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Victory For Cosumers

A Victory for Consumers: Freedom AMSOIL continues to fight the false narrative advanced by some original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). You must use the OEM brand of parts and lubricants in your vehicles and equipment to maintain your new vehicle warranties. Fortunately, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is on our side.

In April, the FTC issued a warning to Hyundai Motor America. On the Hyundai website, Hyundai suggests that consumers must use only Hyundai brand parts to maintain their vehicle warranty: "The use of Hyundai Genuine Parts is required to keep your Hyundai manufacturer's warranties and any extended warranties intact." The FTC expressed concerns about Hyundai's practices, saying... "...warranty language that implies to a consumer, acting reasonably under the circumstances that warranty coverage requires the consumer to purchase an article or service identified by brand, trade or corporate name is similarly deceptive and prohibited." In other words, consumers have the freedom to choose the brand of parts and lubricants they deem best for their vehicles and equipment.

The OEM can not threaten warranty denial should you decide not to use its brand of parts and oils. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act protects you in cases like this. The Warranty Act as stated by the FTC in its letter... "The Warranty Act prohibits The warrantor of consumer products, costing more than five dollars, from conditioning their written warranties. The consumer's forced use of any article or service identified by brand, trade, or corporate name unless provided to the consumer for free; or the Commission has granted the warrantor a waiver." The FTC placed Hyundai Motor America on notice and said it would review its written warranty and promotional materials after 30 days.

New Vehicle Lubrication WarrantyAs reported by Automotive News, Hyundai's statement that drew the FTC's scrutiny answered a question on its FAQ page. Since the FTC's letter was made public, Hyundai has changed the information in question to say, in part, "... the use of aftermarket parts does not automatically void any applicable Hyundai manufacturer warranties..." The FTC's action against Hyundai is a victory for consumer freedom, as we remind consumers at amsoil.com/freedom. It is illegal to tie warranty coverage to whichever brand of parts or lubricants you use. Manufacturers that do so must provide the parts or lubricants free of charge.

You do have the freedom to choose how you protect your vehicles and equipment, including the use of products formulated for extended drain intervals. Manufacturers can not deny warranty coverage without showing the aftermarket part or lubricant caused a failure. Don't let the OEM coerce you or your customers into buying its brand of parts or oils. As clearly stated by the FTC, it is illegal. We stand behind our products and the people who use them. If a dealer or OEM employee says, "You must use the OEM brand of lubricants to maintain your new vehicle or the warranty will void," You may tell you, the extended oil change will void your warranty contact us at 715-399-TECH or tech@amsoil.com, and we'll set the record straight.