Warranties and the Magnuson-Moss Act
AMSOIL Written Warranty
Perhaps you are
interested in taking advantage of the benefits offered by AMSOIL motor oil, but
you are concerned that using a synthetic oil or extending your oil drain
interval will void your vehicle's warranty.
You have 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 consumers 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. Click here for more information
on API licensing.
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.
Over 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 are 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.
| 
