I just wanted to put my 2 cents in about this and "warn" folks about aftermarket parts and your brand new car warranty.

I am assuming that many tC owners here are 1st time car buyers/owners. I am also assuming, by the number of threads here asking about parts availability, that many of these cars will be tuned to some extent.

Be mindful that the parts you add on yourself, headers, turbos, exhaust, suspension, short shifters, etc, may void the warranty as it pertains to those parts and anything related to those parts. If you add a turbo to your car you can say goodbye to any warranty that pertains to your engine and probably exhaust, O2 sensors...blah blah blah, etc. If you add a short shift kit and something goes wrong w/ your linkage, or maybe even transmission (even if it wasn’t caused by the shift kit), you may not be entitled to warranty work because the shifter could be looked at as “part” of the tranny.

I'm not trying to be a jerk or anything...but, to those of you who do tune your cars, beware...and please do not post how much you hate the dealer, or what pieces of crap they are, because they wouldn't fix your car under warranty due to aftermarket parts.

Happy motoring.

(Edit - added) ps: I'm not trying to start a fight or put anyone out of business here. I tuned my previous car, mkIII Jetta 2.0L, and had a blast doing so - it made the car so much more fun to drive (especially the Shine suspension). I'm just saying be careful. :D

Well put.

P.S. My non-existant dog could beat yours ANY day of the week, fool.

to bad you're wrong, the dealer has to prove that the part you added did the damage, he cant just think that it did it. thats why the scion warranty is so great. although there are some parts that will for xBs 18's are as big as you can get, and I think its 19" for the tC. just know that you can put a turbo in and take it out before you go to the dealer as well. :D

Those who would try to yell "Magnusson-Moss Act!" - good luck. In 99.9% cases the dealer would have no problem proving that the turbo did cause engine damage, or that 1/2 donkey installed springs did mess up the struts. If you do go aftermarket - make sure you can afford it all the way.

So yup. Newbs - listen to the man :)

to bad you're wrong, the dealer has to prove that the part you added did the damage, he cant just think that it did it. True. Although It's much easier for the dealer to "prove" it was the part, than it is for us to "prove" it wasn't.

just know that you can put a turbo in and take it out before you go to the dealer as well. :DI agree 100% - if you have the ability to do so - however, I don't think everyone here is capable of just dropping in and pulling out a turbo at the drop of a hat...I know I'm not.

I'm so sick of seeing self-proclaimed warranty experts spread this BS around. What's your expertise on the subject?

Installing a turbo and then removing it to get warranty service is fraud, by the way, and it's not as if some mechanics couldn't tell that there was a turbo on there anyway...

to bad you're wrong, the dealer has to prove that the part you added did the damage, he cant just think that it did it. thats why the scion warranty is so great. although there are some parts that will for xBs 18's are as big as you can get, and I think its 19" for the tC. just know that you can put a turbo in and take it out before you go to the dealer as well. :D

In reality though, Will. You have to prove that your parts didn't cause the problem. If the dealer says it did then they ain't fixin nothin! You can report them to scion and hope, and if that doesn't work you'll have to take them to court and have an "expert" testify that your modification could not have caused the problem. What's worse is most shady operations keep lawyers on reserve so you'd probably need to get counsel too, or you'll just look like a kid who broke his car. The law is there to protect us, but it only works with proper representation and time and money :(

Maybe you should look at the S.E.M.A organization. they will be more than helpful to vs you on your rights for warranties. For Example i don't care what your sales person told you. The dealer in fact CANNOT void your warranty. they have to submit the problem, there assumption as to what they think caused the problem, and then submit it to the Manufacture. In which case the Manufacture has the right to deny your Warranty. But people say because they lowered there car and the seatbelt mechanism doesnt work and the dealer voided there warranty are driving for attention to give the dealers a bad name. The dealers are there to help those who can't or won't help themselves. check it out for yourselves....

http://www.sema.org/main/semaorghome.aspx?ID=/content/SEMAorg/HomePage

I mean lets face it, without people buying a car to push the limits of performance and style alot of these dealers wouldn't sell cars. why did some of you by an Xb, cause it was different to start with and it attracted your attention. ive yet to see a totally plain jane xB. read thru the site before you give up all hope on Modding YOUR car.....................

wow, there were a lot of posts while I was typing my reply!

Ditto. SEMA is a little bit biased on the particular subject matter, by the way. I've explained this in other threads and on other sites, and no one ever listens, so I'm not going to bother doing it again...just be aware that despite what some tuners will swear to you (and themselves), engine and suspension modifications can very likely void your warranty for the engine or suspension.

Apart from the actual legal issues here -- and I have yet to see any lawyers chime in on the matter -- the reality is that you are not going to be able to show that your turbo kit wasn't "overloading" within the meaning of the warranty.

i think alot of the issue is the dealers want you to come back for parts, which is fine butunderstandably the afteremarket parts will usually prevail as better due to the fact that their not mass produced and quality standards are higher. What i don't understand is how people find that generally most of the aftermarket parts there adapting to are already parts that are wear items, EXE: shocks, struts, clutch, brakes, exhaust, not to mention a few others.

these items are made by the manufacture to get repeat businness from you after you by the vehicle. think about it. coming from a steel Co. family, did you know if your exhaust was 1 yes 1 more grade up from what it is it would outlast your car, it would never need to be replaced, EVER. its called built in maintanence folks. there gonna get your money no mater which company, no matter how.

If you want proof of that, look no further than the computer software industry. The expression, I believe, is "planned obsolesence." You are right on abot that, FMM.

