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Should I extend my vehicle warranty contract?

Written by Paul Hrynew

Category: GM Service Maintenance Tips and Information

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There are many different types and levels of extended warranty available based on coverage, time, kilometers, or a mix of any. As of 2007, all General Motors vehicles have factory power-train warranty for 5 years or 160,000 kilometers. This warranty includes the mechanical components of the engine, transmission, transfer case, and differential. GM power-trains are better today then they've ever been and for that reason it eliminates the need for the "base" extended warranty that covers power-trains only.

 I personally recommend the "top end" or "total plus" warranty for protection from any electric or electronic failure. If you live in Edmonton or the surrounding area you need a "top end" warranty on ANY brand of vehicle. The hardest thing on electronic components is our winter climate mixed with severe temperature fluctuations. A similar example would the purchase of a new television, the first thing it says in the owners manual is to allow it to warm up to room temperature before plugging it in. The reason is if the circuit boards, transistors, capacitors, etc, were to warm up too quickly by plugging it in, it could cause a component to crack or break. Another example is your home or office computer. Computers in your home or office are in a constant climate and in many cases a humidity controlled environment to make the performance more stable and reliable. Automobiles are manufactured using the same electronic components, the components are just sealed better to protect them from the elements. Of course vehicles are operated in all sorts of temperature and weather conditions imaginable yet we expect these electronic components to last forever, they don't!

An average electronic repair in today's vehicle starts around $400.00 and increases from there. What's worse is today's vehicles are jammed with electronic devices, modules, and controls. Even entry-level vehicles have multiple modules in them. A basic explanation of how the modules or computers operate would be when starting a vehicle. Turning the key in the ignition is only telling a computer/module that you want to start your vehicle. The anti-theft module verifies that the key/lock/tumbler is correct and that the vehicle isn't being stolen. If this passes it tells the engine computer that its OK to start the vehicle. The engine computer decides when and in what order to turn on the fuel pump, ignition, firing order, injectors, starter motor, etc, etc, and the vehicle starts. If any one of these components were to fail, the vehicle won't start. Its the protection from electronic and electrical failure where the customer benefits from an Extended Warranty.

A quality "top end" extended warranty also provides peace of mind and security. The contract usually has a provision for boosting, towing, or rental vehicle when there's a problem. Most extended warranties are transferable and selling your vehicle with an active warranty can make it easier to sell. I have also heard from customers who had sold their vehicle for an increased value just because it still had an active contract on the vehicle. That offsets the original cost of the warranty and its a win/win for the customer.

For any questions regarding Extended Warranties please contact us at Lakewood Chevrolet.

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