Launch control Voids powertrain warranty

[Clearly Canadian]

Mods, better to refute rubbish with the truth rather than shutting down the conversation entirely. Just my two cents..

 

[JDM_Man]

I’m honestly tempted to lock this thread so that it doesn’t perpetuate the BS people believe from what salespeople say.

I asked the question for this simple reason.

Golf R owners had their power train warranties voided if they did more then 10 launches with launch.control in the cars life. THIS IS WELL DOCUMENTED, just google it! After reading up on this I called the KIA dealership I bought the car from to see if anything existed like this for the Stinger and verbatim explained what they told me. No need to lock the thread. .

 

[Stinger GT2 Modified]

Literally impossible for them to know that unless you told them. That guy is making stuff up.

 

[ElChanclo]

Literally impossible for them to know that unless you told them. That guy is making stuff up.

You think that UVO app is ONLY sending data to you? Considering how valuable user data is now, I wouldn't be surprised if your car pinged the kia servers every time you fart. Bet that voids any warranty on the leather.

 

[Dan1028]

I wouldn't be surprised if your car pinged the kia servers every time you fart. Bet that voids any warranty on the leather.

Probably true. It's why I use the backwash cycle on mine afterwards .

On a serious note, this happened about ten years ago to the GT-R folks who had no reason to suspect otherwise that their warranties would cover their grenaded transmissions. Lo and behold, Nissan voided the warranties of those that used launch control, at least initially. This was a publicity disaster for Nissan, and I think other automakers took note: don't offer the feature if you won't cover it. Of course, I've not checked with Kia, but I'd be surprised if they voided anything for using LC.

As for tracking cars, this also happened about 10 years ago to the WRX (I believe) folks where manufacturer's reps we're coming to autocross and other events and photographing license plates to void warranties. Another bad PR day, but couldn't tell you the ultimate outcome.

Here's an article about tracking cars from last year. A small tidbit about the Stinger, but inconclusive:

Is your new-car warranty good at the race track?

 

[eflyguy]

It simply comes down to - until they officially inform the customer, there is no way they could deny coverage in the US.

My comment about things being different in Canada was simply pointing out that laws regarding this may be different there.

 

[Dan1028]

It simply comes down to - until they officially inform the customer, there is no way they could deny coverage in the US.

I agree, in general. But manufacturers seem to have a lot of leeway when it comes to the term "abuse." I would think that, for 99% of owners and how they use the car and this feature, there would be no issue of coverage.

 

[Ucinn]

I don't see how launch control could void the warranty on the stinger because the LC is pretty much a joke on this car compared to others.

 

[Metalmania82]

They can't just go and void your warranty for using that specific feature. They can deny specific warranty claims at the time of service, but not void the entire warranty.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Coles notes: a piggy back fudges the sensor readings to make the ECU do what it wants.

Well! I'll be swizzelled! A nefarious war going on between information gathering systems (no doubt a nanny state gov't demand) and private enterprise saying "Mind your own damned business!" This should turn out well

 

[cmivxx]

They can't just go and void your warranty for using that specific feature. They can deny specific warranty claims at the time of service, but not void the entire warranty.

Yes, this exactly. They can't give you access to a feature and say "don't use it", but they can say "you misused said feature, so this claim is invalid". VW's claim on the Golf R's was the same....

But when I have the dealer, specifically showing me and allowing me to use said feature, they damn well aren't going to tell me that my warranty is invalid because I used the feature. I discussed this with the GM and SM at my dealer and they said that it's just conjecture and they would never deny a claim for its use.

 

[Stinger GT2 Modified]

You think that UVO app is ONLY sending data to you? Considering how valuable user data is now, I wouldn't be surprised if your car pinged the kia servers every time you fart. Bet that voids any warranty on the leather.

Your hilarious

 

[MisterMac]

The topic of this thread is laughable. Read your warranty manual. There is a sound legal reason that is in print. Too many wise-in-their-own-eyes people spouting fiction as facts. I say use every feature of your vehicle as many times as you can within the warranty period so that you can identify the weak links and have the warranty cover the repairs.

