Aftermarket brand oil voiding the warranty?

jhortonvt · Jul 25, 2005

I was telling the parts manager at my dealer that I was going to put Amsoil synthetic in my John Deere 4310, and she gave me the old line that it would void the warranty if you didn't use John Deere oil.

Now I know that can't be true or we'd have to use Chevrolet oil in our chevy's and Kubota oil in our Kubota's and so on.

I also vaguely remember reading here that if a manufacturer requires you use their oil then they must provide it at no cost.

Please tell me she's wrong. And also if anyone has any proof she's wrong (literture, manufacturer website etc.) I'd love to know.

TractorLegend · Jul 25, 2005

You are correct--Its the Magnuson-Moss warranty act that prevents this deceitful practice. Does Deere have a refinery somewhere???

GerardC · Jul 26, 2005

And also if anyone has any proof she's wrong 

I'd make HER prove to me that any other oil (with the same rating of course) would do harm. Sounds like commission to me.

MikePA · Jul 26, 2005

Your Owner's Manual indicates the API rating the oil needs to meet. That's all the proof you need.

gsxr1100 · Jul 26, 2005

Your dealer is wrong.

All the oil need to meet is that is pass what API spec, that is all. Example, if you need an SG oil and the oil you select passes SG ratings, you are fine. (as MikePA stated).

I would tell the dealer to show me in writting where it states this and supply me a copy......he will not do anything.

sneaky_pete · Jul 26, 2005

( I was telling the parts manager at my dealer that I was going to put Amsoil synthetic in my John Deere 4310, and she gave me the old line that it would void the warranty if you didn't use John Deere oil....

Please tell me she's wrong. And also if anyone has any proof she's wrong (literture, manufacturer website etc.) I'd love to know. )

As TractorLegend says, she's not only wrong, she's breaking a federal law. I've posted the relevant quotes from the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975 enough times that I'm tired of doing it and others probably are too. Do a Google or Dogpile search on "Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act" and you will get a few thousand links to it and explanations of it. Bottom line is, they can't require you to use specific brand-name oil and parts unless they provide them to you at no cost.

Charolais · Jul 26, 2005

Get her to put that in writing and sign it. You could have free JD oil as long as you want it. Or if you get it in writing send a copy to Amsoil. The ball will get rolling then. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Had a Buick dealer try that crap with my Dad. I got on the phone with him and he backed down real quick.

Let us know how this pans out. Please.

SkyPup · Jul 26, 2005

She is wrong.... /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

jhortonvt · Jul 26, 2005

You guys are awesome! Ask a question and the facts start pouring in.

The Magnuson-Moss warranty act was exactly what I was trying to remember.

When I was talking to her about this issue, I even mentioned that the oil I was going to use met the specs of John Deere. It even listed the JD spec 'code' of JDM 20 (or something like that). But that didn't help. And I even tried to tell her about them supplying the product if it is required under warranty, and she said they do (she didn't understand it had to be free of charge).

That's what's so frustrating about this type of stuff. I hate having to prove people wrong, especially when these people are supposed to know more about their product than anyone. Yet I have owned this tractor for only 8 months and this is not the first time this type of thing has happened. And in this case we aren't talking about something that is specific to my tractor, we're talking about something that would relate to EVERY tractor they sell. That tells me I'm being lied to but I have more respect for my dealer than that.