Auto Repair: What Is a Powertrain Warranty?

You've probably heard the term "powertrain warranty" thrown about if you've ever purchased a new car. You can even hear it mentioned in various car commercials. It's something many manufacturer's are proud to offer, and perhaps rightfully so. When determining what vehicle to buy, it's a good thing to keep in mind. Some manufacturers offer them for a period of ten years, while others have covered their vehicles with a warranty that lasts a lifetime. If you aren't sure what aspect of auto repair the powertrain warranty covers, however, you may find it difficult to care. Here is a look at what is covered and what you need to watch out for.

The Powertrain

While many factory warranties (usually much shorter in duration) will cover systems like the wheels and the brakes, the powertrain warranty covers only the powertrain. This is limited to the engine, the transmission, and the drivetrain. To make it simple, the powertrain is what gives your car its power. When there are problems, you can count on your warranty to cover the auto repair. This is valuable, since major issues with this area of the car can be expensive to fix. A big transmission problem, for instance, could force you into a difficult choice between fixing it and buying a new car. This choice is made easy if the auto repair is free.

Read the Contract

Manufacturers aren't going to let another company outdo them. And if they do, they are going to do whatever they can to obscure this fact from the customer. That means contracts that are difficult to read and advertising that misleads the average person. Try not to fall into any traps. If a dealership is offering something that seems to be too good to be true, wait until you can do some research before you make a decision. The best thing you can do when negotiating to buy a car is walk off the lot, anyway. Even if it isn't your purpose, you'll probably have them calling with a better offer in no time. In the meantime, you can research the warranty and see if it is all you think it is.

Requirements

Powertrain warranties often come with restrictions and requirements. You can't simply ignore all of the scheduled maintenance recommendations and expect the manufacturer to pay for auto repair when something goes wrong. It's often recommended that you get this maintenance done at the dealership, just to ensure there is a record of it. If you want to save some money, however, you can almost certainly find it for less elsewhere. Just make sure the auto repair shop you choose can give you the documentation you need.