Does A Car Warranty Cover Routine Maintenance?
Most car warranties do not cover routine car maintenance services, such as oil changes, tire rotations and replacements, inspections, and filter changes.
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Key Points:
- In most cases, a standard factory warranty or extended warranty plan won’t cover routine maintenance services–it’s up to you to pay for them as needed.
- Some vehicle manufacturers offer optional maintenance plans that can help you keep up with the recommended service intervals for your car.
- If you’re looking for both extended vehicle and maintenance coverage, Endurance offers a plan that bundles both together. Omega Auto Care also offers maintenance benefits with its offered plans.
No matter what type of auto warranty you own, some of your vehicle’s most important components will be protected. But does a car warranty cover routine maintenance as well?
In this article, we’ll explain what’s covered under car warranties, how to have your car serviced under warranty, and the best car warranty companies for routine maintenance. These recommendations are based on our extensive research on the best extended car warranty companies in the industry.
An extended car warranty refers to mechanical breakdown coverage offered by a vehicle manufacturer. However, this term is often mistakenly used to describe coverage from third-party companies. Independent providers offer similar protection through vehicle service contracts, but we’ve used the terms interchangeably in this article for convenience.
Is Routine Maintenance Covered Under Warranty?
In most cases, a new or used car warranty does not cover routine maintenance such as oil changes, tire rotations and replacements, filter changes, or inspections. Unless a contract specifically says otherwise, you are responsible for keeping up with scheduled maintenance on your own time and dime.
Note that you’ll need to have your car serviced regularly to keep the factory warranty from being voided. While routine maintenance isn’t usually covered under a car warranty, many manufacturers offer optional plans you can purchase to help you keep up with the recommended maintenance schedule for your vehicle.
What Does A Car Warranty Cover?
What a car warranty covers can vary greatly, but most warranty types cover car repairs for a certain period of time or number of miles. A manufacturer’s warranty on a new car will cover repair costs for a wide range of parts from defects caused by mechanical failures or problems due to poor workmanship.
For an aftermarket auto warranty, otherwise known as an extended warranty, coverage can be fairly similar to that of a limited new vehicle warranty. Bumper-to-bumper coverage takes care of nearly every major component of your vehicle, while powertrain coverage plans protect the bare minimum.
Common Car Warranty Terms
In the chart below, we list the factory warranty terms for popular car manufacturers and mention whether they offer maintenance coverage under optional, separate plans.
| Automaker | Bumper-to-Bumper
Warranty | Powertrain
Warranty | Maintenance
Plans |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai | 5 years/60,000 miles | 10 years/100,000 miles | ✔ |
| Kia | 5 years/60,000 miles | 10 years/100,000 miles | ✔ |
| Ford | 3 years/36,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles | ✔ |
| Subaru | 3 years/36,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles | ✔ |
| Toyota | 3 years/36,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles | ✔ |
What Is Not Covered Under A Car Warranty?
Most car warranties cover certain components but exclude others. Your powertrain, corrosion, emissions, and new car warranties don’t cover every car part. Generally, most vehicle service contracts won’t cover the following items:
- Routine maintenance: Oil changes, tire rotations and replacements, or filter changes
- Brakes: Inspections or brake pad replacements
- Normal wear and tear: Issues such as exterior and interior scratches, breaks, or burns
- Damage: Collisions, natural disasters, or environmental factors
- Tampering: Issues caused by vandalism, misuse, or modifications
Five Ways to Save On Vehicle Costs
According to AAA, the average annual ownership and operation costs of a medium sedan driven 15,000 miles a year is $11,048. Larger vehicles, such as a medium-sized SUV, can cost over eight percent more when driven the same amount. This average includes taxes, fees, maintenance, insurance, licensing, and fuel costs–not to mention any car payments you may owe.
These costs aren’t small for many drivers. Fortunately, there are many ways to cut down on vehicle costs so you can put that extra money toward other financial goals. Below, we’ll outline some ways you can cut down on your vehicle expenses and start saving where you’d like.
1. Keep Up With Maintenance
If your car is under warranty and you’re performing routine maintenance yourself rather than taking it to a dealership or repair shop, make sure you’re using the proper oil and fluids so you don’t damage the engine or other major powertrain parts.
After all, taking good care of your vehicle will help it last longer and reduce the chances of an unexpected and potentially costly breakdown. Carefully read your car’s owner’s manual and keep up with regular maintenance according to the recommended service schedule.
Most manufacturer maintenance schedules advise drivers to go in for tune-ups every so often, but these depend on the service. For example, you’ll need oil changes more often than other maintenance. While paying for these services may seem costly in the short term, it will save you money in the long run by increasing your vehicle’s lifespan.
To cover routine maintenance for a car that’s under warranty, take the following steps to ensure your vehicle stays in good shape for years to come.
Oil Changes
According to AAA, you should plan to change your oil between every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. However, for some cars and drivers, this may be too frequent. This is especially true if you use synthetic oils, which tend to last longer. Check the recommended oil change frequency and oil type according to your manufacturer.
