We joke about voiding the warranty. WELL....
#11
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Santa Klaus County, Cali
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#13
Also, this really isn't anything that any other manufacturer would list.
Taken from the bulletin posted above.
Notice the use of the words "may".
Nothing at all unusual about that, and they are correct in stating something like that.
If you have engine damage AND they can prove it was because you used inferior lubricants, all manufacturers will deny warranty coverage.
But unless they can actually prove it was the oils fault, they can't deny coverage just because you used another brand of oil.
Use of inferior lubricants may affect warranty coverage
Engine warranty claims are subject to review and may be denied if it is found that inferior lubricants are used.
Engine warranty claims are subject to review and may be denied if it is found that inferior lubricants are used.
#14
Yep, I read it the same way. Nothing to stop a bike owner from using a reputable brand to do his own warranty work. Maybe leverage to allow a dealer to refuse to install customer provided fluids ( do they allow that today?).
If a customer does their own warranty work then HD corporate would have to prove an inferior or incompatible oil to deny the warranty. Inferior? maybe, if someone used some no name off-brand with no performance rating at all. But incompatible? No chance if they claim they use proprietary formulas. They would have to disclose the proprietary ingredients in open court to prove incompatability. Or so this non lawyer thinks.
If a customer does their own warranty work then HD corporate would have to prove an inferior or incompatible oil to deny the warranty. Inferior? maybe, if someone used some no name off-brand with no performance rating at all. But incompatible? No chance if they claim they use proprietary formulas. They would have to disclose the proprietary ingredients in open court to prove incompatability. Or so this non lawyer thinks.
#15
Amsoil does cause engine failures. A 2011 Mazda CX9 came into our shop one day, with internal engine noise.
Customer stated that he used Amsoil for his first and only oil change, which was just 5000 miles ago and the engine was deprived of oil. We only drained a 1/2 quart out of the oil Pans 6 quart capacity... The manufactur only paid 50% of the warranty claim citing the Amsoil as a cause of failure. The oil slipped past piston rings and burned without the customer knowing before it was too late.
While my bike is under warranty... I'm sucking it up and buying the Syn3 in case of any motor concerns under warranty as I don't want the Stealer or HD trying to pin it on me.
Customer stated that he used Amsoil for his first and only oil change, which was just 5000 miles ago and the engine was deprived of oil. We only drained a 1/2 quart out of the oil Pans 6 quart capacity... The manufactur only paid 50% of the warranty claim citing the Amsoil as a cause of failure. The oil slipped past piston rings and burned without the customer knowing before it was too late.
While my bike is under warranty... I'm sucking it up and buying the Syn3 in case of any motor concerns under warranty as I don't want the Stealer or HD trying to pin it on me.
#18
Unfortunately.. No he didn't. However... With a 18,000 mile old engine, I don't think it's at all necessary and with a 7500 mile oil change interval. He should of been fine. if the customer had used straight up Dino oil he'd of been fine. There's been cases where Amsoil is too thin and gets even thinner than normal when hot. Hence the damage. But Amsoil sure has separated a lot of people from their money with their Snake Oil...
#19
Yep, because even the Dealers learned along time ago that it doesn't really matter what oil you use.