If you're on the those people who bought their vehicle from a dealership that offers the AUTO4LIFE powertrain warranty program, please chime in with your opinions.
For those of you who are not aware of what AUTO4LIFE is, it is a "free" Powertrain warranty provided by a third party. It is provided in writing, at no extra cost when you purchased your vehicle and does not have a time or mileage limit. You do have to have ALL your manufacturer's recommended service performed at the participating dealership in order to maintain the warranty. There is also a $100 deductible per warranty claim. All work must be pre-approved also before commencement.
Here is the coverage. http://www.auto4life.com/LifeTimePowertrain-Coverage.html
The program is obviously a revenue generator for participating dealerships. http://www.autodealermonthly.com/60/3586/ARTICLE/Sweetening-the-Deal.aspx
There is no need to debate that.
Everyone also knows that dealers charge a lot for their "recommended" scheduled maintenance. This forum is very pro-DIY. I too prefer to change my own fluids and stuff. The question is how valueable is this warranty program? especially after the 5yrs/60K miles when the factory powertrain warranty is over. How much does it cost to replace a wheel bearing? A transfer case?
For those people who HAVE this warranty, are you intending on using the dealership for maintenance just to keep the warranty despite being able to DIY the maintenance?
For those of you who are not aware of what AUTO4LIFE is, it is a "free" Powertrain warranty provided by a third party. It is provided in writing, at no extra cost when you purchased your vehicle and does not have a time or mileage limit. You do have to have ALL your manufacturer's recommended service performed at the participating dealership in order to maintain the warranty. There is also a $100 deductible per warranty claim. All work must be pre-approved also before commencement.
Here is the coverage. http://www.auto4life.com/LifeTimePowertrain-Coverage.html
The program is obviously a revenue generator for participating dealerships. http://www.autodealermonthly.com/60/3586/ARTICLE/Sweetening-the-Deal.aspx
There is no need to debate that.
Everyone also knows that dealers charge a lot for their "recommended" scheduled maintenance. This forum is very pro-DIY. I too prefer to change my own fluids and stuff. The question is how valueable is this warranty program? especially after the 5yrs/60K miles when the factory powertrain warranty is over. How much does it cost to replace a wheel bearing? A transfer case?
For those people who HAVE this warranty, are you intending on using the dealership for maintenance just to keep the warranty despite being able to DIY the maintenance?
