When a driver wants to use aftermarket parts to enhance vehicle’s performance and reap the benefits of lower costs, his dealer warns that this will cancel vehicle warranty, leaving him unprotected. Dealer may not be telling the truth…Sure Filter® wants customers to remember, that aftermarket products will not automatically void warranties, thanks to protection from the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.
In 1975 Senators Warren G. Magnuson and Frank Moss proposed a unique bill – one that would protect individuals from unscrupulous dealer policies. It was aptly named the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and it stated: “No warrantor of a consumer product may condition his written or implied warranty of such product on the consumer's using, in connection with such product, any article or service (other than article or service provided without charge under the terms of the warranty) which is identified by brand, trade, or corporate name.” (This is recorded in the US Code - Title 15, Chapter 50, Section 2302, Article C)
What does this mean? Simply explained, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act shields consumers against faulty warranties and requires that all terms be readily understandable. This is to ensure that all transactions are in good faith.
The Law is on Your Side
The Filter Manufacturer’s Council Technical Service Bulletin (TSB-85-1R2) gives specific guidelines to engine manufacturers on their recommendation of consumer aftermarket filtration products: “Under the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, the Clean Air Act and general principles of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission Act, a manufacturer may not require the use of any brand of filter (or any other article) unless the manufacturer provides the item free of charge under the terms of the warranty. If the consumer is told that only the original equipment filter will not void the warranty, they should request that the OE filter be supplied free of charge.”
