Warranties and the Magnuson-Moss Act
You have a customer who is interested in AMSOIL motor oil,
but he's concerned that using a synthetic oil or extending his
oil drain interval will void his warranty.
Your customer 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.
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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. (15
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 its
conventional petroleum motor oil or synthetic, meeting the
correct viscosity grade, 5W-30 for example, and the current API
and ILSAC North American service classifications may be used
without affecting warranty coverage. AMSOIL motor oils are
recommended for use in applications requiring these
specifications. For more information on API licensing, go to Ask
AMSOIL in the Dealer Zone.

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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.
Also see what the
FTC says! |