Those who would try to yell "Magnusson-Moss Act!" - good luck. In 99.9% cases the dealer would have no problem proving that the turbo did cause engine damage, or that 1/2 donkey installed springs did mess up the struts. If you do go aftermarket - make sure you can afford it all the way.

So yup. Newbs - listen to the man :)

It's not hard to get the Magnusson Moss act to take effect. I've used it 5 times and its worked in my favor each time. The act is there for those dealerships that say an intake screws with your electrical or your lowering springs screwed up the timing on your engine. If you're dumb enough to hack up your suspension and then take it in for warrenty you deserve to get laughed at.

It's not hard to get the Magnusson Moss act to take effect. I've used it 5 times and its worked in my favor each time. The act is there for those dealerships that say an intake screws with your electrical or your lowering springs screwed up the timing on your engine. If you're dumb enough to hack up your suspension and then take it in for warrenty you deserve to get laughed at.

THANK YOU for being a voice of reason from the other side of this debate.

Those who would try to yell "Magnusson-Moss Act!" - good luck. In 99.9% cases the dealer would have no problem proving that the turbo did cause engine damage, or that 1/2 donkey installed springs did mess up the struts. If you do go aftermarket - make sure you can afford it all the way.

So yup. Newbs - listen to the man :)

It's not hard to get the Magnusson Moss act to take effect. I've used it 5 times and its worked in my favor each time. The act is there for those dealerships that say an intake screws with your electrical or your lowering springs screwed up the timing on your engine. If you're dumb enough to hack up your suspension and then take it in for warrenty you deserve to get laughed at.This is what it is all about. ProjectFusion hit it head on. Thanks.

Those who would try to yell "Magnusson-Moss Act!" - good luck. In 99.9% cases the dealer would have no problem proving that the turbo did cause engine damage, or that 1/2 donkey installed springs did mess up the struts. If you do go aftermarket - make sure you can afford it all the way.

So yup. Newbs - listen to the man :)

...The act is there for those dealerships that say an intake screws with your electrical or your lowering springs screwed up the timing on your engine.

True...and then it's OK to post what a piece of crap the service dept is. :)

just my .02 cents, the warranty that you get with the car when you buy it, along with the extended warrany from the dealer if you pay for that is such bull____, i should Know i sell car warranty's for a living.

____________

" LIFES A _____, GET OVER IT! ''

^ explain?

great... i got the 7 year extended warranty

ok, so can anyone reassure me that the dealer today had the right to charge me $80 for an alignment since i put the trd springs on my tc, i thought that they didnt void warranty and they told me at the dealer when i bought it the alignment had like a 12k mile warranty, the dealer did not install my springs and if they had, the service rep told me and one of the mechs backed her up by saying that they could not align the car under warranty even if they had put the springs on....thanks

ok, so can anyone reassure me that the dealer today had the right to charge me $80 for an alignment since i put the trd springs on my tc, i thought that they didnt void warranty and they told me at the dealer when i bought it the alignment had like a 12k mile warranty, the dealer did not install my springs and if they had, the service rep told me and one of the mechs backed her up by saying that they could not align the car under warranty even if they had put the springs on....thanks

well, if I get the jist of it right, you installed springs yourself and had to go to the dealer for an alignment and pay for it - and the dealer wouldn't do it for free

well, if somehow the stock springs/shocks caused your tires to be out of alignment, that would be warrantied. but as soon as you change something in your suspension, it changes the alignment. since you changed it, it needed to be re-aligned. and if they installed the springs they would charge you installation and alignment.

the suspension needed realignment after the springs were installed, and the springs themselves have a 1 year warranty if installed yourself (3 years through dealers) but one way or another, you needed a re-alignment BECAUSE you changed the springs, not because there was something wrong with the car.

P.S.: I bought the TRD Shocks, springs and rear sway bar, installed by Scionlife's BrianxB ( THANKS BRIANXB) and took it to the dealer for re-alignment and paid my $80, it needed to be done.

Warranties are funny birds no matter how you look at it. I bought the Toyota Extra Care because I have significant experience with TEC warranties and my dealer. The burden of proof is on the shop, not the owner. You do not have to prove the modification is faultless, they have to prove the modification caused the problem. Big difference.

However, just because they are dealers does not make them gods when it comes to fixing a problem with your car. For example, the alignment previously mentioned is essential after lowering the car, but taking the car to the dealer is no different than taking the car to some tire store. Most dealers sub-contract for alignments, and they are done by some kid with a computer aided device guaranteed to screw it all up.

I learned my lesson with previous Toyotas: if it is a part replacement, take it in for warranty. If it is a service (alignment, oil change, fluid change, etc.) you either need to find someone you trust or someone who is inexpensive but does decent work, even if the warranty is still in effect.

yeah but seen as the tc is a fairly new car i doubt the place wher i usually take my cars to get aling is going to have the stock specs

What is the deal with TRD parts? Is the warranty void if you do the work yourself or, say, buy the TRD suspension package, and take it to a non-dealer mechanic who is certified on suspensions, and have him install them and align the car at a cheaper price. Is the TRD/Scion warranty still in effect?

Honestly, the only major part I'm thinking of doing is the TRD suspension, and I want it done so that nothing can be questioned.

http://techinfo.toyota.com has every spec you need for a tC. There's no excuse for not having the specs. They might not have the parts, but they for sure have the specs.

I'm glad as long as I work at the dealer... I am the warranty.

here are some other thread pertaining to the warranty question

http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4746&highlight=voiding+warranty

http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2512&highlight=voiding+warranty

http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8789&highlight=void+warranty

http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6421&highlight=void+warranty

http://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3753&highlight=warranty