subject: Mercedes: How To Void Your Manufacturer Warranty [print this page] Even a precision automobile as respected as the Mercedes can break down. When that happens, you will hopefully be able to count on the manufacturer's warranty to save you from needing to dig deep into your bank account to cover the costs. Unless the warranty has run out, there's no reason why you shouldn't be able to rely on that coverage. Well, unless you have unintentionally voided that warranty by doing something against the rules. Unfortunately, people do just this all the time. If you want to know what to avoid so that this doesn't happen to you, read on for some of the things that may void your warranty.
Use Unapproved Fluids
There was a time when you couldn't turn on the television without seeing a commercial for some new fuel or oil additive that would supposedly turn your car into a beast on the roads. These days, the hype for these additives has died down quite a bit, but they are still out there. Most of them are harmless, even if they don't necessarily live up to their promise. Some, however, can create real problems, especially when put into a car like a Mercedes, which is fine tuned for specific products. This doesn't even get into things like using the wrong oil weight or putting gas into a diesel tank. Those actions will almost certainly void your warranty.
Toss Out Receipts
There's no law that says you have to get all of your maintenance done through your Mercedes dealership. In fact, quite the opposite is true. There are laws in place that specify that the customer be given freedom of choice when it comes to getting his car serviced. That said, make sure you hold on to your receipts if you don't want to void your warranty. The manufacturer has every right to void that warranty if your engine fails and-according to any available records-you haven't changed the oil in three years. Every warranty comes with the clause that certain maintenance requirements be met. Whether you get them done at the dealership or elsewhere, make sure you have a record of it.
Tow a Heavy Trailer
Most owners of a luxury automobile like a Mercedes are not going to put their car in harm's way by making it tow heavy trailers, boats, or anything else. But maybe you are tired of living under the oppression of a restrictive warranty and you want to dance on the edge. This is a good way to void that protection, as there are usually restrictions on how much a car is rated to tow.