 

[ScottM]

You think that UVO app is ONLY sending data to you? Considering how valuable user data is now, I wouldn't be surprised if your car pinged the kia servers every time you fart. Bet that voids any warranty on the leather.

The farting part is funny...made me laugh very much so. BUT...the give and take of data is an important note and very true. Think of it in very simple terms. If you can see someone, they can see you period. So, if you are able to get to something...they are able to get to you and see what you are doing. Data...it's a big thing these days and pretty much why apps and the like let you use them for free. They get...data! In any event, I've got data things to do...give and take.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I say use every feature of your vehicle as many times as you can within the warranty period so that you can break the weak links and have the warranty cover the repairs.

Oh fine, in and out of the shop as each thing pushed beyond its max fails. My philosophy is to treat machines well, even gently except in need; make them last. I get more use time and less repair/down time that way.

 

[MisterMac]

Oh fine, in and out of the shop as each thing pushed beyond its max fails. My philosophy is to treat machines well, even gently except in need; make them last. I get more use time and less repair/down time that way.

That's nice. You must've thought I said abuse.

 

[MerlintheMad]

That's nice. You must've thought I said abuse.

I guess that was the gist of what I took away. But you are not saying anything of the sort, by your response. So, I guess I don't understand what you mean. Look for chances to use every feature as often as possible? That's not abuse, but it is excess. Why would you want to do that, other than to get each failed item replaced under warranty? And that means in the shop a lot if you "use up" your car under warranty. Oh never mind.

 

[MisterMac]

I guess that was the gist of what I took away. But you are not saying anything of the sort, by your response. So, I guess I don't understand what you mean. Look for chances to use every feature as often as possible? That's not abuse, but it is excess. Why would you want to do that, other than to get each failed item replaced under warranty? And that means in the shop a lot if you "use up" your car under warranty. Oh never mind.

Ah, I see where I miscommunicated so I edited my text.

The point is, these vehicles are made to be used. Abuse is typically not covered under warranty. However, for example, I don't like to drive with the windows down or the sunroof open. I hate letting all the dust into my car and dislike to extra noise. Even still, I regularly open and close all the windows and sunroof to test them, keep the tracks cleaner, and "use them as often as possible." I also open and close the glove box, storage compartment, and sunglass holder so I know they are functioning properly. I walk around my car every morning looking for what might be broken or not look right. I have tested my launch control several times, practiced hard-breaking so I know I can depend on them when needed, etc...

One of my early cars was a 1977 Impala I bought from my grandpa. It was 5 years old and in excellent shape. He had never rolled down the rear windows to his recollection. Guess what??? The first time I tried to roll the driver rear window down, it didn't work. The motor had seized up.....

Therefore, I repeat, use every possible feature as often as possible. See what breaks and get it fixed on the manufactures dime instead of your own. With all the testing each part goes through during development, we should be able to use every feature each day and not have them break. Regular use is not abuse nor is it in excess.

 

[MerlintheMad]

With all the testing each part goes through during development, we should be able to use every feature each day and not have them break. Regular use is not abuse nor is it in excess.

This is very true. I do that. Not as often as possible, but all the time. I know that Kia tests everything exhaustively. My favorite factoid is their description of how they tested the durability of the upholstery. The put their 165 lb dummy into and out of the seats 20K times! The same can be said of their windows and all the motorized components and features of their cars. And the latches on glove boxes and consols, ditto. By now, long before now, they already know how long to expect parts to last. That is why they confidently offer the best bumper to bumper warranty.

 

[forzanerazzurri]

This is very true. I do that. Not as often as possible, but all the time. I know that Kia tests everything exhaustively. My favorite factoid is their description of how they tested the durability of the upholstery. The put their 165 lb dummy into and out of the seats 20K times! The same can be said of their windows and all the motorized components and features of their cars. And the latches on glove boxes and consols, ditto. By now, long before now, they already know how long to expect parts to last. That is why they confidently offer the best bumper to bumper warranty.

They must have forgotten to brush the dummy's ass against the bolster a few times.