Warranty Can be Key in New Car Purchase
(Check out how Mazda stacks up to others)

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 5, 1998--Consumers in the market for a new car should know the warranty coverage of the vehicle they are considering before buying it, according to AAA.

"The typical owner's warranty book sits in the glove box until there is a problem with the car," said Dave Van Sickle, director of AAA Automotive and Consumer Information. "By then it may be too late to avoid some of the common warranty pitfalls."

The most important things to understand in a warranty are what is covered, for how long and what the owner's responsibilities are, Van Sickle pointed out. For example, some warranties have separate mileage and time requirements for certain parts of the vehicle.

The vehicle may have a "bumper-to-bumper" or full warranty for one time period, while the power train of the vehicle may be covered longer and the rust-through protection may extend even further.

If there is a problem with a vehicle that should be covered by warranty, it is important to have the work done by an authorized dealer. It is also important that scheduled maintenance, such as fluid and filter changes, is completed in a timely manner and that all records are kept. Failure to perform scheduled maintenance can void the warranty.

"Some manufacturers include free scheduled maintenance with the warranty, but in most cases it is the responsibility of the owner," said Van Sickle.

Adding aftermarket products to a vehicle usually won't affect the warranty, but it is still important to check the warranty manual closely before making any changes to a vehicle. For example, purchasing additional rust proofing can void or limit the manufacturers' rust-through coverage.

"The key to a satisfactory relationship with a new vehicle is to avoid surprises," said Van Sickle. "Knowing all about your warranty before a problem occurs is a key part of this satisfaction."

Check out how Mazda products compare to other autos below.