I had gone to the dealership where i purchased my 2001 Ford F150 for the first oil change and the service writer said that by using a K@N air cleaner that the warranty could possibly be void. I had read on the website for k@n that by using a replacement filter that there should be no worries. Any input to this matter would be greatly appreciated.

 

I put aftermarket windshield wiper blades on my truck yesterday, do you suppose that this will void my warranty too?

 

tell ya what...keep yourregular paper filter and whenever you have to go to the dealer for something, swap it with your K&N, that way they'll never know you have one.

 

I'd find a new dealer if possible. If they are honestly trying to say that an air filter will void your warranty, I just wonder what other type of stuff they'll pull if given the chance.

I'll bet that you could go to their own parts counter and buy the K&N . . . hmmm . . .

A supercharger I can see, not an air filter. Like the other posters said, just put the paper filter in when you get servicing or find another dealer if possible.

I've got a cat-back system and a K&N and have had warranty work done, so I think it's your particular shop.

 

I had to put aftermarket gas in my truck because the factory gas ran out, Is my warranty void?

Why does the best vehicle manufacturer in the world allow such complete idiots to speak on their behalf?

 

Ford sells similar filters in their performance catalog...duh !!

 

My service rep. told me that if I installed an after-market computer chip, ford will void all related warranty and they (ford) can run the codes to see if there was a chip installed prior?

I go to get the truck inspected and the truck does not pass because of my AirRaid?
What a frecking hassle.

 

Any mod we do to our trucks can cause Ford to deny warranty coverage for a repair. If the failure was caused buy the mod. After spending a lot of time here, doing some research and reading my warranty, I hate to hear "will void the warranty". What do they mean? Do they mean "no soup for you! "? I mean, that they will no longer perform any warranty work because I used a K&N? Thats crap, and shows that they don't understand the warranty.
I am pleased to be working with a dealership/service dept. that does understand the warranty. I think they know I understand it pretty well too.
Find another dealer!

Tom

 

The only difference between the filter in the Ford Motorsport Catalog at your dealer and your K & N is the color of the oil. K & N manufactures the filter for Ford.

I went through all of this BS about 3 years ago when I took my '99 in for some warranty work. I didn't take the K & N out before I dropped the truck off with a long list of things to check and problems to fix.

When I called them from work to see if my truck was going to be ready, they told me that the MAF sensor had gone bad because of my aftermarket filter. They told me that I was going to have to pay $275 to replace it because the oiled filter voided the warranty. I started making phone calls and after about 5 hours and a dozen phone calls, I finally got a straight answer from an engineer at FoMoCo. He told me (off the record) to: Turn off the truck, let it cool off, remove the MAF, spray it with Brakleen, let it flash off, and re-install the MAF. When I called the dealer with this info, they refused to even try it, they would only replace the so-called defective part. Needless to say, I told them to park my truck outside and that I would come and get it and fix it myself.

 

I've had my K&N from day one and have had my truck in for warranty work 3 times - piston slap, head gasket and full engine replacement. I even have the K&N sticker on the air box that says "Do not replace". The service dept never said one word about it...

 

The M&M warranty act of the early 1980's prevents ANY car dealer from denying warranty work unless it specifically states in the warranty that changing the air filter voids the warranty. You have nothing to worry about.

-Flea

 

Ignore them. If they aren't effecting what you have it in for, don't worry about it. There are too many complete morons trying to write service.

Worry about it only when they are refusing a warranty claim when it means something. Otherwise, smile and say, "...you don't say. I'll have to remember that.." and inside, laugh at him; you'll feel good about it.

 

That is complete and total ignorance and stupidity on their part. Find another dealer, tell everyone to stay away from the dealer where they told you this. I am sorry, y'all, but that struck a nerve, you paid too much for your truck to be treated like that, and to be told that they can void your warranty by using an air filter (something that is a regular maintenance thing). March back to that shop and tell whoever said that to roll up their service department, shove it up their hiney and set it on fire. You deserve better than a place that is always trying to intimidate you by threatening your warranty. Ford has enough of our money, even if we never spend another dime on anything they sell, be it parts or another vehicle. You deserve better treatment than that. K&N before it leaves the lot for me! When me having a K&N drop-in fliter screws my engine up so bad that it needs to be repaired, then I will understand.

 

actually there is a law preventing that.

when the filters first starting coming out, "aftermarket filters" dealers were voiding warranty.

well it turned out that they had pretty much a monopoly over the filter system.

it is illegal for any manufacturer to void a warranty for an aftermarket replacement unless they offer that same part for free..

why should you be "FORCED" TO BUY A FORD product if you want something else????

i will search till i find the info on this.

i do know that it is illegal though..

 

It is interesting to note I think that in several of the dealerships I have been to the guys writing service are sorta interchangeable with the car salesmen. No offense to any of you who might be car salesmen, but I have yet to meet a car salesmen that knew his butt from a hole in the ground when it actually came to real mehcanical knowledge. The salesman selling my wife her taurus told her that the FFV badge on the side was a special interior package. ( it stands for Flex Fuel Vehicle which I am proud to say that my wife KNEW because she had already asked me and so this know it all salesman was told by a cute little brunette that he was a moron)
So basically what I am trying to say is that putting the service writer between the customer and the guys in the shop has basically ruined any sort of real comminication between the guy describing his problem and the guy who is attempting to fix it.
I hang out at the dealership till the mechanic ventures away from the service desk and usually corner him and tell him what the deal is and I have found that when I do this I more often times than not I get a straight answer.
Can anyone tell me what the service writer guy is supposed to do other than wring money out of the unsuspecting customer?