The U.S. federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act prohibits warranty issuers > from> requiring you to use a certain "brands" for service, parts, etc as a> condition to maintain warranty coverage. I'm not sure about professional > vs.> do-it-yourself. And of course this is not really a warranty but a service> contract anyway. Your question is interesting and worth some research (I'm> actually writing a feature story on warranty rights in the next few weeks> and will check your case with my experts.) I really think this is > something> you should run by an attorney specializing in consumer law. You might > check> with your state attorney general's office, consumer protection department> and possibility DMV repairers division. Or are you in Canada? Global looks> like a Canadian company?> They might be interested and/or give> you some names of attorneys to contact.>

From the perspective of what is "reasonable," disclaiming the warranty on> the basis of engine oil changes seems unreasonable. Even if there is > wording> in the contract, it would seem to me that courts would not be inclined to> uphold unreasonable provisions .... but you never know. There might even > be> some kind of provision in your state law to protect you. If I find out any> more from my experts while this thread is still active, I'll post back. > Did> you check the contract? Can you post the pertinent wording? Did you buy > this> third party contract or was it provided as part of the sale. Was it > through> a Ford dealer or a used car shop? If it's a dealer, he may be able to > muscle> the company for you. Who did the warranty work? Did you say you don't have> receipts for the oil changes you did yourself? Where are you?>

You might consider filing a BBB complaint. This company is a BBB member. > You> might check this:> http://www.bbblondo­n.on.ca/commonreport­.html?bid=1907>

Assuming there are not other issues, I'd be really surprised if you would> not prevail in this in a court or even with the threat of court. Of > course,> the service contract industry has a horrible reputation. Just the idea > that> they would try to get out of covering this on the basis of oil changes > shows> what they are like. Unless the contract is issued and backed by an> automaker, it may not be worth much. You certainly have to read the fine> print. But again, I certainly would not drop this if I were you.>

You must keep us posted about how this goes.>

-- > Regards,> Anthony Giorgianni>

The return address for this post is fictitious. Please reply by posting > back> to the newsgroup.> "Teleplus Gatineau" <gat@teleplus.ca> wrote in message> news:222Td.33709$Am­3.932213@news20.bell­global.com...> TO JIM AND ALL READERS,>

I purchased my 99 explorer about a year ago. The warranty on it is through > a> third party warranty company.>

As you already know my tranny went and I brought it in to get serviced. > (it> was getting stuck in 4th gear at a stop light). Anyways I brought it in > and> they set it up for warranty work, and called me back to tell me it was not> covered by the third party 3 year Power Train warranty!>

I asked as to why this was, and they told me that because I don't have> service records of oil changes at a profession shop, my warranty is void. > I> change my own oil to save money and because it is a no brainer, and I am> punished! Crazy! I am still a bit confused as to what the HELL my engine > oil> even being changed at all, no matter by who, has anything to do with a> transmission!? The warranty Cost me $2000 dollars, and the job is roughly > a> bit more than that! so now I am out my Warranty (they wont refund it > because> it has been more than 30 days since the purchase) and I am out the repair.> so a broken tranny cost me nearly $5000 because of this STUPID warranty> company. The company name was GLOBAL WARRANTY.>

Just a note to all of you readers out there planning on buying a used> vehicle, DO NOT BY AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM A THIRD PARTY! It is a> nightmare. The ford warranty I had on it was GREAT! no hassles and loaner> car without even asking, but not this with this third party warranty.>

Jim, do you know if they can even get away with something like that? It is> kind of ruthless if you ask me.>

BE WARNED!>

-- > -Andy> 99 Ford Explorer XLS> www.cardomain.com/i­d/andylabelle>

I purchased my 99 explorer about a year ago. The warranty on it is > through a third party warranty company.>

As you already know my tranny went and I brought it in to get serviced. > (it was getting stuck in 4th gear at a stop light). Anyways I brought it > in and they set it up for warranty work, and called me back to tell me > it was not covered by the third party 3 year Power Train warranty!>

I asked as to why this was, and they told me that because I don't have > service records of oil changes at a profession shop, my warranty is > Snip

just a question while on this subject.>

i purchased extended warranty from dealer when i bought car new-it is not Ford, but i had one minor claim ($200) and they paid Ok.>

I now have 60000 miles & maintenance schedule says change transmission fluid. However, my mechanic, whom I really trust, says the transmission fluid is really clean and does not need to be changed. >

So my question-should I follow the maintence schedule and change the transmission fluid? >Or trust my mechanic who says don't bother at this mileage because the fluid looks fine?>

the transmission fluid was changed at 30k interval. I am a pretty easy driver.>

2000 Limited>5.0 V8 4X2

So my question-should I follow the maintence schedule >and change the