[txfeinbergs]

What are you guys doing for extended warranties?

The dealer I bought my Trailhawk from sold me an extended warranty that was from a less than stellar company I found out after the fact. I sent this email to him:

-----à

XXX, I am second guessing this extended warranty after doing some research into it. The below site is a 3rd party independent reviewer of extended warranty coverage. The first listed company is EFG/MAP.

http://www.consumerautomotiveresearch.com/resourcesp2.htm

I also did further research and found plenty of consumer complaints:

http://www.trademarkia.com/map-motorist-assistance-plan-85387285.html

(there are many more on other sites, but you get the point).


The above is not pretty. The fine print on the contract is also not pretty. Before they will authorize any repair, I have to provide a complete history of all of my services that were done. I then have to wait for them to approve the repair while I am sitting stranded at a repair shop. No idea how many days that will be if they decide to drag their feet.

---------------->
Anyway, to make a long story short, the dealer was very cooperative in cancelling the contract and instead getting me a Mopar/Chrysler Maximum Care policy. It cost about $1000 more, but without a doubt appears to be worth it based on web searches (I really could not find any negative reviews of it online) and they really don't dispute maintenance records. If the part if covered, they replace it.

 

[Snohawk]

I was a Auto technician for 20 years. The last 8 were as a dealership transmission technician. I can tell you from experience. I was on the other end of those aftermarket warranties. Do not buy any extended warranty unless it is from the original manufacturer or you will be very sorry if you ever need it! I give this same advice to all my family members and relatives. The dealer makes more profit on the aftermarket ones. But their coverage is nothing but a big hassle. You did the right thing. And I am surprised you were able to get out from under it.

 

[Gurgle]

Snohawk, do you recommend extended warranties? I had one on my first Laredo and not on my second. Neither required any serious warranty work and I probably would have save significant $ by not having on the first one. But, man oh man, did it ever make a difference in how I was treated at the dealer garage.

Or was the difference partly because I bought the second one at another place, a place with a really bad reputation up here, that I found to be well deserved, and I took the second one instead to my place of purchase for the first one, more than twice as far away?

 

[Snohawk]

We bought the Chrysler Bumper to Bumper Lifetime Warranty on Our Trailhawk. Even though I know how to fix things. There are a lot of very expensive parts on vehicles now days. Besides I do not feel like working on vehicles any more at this stage of my life. Maintenance, Brakes and suspension no problem. The rest I would rather let somebody else deal with. Just wanted a piece of mind with all the new technology on this vehicle.

 

[ummie4]

Warranties can be added anytime before the 3 yr 36,000 mile base warranty expires right? I have been buying my warranties right before the standard one expires on my Nissans. Is it the same way with Chrysler?

 

[txfeinbergs]

Warranties can be added anytime before the 3 yr 36,000 mile base warranty expires right? I have been buying my warranties right before the standard one expires on my Nissans. Is it the same way with Chrysler?

It is the same way yes, but I think you will find the cost increases a bit (not much) the longer you wait (even within the first 3 years, 36K miles). You can order the Mopar Chrysler Extended warranty directly online.

I went with the extended warranty because I do plan on actually taking my TrailHawk off road. A yearly trip to Colorado is in the plans. I already have bought a few trail books. I will be trying some beginner and medium level trails. I am not going anywhere near the advanced trails! (I don't think my wife would want to be in the car) and I don't really want to test the limits of my expensive vehicle (or my driving ability).

 

[JonJones]

I skipped the warranties on the grounds that I've never used a single warranty on anything that I've purchased, ever.

I might regret it, but we'll see.

 

[Xphyle]

I have never, and will never purchase an extended warranty on anything. My Dodge Journey had a 5 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty. In those 100,000 miles, I only needed to change the oil, brakes and tires. At 98,000, my water pump died. My dealer fixed it free of charge because it's included in the powertrain warranty.

 

[txfeinbergs]

I have never, and will never purchase an extended warranty on anything. My Dodge Journey had a 5 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty. In those 100,000 miles, I only needed to change the oil, brakes and tires. At 98,000, my water pump died. My dealer fixed it free of charge because it's included in the powertrain warranty.

I had a bit of a different experience. My Mits Lancer developed a leak in the radiator. Had to replace the entire thing. The warranty paid for itself and more that day. It really just depends on your luck to an extent. But to me, the piece of mind of not having unexpected expenses is nice. (well, that and my experience with Chrysler products 8 years and older was not stellar in terms of quality/longevity). It is what turned me off of Jeeps for about 8 years.

