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If you or someone you know has recently purchased a new car, or will purchase a new car in the near future, please share the following information. After you purchase a new vehicle, the dealership will talk to you about your new car warranty. They will probably try to sell you an extended warranty.

Many dealerships will tell you that you should bring your car back to the dealership for all its maintenance services during the warranty. They may even go so far as to tell you that if you go anywhere but the dealership that your warranty will be invalid.

This is the single biggest LIE that is being told to unsuspecting consumers all around the country. The truth is, according to the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act of 1975, a manufacturer cannot require a consumer to buy parts or services from the manufacturer to maintain warranty status. 

You can bring your car to any repair shop for your maintenance services, and not have to worry about your warranty being invalid. In fact, you are much better off to take your car anyplace BUT the dealer during the warranty.

Why you should NOT go to the dealer for maintenance

An independent shop will be much more likely to inspect your car thoroughly and point out a potential problem to you while the car is still under warranty. Then you can go back to the dealership and have it fixed for free. The dealership may not notice a problem covered under your warranty until after the warranty expires.

Make sure that the shop performing your maintenance services keeps accurate records of all services performed on your vehicle, and uses quality parts that meet or exceed the manufacturer's specifications.

Why preventative maintenance?

Although manufacturers are making cars that last longer and require less overall maintenance, they do require some preventative maintenance. If maintained properly, you can expect your car to go well over 100,000 miles without major service. For instance, most engines have timing belts that must be replaced before they wear out and break and cause even more expensive damage.

Car manufacturers know that a properly maintained vehicle will be more dependable, safer, last longer and increase your satisfaction with their product. Car makers and owners also have a responsibility to make sure emission controls receive regular service and are functioning properly. Regular maintenance helps accomplish these goals by keeping your engine running efficiently and eliminating potential problems that may leave you stranded.

What's in it for you?

• Saves you money!
• A more dependable vehicle
• A vehicle that retains more "new vehicle feel"
• Less chance of a costly breakdown
• A safer vehicle for you and your family
• Doing your part for cleaner air
• A car that is worth more at trade in or sale
• An intact warranty

Manufacturer Maintenance Schedules

Manufacturers create detailed maintenance schedules outlining specific operation to be performed on various components and systems. These services are done at different mileage intervals to ensure proper operation and prevent premature wear. Manufacturers also indicate specific services that must be done to maintain the factory warranty and extended warranty.

Why Master Auto Repair?

• We have been fully computerized since 1993, and have complete history records on file for all our clients' vehicles.
• We use only top quality, name-brand parts to preserve your new car warranty.
• Our technicians attend ongoing training classes to keep up-to-date on the latest technology.
• We use a computer that lists all the factory safety recalls, and also the "factory service bulletins". Factory service bulletins are not safety recalls, but are notices sent by the factory to their dealership service departments which tell how to correct problems found in their new cars.
• We care about you and your vehicle. You are not just a number to us.
• We offer same day service (when has this ever happened at a car dealer?)
• We are located right in your neighborhood. We can shuttle you to home or work.