While getting your oil changed too often won’t hurt your vehicle, you can get into trouble if you don’t have it changed often enough. Checking your engine oil monthly or having it changed as directed is essential for keeping your engine intact. Failing to change your oil when necessary will degrade your engine and can lead to maintenance issues such as engine blow-outs, which can have a big impact on your personal finances.
Tire Rotations And Tire Pressure
Tires wear down differently depending on where they are positioned on your vehicle. Based on your car and driving habits, certain tires will wear faster than others. To increase the longevity of your tires, J.D Power recommends rotating them every 5,000 to 7,500 miles–which may roughly align with your oil changes. This will ensure even wear distribution, meaning you will not need to replace your tires as frequently.
Don’t forget to keep an eye on your tire pressure. Keeping your tires properly inflated reduces tread wear and increases fuel efficiency, lowering your gas costs.
Maintenance At Home
You can perform certain regular maintenance items at home with minimal tools and equipment. The following can be done yourself, if you take the time to learn how:
- Check fluids: Check your brakes, transmission, power steering, and coolant fluids for any leaks often. These fluids also must be kept at certain levels to keep your vehicle running smoothly.
- Replace the engine and air filters: Your car’s air filter needs to be changed at least once a year. If not, it can affect your engine’s performance.
- Replace windshield wiper blades, fuses, and lightbulbs: Switching out damaged or worn-out windshield wiper blades is necessary to prevent potential damage to the glass or a decrease in visibility during a storm. You should also keep a particular eye on your fuses and lightbulbs to see if they also need to be replaced.
- Check belts, hoses, lights, and brakes: Having these items inspected regularly can ensure your car’s systems are in good condition and working properly.
- Battery cleaning: You should clean your battery periodically to ensure that no corrosion builds up or interferes with your battery’s ability to function. If your car is having trouble starting or you notice problems with the electrical parts of your car, you may need to clean the corrosion off the battery.
It is possible to change your own oil at home as well. However, changing your car’s oil is not quite as simple as the other items mentioned above. It is certainly one way to reduce costs, but many may opt to have a mechanic change their oil instead.
2. Keep Your Car For Longer
The minute you drive a new car off the lot, it depreciates in value. Your vehicle continues to depreciate as you drive it, but not nearly as significantly after the first year. Depreciation in your car’s value is not a regular expense you will pay, but it will impact your budget when it comes time to trade in your vehicle.
The more often you trade in your old vehicles, the greater depreciation costs you will face. In other words, you will get a better value if you trade your car in between your ninth and tenth year of ownership than you would between your first and second year of ownership. If you keep your car in good condition and it is operable, it can be a good financial decision to wait until your depreciation is less significant before upgrading to the newest model.
Following this tip, of course, means keeping your vehicle in good shape so that mechanical issues do not become a liability. Keeping an older vehicle does run a greater risk of needing expensive vehicle repairs.
Should I Get An Extended Warranty On My Car?
You can guard against a potentially costly breakdown with an extended warranty. These plans cover parts associated with your car’s drivetrain, electrical system, heating and air conditioning, high-tech components, and more, depending on your chosen plan.
It’s wise to carefully consider the pros and cons of an extended car warranty to decide if it’s worth it for you, as they may not be right for all drivers. If you do purchase an extended warranty, make sure to pick a warranty company with a good reputation and inexpensive monthly payment plans.
Before signing an extended warranty contract, check your provider’s ratings on sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot. You can also read customer complaints and see how the company responds to them.
Reputable companies, such as Endurance, Carchex, and CarShield, take care to address all posted complaints, typically to the customer’s satisfaction. Don’t forget to read the fine print in your contract–you don’t want to be caught off guard by any exclusions your plan might list.
3. Improve Your Driving Habits
Rapid acceleration and hard braking are bad for fuel efficiency. You can save on gas costs by making sure to accelerate gently and cruise to a stop whenever possible.
Safe driving, such as not looking at your cell phone while on the road and not driving while intoxicated, also reduce the chances that you will be issued a costly ticket or get into an accident. Accidents and tickets can increase your car insurance premium, raising your annual car ownership costs even more.
4. Lower Your Car Insurance Costs
The average cost of car insurance can be quite high. However, there are some ways you can potentially lower your premiums and start saving money.
Take A Defensive Driving Class
Most insurers offer reduced rates to drivers who complete a defensive driving course. Contact your insurer to see if this is the case, and consider signing up for an approved class. These classes may have a small registration fee but quickly pay for themselves in rate reductions.
Shop Around For Coverage
Consider comparing quotes from a few of the best auto insurance companies. You may find better rates with a new insurer. Many car insurance companies even offer discounts to new customers that switch over from competitors.
Consider Usage-Based Insurance
Several insurers offer usage-based insurance policy discounts. These programs monitor your driving habits and offer reduced rates for safe driving and people who drive less frequently. One insurer, Metromile, is entirely usage-based and may be a good choice if you do not drive frequently.