 

[Erie-Eyes]

I tend to keep my vehicles a long time and have therefor always purchased the extended warranty from Chrysler and consider it a good investment. The electronics/wiring in todays vehicles and relative replacement parts tend to be very pricy and one hit will usually pay for itself.

Snohawk - as an experienced transmission technician, do you have any suggestions on how many O/D (7th, 8th, or 9th) gears should be locked out when towing a 3500 pound boat? I only had 1 to lock out with my Liberty - thanks.

 

[Snohawk]

That would depend on the terrain. I think the advice you were given in an earlier post. Cherokee Towing Question? Was good advice. Taking your older Jeep out of overdrive also stopped your torque converter clutch from applying. Based upon what was written in the last post that would be true for the new Cherokee as well. That would help prevent the engine from bogging down. The bogging would cause even more shifting. The torque converter clutch applies when the engine is warm and at cruising speeds. It mechanically connects the engine to the trans. (Otherwise an automatic transmission vehicle is being driven by fluid) Dropping the engine RPM down 300 to 500 RPM's. This is to save fuel and wear and tear on the vehicle. It unlocks whenever you step on the brake pedal so the engine does not stall. Sure would love to get my hands on a service manual for this vehicle. But they do not seem to be available yet?

 

[Erie-Eyes]

Snohawk - thanks for the confirmation. I'll watch the tach closely and adjust accordingly.

 

[Snohawk]

Erie Eyes: I give up on answering your question correctly. My wife brought the Trailhawk home today after her weekend retreat. I scoured the owners manual for info on towing. Jeep does not talk about doing anything different with the transmission when towing. All they mention is the Towing capacity and tongue weight. I quit working on vehicles in 1998. They only had 4 speed automatics then. So I guess you'll have to experiment.

 

[Erie-Eyes]

Snohawk - thanks for your help. I had the same problem in 2002 when I purchased my Liberty. Could find nothing in the owners manuel about towing procedures - contacted Chrysler and they referred me to the owners manuel - LOL. Later I was discussing this problem with my dealer service manager and he was not aware of proper procedure either. One of their senior mechanics overheard our conversation and came over to advise the correct procedure (lock out O/D) to follow - we all learned something that day and in 12 years of towing I have never had a transmission problem.

 

[Tyler-98-W68]

If the warranty is through Chrysler then I can't see it being a waste of money. Unfortunately for us Canadians, the lifetime powertrain warranty offered on other jeeps isn't available to us, we get the 3 yr 60k bumper to bumper and 5 yr 100k powertrain. For my wifes jeep bought another year and 20000kms of the bumper to bumper, was 875$

 

[superchris09]

I know the standard warranty is 3 year and 60,000km (In Canada) and the Powertrain is 5 year and 100,000km. Does any one know if the 4 wheel drive system is considered powertrain? Or is powertrain just Engine & Transmission?

 

[SoCal Bob]

We bought the Chrysler Bumper to Bumper Lifetime Warranty on Our Trailhawk. Even though I know how to fix things. There are a lot of very expensive parts on vehicles now days. Besides I do not feel like working on vehicles any more at this stage of my life. Maintenance, Brakes and suspension no problem. The rest I would rather let somebody else deal with. Just wanted a piece of mind with all the new technology on this vehicle.

I was reluctant to purchase the Chrysler Ext Warr but since this is a brand new model year with a ton of newer kind of tech there is a peace of mind knowing if anything went wrong in the next, who knows how many years of ownership, they would be obligated to fix it.

One crucial deciding factor was my homework shopping for the best price of the warranty. I came across an internet site that advertised Factory warrantys for discount......and the company was actually an authorized Chrysler dealership! I printed the discount quote the day I picked up the TH from my local dealer, presented it to the sales manager and he matched the discounted price saving me $1200! That's not chicken feed so do your homework (if you live in the states).

Bob

 

[Bob]

Bob,

What was that website, if you don't mind?

 

[SoCal Bob]

Bob,

What was that website, if you don't mind?

http://www.chryslerwarrantys.com

 

[Ausgti]

Was offered the Extended Warranty last night, I declined initially, but depending on how long I am planning on keeping the car, I might extended the bumper to bumper up to the powertrain warranty, which in Canada is 5y/100k