Very, very interesting--if true.

[1 Bravo 6]

Whilst reading through my book of handy hints, I came accross an item that might be of interest to you lot up there.

I quote;

Fix your car for free. Don't just shell out money to get your car fixed. Thanks to secret warranties nobody's telling you about, you might be entitled to free auto repairs. Here's how it works.

Secret warranties are a response to a common problem in particular vehicles. For example, maybe the brakes are shoddy or the paint peels in certain models. The manufacturer agrees to fix the problem for free--but doesn't tell the public. The auto makers profit from this strategy, because most times, the consumer gets stuck with the bill. Unless you play detective.

At any time, there are at least 500 secret warranties out there. The tricky part is finding them. Because only four states have laws requiring auto makers to tell you about secret warranties, you usually have to uncover them on your own. Your best bet is to look for technical service bulletins (TSB's) that deal with the model and year of your vehicle. These documents from the manufacturer let dealers know about common problems with certain cars--and, sometimes, how to fix them. TSB's are available to the public. Just ask your dealer for copies.

Other good sources of help include the Center for Auto Safety, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the Federal Trade Commission. Also, keep your eyes open for stories in the media or trade magazines about automobile defects.

Remember, these warranties are secret. So they're not going to be called "secret warranties". They might be called "goodwill adjustments" or something similar. But you can find enough evidence to show your dealer that you know a secret warranty exists. The key is to be well informed and persistent.

End quote.

Now, I have no way of knowing whether the above is correct or not BUT The book was written by yanks, edited by yanks, produced by yanks and published by yanks so it MUST be true and correct. At least when applied to the American car manufacturing industry.

Seriously, I hope it IS correct and is of some help to some of you.

Rick.

[Mr Camouflage]

Yeah it true.

They are not really warrenties as such, but manufacturer recalls to fix faults that have developed with the cars.

We have these laws in Australia.

For Example the VH commodore has a design flaw with the seat mountings. The mounting hole for the front drivers side seat usually develops a crack in the metal radiating out from the hole due to poor design and not enough reinforcing in the area. (from the back hole i believe, from memory).

Holden issued a Recall warning, that was most likely published in a national newspaper for one day. If you were lucky enough to see it and had one of the cars you could take it to a holden dealer and get it fixed. Even if you are not the original owner.

But heres the catch: They say that the allocated time to fix the fault is (for example) 2 hours. Then thay take 4 hours to fix it and charge you the extra 2 hours at some obscene amout per hour.

I guess the trick around that it to go back to the dealer when they have finished, jump in your car (they usually leave the keys in the ignition) and drive off without going in to the service desk where they will hit you up for the extra.

[Fun_in_my_z]

Yeah thats about right.

My Grandfathers Brand new Saturn Veiw got recalled last month.

[Gav240z]

As good as it sounds I don't think it would apply for a Z. Besides I'd rather not leave my Z with some Grease Monkey at Nissan who doesn't know a Z from a Silvia But thanks for the heads up. Might come in handy with other car(s) i may own.

[Go240Zags]

:mad: General Motors lost some serious goodwill and a potential repeat customer with me. Lots of people in my rural part of America own pickups -- Wild West and all that. GM definately had a problem in the 90's with their little Chevy S-10 and S-15 based pickups and vans as soon after purchase the paint started flaking off and seeing the small rigs looking like they had some serious skin disease was a common sight. GM did "make good" on these by paying for a re-paint, of course from what I saw the checks weren't for much more than $700 bucks. The problem apparently showed up within the first couple years of purchase.

In my case, however, I had the full size K1500 Chevy Silverado 4X4 with a shortbox. Just like its smaller cousins the paint and primer decided they weren't compatible and my paint started coming off. Unfortunately this happened when the truck was six years old. First a 50 cent piece flew off my hood, then it really started letting go. My truck started to look like some sort of white Dalmatian with large gray primer spots. GM would not "make good" and said they'd check "goodwill" and still the answer came back no. I know six years is a long time to warranty something. But consider this, does anyone buy a new car or truck (which, in my case, cost more than my parents' house in 1969) and not expect the paint to last at least 10 years? The truck was well cared for and not abused. It would be different if it was a case of wear and tear, but this was a problem GM was aware of and should have to fix whether it was during a mysterious "secret warranty" repair period or not. I think I shall look at anyone but GM if I ever buy a new truck again.

One last thing -- in every other way, the truck has been an excellent vehicle, not needing to have any major work done on it in 12 years, but a new fuel pump, alternator, and other minor things. But the paint thing really has me steamed, especially when I got the bill to have it re-done. :mad:

[beandip]

I have a '90 Ford F-150 and it did the same thing for the same reasons. I bought the truck used with only 30K on it and it looked new. I had a chip on the hood also, and thought it was from bird droppings. I ordered some touch up paint . The hood ended up looking as Garys240z's Chevy. I took the truck to the dealer and what I was told is that '' yes , it is a factory pealer . Did you buy the truck new ? no ? sorry . If you were the orgional owner we would repaint the whole truck ''. Talk about frosted , and I dont mean Aus.beer either . That is where it sets I repainted the hood my self and so far the rest of the truck is holding. I also have no other complaints about the truck . Another Gary !!! Maby we should change our names. LOL