5. Refinance Your Auto Loan
If you financed your vehicle and have to make regular auto loan payments, you may be able to refinance your auto loan to get better interest rates. By refinancing, you take out a lower-interest loan to pay off your current one. Then, you start making payments on the lower-interest loan instead.
If you think that you were given a bad deal or if your credit score recently increased, looking into car loan refinancing may be a good idea.
Does A Car Warranty Cover Maintenance: Our Take
Even though most car warranties don’t cover routine maintenance, there are a few third-party warranty companies that offer maintenance plans for things such as oil changes, brake pad replacements, and tire coverage. Our research team has found that Endurance, Olive, and Omega Auto Care are a few of the best warranty companies for dealing with routine maintenance needs.
It’s a good idea to get quotes from providers to see which coverage plan will work best for you. Use the quote tool below if you’re ready to get started.
Best Warranty Companies For Routine Maintenance
We rated some of the industry’s best car warranty companies based on factors including coverage, warranty costs, transparency, industry standing, and customer service. To see how these companies compare, check out our reviews of each provider below.
| Warranty Company | Overall Rating | Reliability | Coverage Plans | Pricing | Transparency | Customer Experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endurance | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.9 | 4.6 | 4.9 | 3.9 |
| Omega Auto Care | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.9 | 3.9 | 4.7 | 3.6 |
| Olive | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 3.7 | 5 | 3.9 |
Endurance: Best Overall
Endurance is one of the largest third-party extended warranty companies in the market, and it offers extensive car warranty protection through six coverage levels in all states including California. Endurance warranty reviews reflect the provider’s positive service reputation, as does the company’s gold-level certification from the Vehicle Protection Association.
The EnduranceAdvantage™ plan includes coverage for mechanical breakdowns and maintenance with three different levels: Preferred, Plus, and Prime. You can save hundreds on oil changes, engine checks, and brake pad replacements, as well as get access to perks such as roadside assistance, towing, and rental car reimbursement.
Read more: Endurance warranty review
Omega Auto Care: Best Maintenance Benefits
Omega Auto Care offers five extended warranty levels to choose from, which is fairly standard for the industry. What makes this warranty provider stand out is the maintenance benefits it includes with each plan–a rarity with vehicle service contracts.
You’ll be provided with oil changes, brake pad and battery replacements, a free safety inspection, and more with a plan from Omega Auto Care. This is on top of standard benefits such as roadside assistance, rental car reimbursement, trip interruption benefits, and more.
Olive
Olive car warranties don’t cover routine maintenance, but the provider is still worth consideration for its affordable extended warranty plans, which make it easy to cover routine maintenance costs on your own.
Olive car warranty reviews reveal satisfaction with the company’s rates and online purchasing model, which helps keep prices among the industry’s lowest. With money left over due to Olive’s competitive pricing, vehicle owners could have more to put toward routine maintenance.
Routine Maintenance Covered Under Car Warranties: FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions about whether routine maintenance costs are covered with auto warranty coverage.
If my car is under warranty, do I have to pay for the service?
No, if the repair or replacement part is a covered repair under warranty, you don’t have to pay for services apart from your deductible. If you have a limited or exclusionary warranty, check what it covers before you take your vehicle to the repair shop.
Does a warranty cover preventive maintenance?
Extended warranties and mechanical breakdown car insurance typically don’t include preventive maintenance such as oil changes or replacements for wear-and-tear items such as tires and batteries.
Can you change your own oil under warranty?
You can service your own car and still keep your warranty. Be careful while doing so, since you could void the warranty if you cause damage by servicing your vehicle incorrectly.
Is it worth getting your car serviced at a dealership?
Having your vehicle serviced at a car dealership can be convenient and provide you with peace of mind that the job is being done right. However, you don’t have to get services done there. The technicians usually perform fast service, but it tends to cost more than at most licensed repair shops.
Are there warranty companies that cover regular maintenance costs?
There are a few third-party extended warranty companies that include maintenance coverage with certain plans. For example, the EnduranceAdvantage plan combines breakdown protection with your routine maintenance needs.
How We Rate Car Warranty Companies
Our review team extensively researches extended car warranty providers to deliver informed and unbiased assessments of leading companies. We evaluate several key rating factors that are important to consumers to determine which providers are the best in the industry:
- Reliability: Warranty providers that earn strong ratings from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), work with reliable partners and administrators, and have a long history in the warranty industry score well in this category.
- Coverage Plans: We take a close look at the coverage plans available through each provider, including how many are offered, maximum term limits, plan exclusions, and more. We also evaluate the added benefits companies include with their warranty plans, such as roadside assistance and trip interruption benefits.
- Pricing: Our team performs a secret shopper analysis for a variety of vehicles and coverage plans to get a sense of a provider’s average costs. We see how each company’s pricing, deductible options, and discount opportunities compare to competitors when determining this score.
- Transparency: We evaluate the availability and transparency of each company’s contracts, as well as whether each provider offers a money-back guarantee.
- Customer Experience: We consider customer reviews and complaints from sites like the BBB and Trustpilot. Our team also reaches out to customer service reps during our secret shopper analysis to get a sense of the customer experience with each company.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
