A lot of drivers assume a warranty covers “anything that goes wrong.” In reality, most warranties are designed to cover manufacturing defects—not routine maintenance and parts that wear out over time.
That’s why it’s common to hear, “It’s not covered,” when the issue is actually a maintenance item or normal wear and tear. Here’s a clear breakdown of what warranties usually don’t cover, why, and how regular maintenance can save you money long-term.
What Warranties Usually Cover (Quick Summary)
Most warranties generally cover defects in materials or workmanship—meaning something failed prematurely due to a faulty part or assembly issue.
What they typically don’t cover:
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Normal wear and tear
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Routine services
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Damage from neglect, overheating, low fluids, or accidents
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Modifications or misuse
(Exact coverage depends on the warranty, but these principles are consistent across most programs.)
Regular Maintenance Items Usually NOT Covered by Warranty
These are the most common “not covered” items we see—because they’re expected to wear out or require routine servicing.
1) Oil Changes & Filters
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Engine oil and filter
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Air filter and cabin air filter
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Fuel filter (on some vehicles)
Why not covered: These are scheduled services, not defects.
2) Brake Wear Items
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Brake pads
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Brake rotors
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Brake hardware/slide service (often needed in harsh conditions)
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Parking brake adjustments (vehicle dependent)
Why not covered: Brakes are consumables—driving style, load, and conditions affect lifespan.
3) Tires & Wheel Services
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Tire wear and punctures
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Tire balancing
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Wheel alignment
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Bent wheels from potholes/impacts
Why not covered: Tire wear is considered normal use, and road hazards/impacts aren’t defects.
4) Batteries (Often Limited or Prorated)
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Weak battery performance
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Corrosion at terminals
Why not covered: Batteries wear with time, temperature swings, and short trips. Some warranties offer limited coverage or prorated replacement.
5) Fluids and Scheduled Flushes
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Coolant service
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Brake fluid service
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Transmission/driveline fluid service (as recommended)
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Power steering fluid service (vehicle dependent)
Why not covered: Fluids degrade over time and are part of preventive maintenance.
6) Wiper Blades, Bulbs, Fuses & Small Electrical Items
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Wiper blades
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Light bulbs
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Fuses
Why not covered: Wear items and environmental exposure.
7) Belts, Hoses & General Rubber Wear
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Serpentine belts
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Coolant hoses
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Vacuum lines and aging rubber components
Why not covered: Rubber ages from heat cycles and time.
8) Spark Plugs & Ignition Maintenance (Often Scheduled)
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Spark plugs (common interval maintenance)
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Sometimes coils if damage is related to maintenance neglect
Why not covered: Spark plugs are scheduled maintenance on many vehicles.
9) Suspension & Steering Wear Items (Varies)
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Ball joints, tie rods, bushings
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Shocks/struts (often wear-related)
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Wheel bearings (depends—sometimes defect, often wear/impact related)
Why not covered: Many of these are wear/road-impact related, especially with potholes and rough roads.
“Not Covered” Doesn’t Mean “Not Important”
Skipping maintenance is one of the fastest ways to turn small costs into big repairs. For example:
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Low oil → engine wear or failure
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Low coolant / leak → overheating and major engine damage
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Worn brakes → rotor/caliper damage
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Ignored tire wear/alignment → rapid tire replacement and poor handling
Regular maintenance is basically “cheap insurance” against expensive breakdowns.
How to Protect Yourself From Surprise Repair Bills
Keep a simple maintenance rhythm
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Oil service on schedule
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Seasonal inspections (spring/fall)
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Brake and tire checks regularly
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Fluid condition checks (especially coolant and brake fluid)
Save maintenance records
Even if you don’t service at the dealership, keeping records helps show the vehicle was maintained properly.
Fix small leaks early
Oil/coolant seepage is often manageable when caught early—and expensive when ignored.
Quick Checklist: Maintenance Commonly Not Covered
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✅ Oil + filter
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✅ Air/cabin filters
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✅ Brake pads/rotors
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✅ Tires + alignment/balance
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✅ Battery (often limited/prorated)
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✅ Wipers and bulbs
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✅ Fluids (coolant, brake fluid, driveline/transmission as recommended)
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✅ Belts and hoses
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✅ Spark plugs (scheduled)
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✅ Many suspension/steering wear parts
FAQ
Does doing maintenance outside the dealership void my warranty?
Usually, no—as long as maintenance is done properly and you keep records. Use the correct oil/fluids/spec parts and document the service.
Why do warranties call brakes and tires “wear and tear”?
Because lifespan depends heavily on driving habits, load, road conditions, and climate—not a manufacturing defect.
What’s the biggest “maintenance” item people forget?
Brake fluid and coolant condition checks are commonly missed, and both matter a lot for long-term reliability.
Want a Clear Maintenance Plan for Your Vehicle?
If you tell me your year/make/model + mileage, I’ll create a simple, customer-friendly maintenance plan (what to do now, what to plan for later, and what’s usually considered wear-and-tear).
Call Heritage AutoPro & Tire: 403-258-3030
Heritage Dr SE. Location:
8304 Fairmount Dr, SE
Calgary, AB, T2H 0Y8
At Heritage Auto & Tire we install quality NAPA replacement parts.
