than article or service provided without charge under the terms of the warranty) which is identified by brand, trade, or corporate name; except that the prohibition of this subsection may be waived by the Commission if - (1) the warrantor satisfies the Commission that the warranted product will function properly only if the article or service so identified is used in connection with the warranted product, and (2) the Commission finds that such a waiver is in the public interest." (42 U.S.C. 2302(C))

That means your warranty stands when you use AMSOIL Synthetic Lubricants.

Vehicle manufacturers recommend lubricants according to their viscosity grade and service classification. Any oil, whether it's conventional petroleum motor oil or synthetic, meeting the correct viscosity grade, 5W-30 for example, and the current API SL and ILSAC GF-3 North American service classifications may be used without affecting warranty coverage. AMSOIL motor oils are recommended for use in applications requiring these specifications.

Furthermore, the practice of extending oil drain intervals does not void warranties. Original equipment manufacturers pay or deny warranty claims based on the findings of failure analysis. To affect the vehicle warranty, the lubricant must be directly responsible for the failure. If the oil didn't cause the problem the warranty cannot be voided, regardless of brand or length of time in use.

Synthetic motor oil was introduced to the automotive public in 1972 by AMSOIL, INC., with the world's first API rated synthetic motor oil - specially formulated for long service and superior performance and protection to that of conventional oils.

Nearly 30 years ago, AMSOIL synthetics represented a vision of the future and technology ahead of their time. Since then, every major engine oil manufacturer has introduced synthetic oils of their own.

To be sure, many original equipment manufacturers would like you to believe you can only use their products. However, it's a violation of the consumer protections set forth in the Magnuson-Moss Act, unless they're willing to provide you those products free of charge.

AMSOIL offers a warranty that covers the cost of repair or replacement of a proven mechanically sound engine damaged as a result of using AMSOIL synthetic motor oil. However, it has never happened. Thirty years of experience proves AMSOIL can be installed in any vehicle with complete confidence.

AMSOIL further backs its products with action when a Dealer or customer reports being told their warranty is voided if they use synthetics.

If you have heard from any member of a business that the use of AMSOIL Motor Oil or the practice of extending drain intervals will void warranties, send AMSOIL all the details including the name of the business, business owner or manager and the individual making the claims, in a signed and dated letter. Send the letter to the Technical Services Department at corporate headquarters and an AMSOIL representative will send them a letter explaining the facts.
Access to the complete Magnuson-Moss Act is available on the Internet by key words "Magnuson-Moss Act" or "Federal Trade Commission."

If a car dealership, service center or other business states that using AMSOIL will void your new vehicle warranty, ask for that statement in writing and send it to AMSOIL Technical Services (AMSOIl Inc., AMSOIL Bldg, Superior, WI 54880). If the business won't provide the statement in writing send AMSOIL Technical Services a letter identifying who made the statement, the name and location of the business and what the specific statement was. AMSOIL will then send a letter to the business informing them that their position is inaccurate, and, in fact violates existing law. Your name will be held in confidence. A sample of this letter is included below.

Could your new vehicle warranty be voided if you don't change your oil according to the manufacturers recommended change intervals, such as when using AMSOIL?

Absolutely not. AMSOIL synthetic motor oils are guaranteed to run 25,000 miles to 35,000 miles (Series 2000 Severe Service 0W-30 oil) or one year in mechanically sound engines, providing, of course the oil is kept free of contaminants by changing the oil filter according to the manufacturer's recommendation or when using an AMSOIL Super Duty oil filter changing the filter at 6 months or 12,500 miles (for gasoline engines), whichever comes first. If using the AMSOIL Dual-Remote or Dual-Gard By-Pass Filtration unit then the oil and By-Pass filter is changed as indicated by oil analysis testing.

AMSOIL coinded the phrase "extended drain interval" and it has been validated by over 30 years of industry testing and tens of thousands of motorists and millions of over-the-road miles.

AMSOIL synthetic motor oils provide extended drain performance because they don't break down in heat like conventional motor oils do. AMSOIL motor oils don't form performance-robbing deposits, and don't volatize (burn off), which alters viscosity and increases oil consumption. Finally, AMSOIL's superior additive package, a key element in the oil's ability to function, holds up under engine stresses, remaining serviceable for the full 25,000 to 35,000 miles, or indefinitely when AMSOIL By-Pass Filtration and oil analysis is used.

Additionally, if there is ever a question of whether or not a particular oil was the cause of an engine failure make sure to get a sample of the used oil in a clean bottle, typically 6 oz. minimum. The oil can then be sent to two independent testing labs for analysis (* labs are located throughout the country). Remember, an informed consumer is your best defense against being taken advantage of by a vehicle dealership or service center.

If you need the address, location, phone number and contact information for an oil testing laboratory(s) please contact us.

Only if an oil is determined to be the direct cause of an engine problem can a manufacturer or dealership deny warranty coverage for that specific problem. In this situation the AMSOIL warranty would apply, and the AMSOIL Technical Services Department would assist you in processing your claim and getting your vehicle repaired. That's AMSOIL's pledge to you. AMSOIL Inc. sells millions of gallons of oil per year and warranty claims are a rare occurrence. If you ever have a warranty problem with an automobile manufacturer (or snowmobile, boat, RV, motorcycle, etc...) or dealership, AMSOIL will assist you by analyzing the problem and providing data supporting the fact that repairs should be made under the vehicle manufacturer's warranty. If this does not resolve the problem. AMSOIL will submit a claim with their insurance company and request that an adjuster have the vehicle repaired and pursue legal settlement later if necessary. The fact is there never has been an engine failure attributed to the non-performance of AMSOIL products, and we do not expect there ever will be. If it ever did, both AMSOIL and their insurance company would make certain your problem was resolved.

Special Letter From AMSOIL To Your Car, Truck, Motorcycle, Boat, Snowmobile, Small Engine, etc.. Dealership:

Dear, Mr. Service Manager (actual name you supply will be put here),

It has come to our attention that you (or employee's name) have been informing our mutual customers that the use of AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oils voids your manufacturers' warranty. This claim is not true. Please review the following facts about warranties and AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oils.

Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) recommend consumers use lubricants of the proper viscosity grade and service classification. Any oil, whether it's petroleum oil or synthetic, may be used without affecting overall warranty coverage. OEMs pay or deny warranty claims based on findings of failure analysis. To affect the vehicle warranty, the lubricant must be directly responsible for the failure. If the oil did not cause the problem the warranty cannot be voided, regardless of the brand of oil used, or the length of time or number of miles the oil was used. To flatly inform customers that the use of AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oil voids their warranty is not true, is not supported by any OEM and damages AMSOIL INC.

Synthetic motor oil was introduced to the automotive public in 1972 by AMSOIL INC., with its introduction of the world's first API (American Petroleum Institute) rated synthetic motor oil. Since then, every major engine oil manufacturer has followed AMSOIL's lead and has introduced synthetic oils of their own. AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oils exceed the most demanding worldwide performance standards. They are specially formulated for long service and provide superior performance and protection to that provided by conventional oils, and can be installed and used with complete confidence. AMSOIL INC. offers our customers warranty coverage and provides the proper insurance to cover an oil related failure, should one ever occur.

We appreciate your attention to this matter and anticipate there will be no further intimidation of our customers by your insuring no one implies or states that the use of AMSOIL products will "void" their warranty coverage. Thank You.

AMSOIL INC., Customer Service Division

cc: Legal Department