UNDERSTANDING WARRANTIES

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Against that time (if ever that time come) When I shall see thee frown on my defects, When as thy love hath cast his utmost sum, Call'd to that audit by advis'd respects; Against that time when thou shah strangelypass, And scarcely greet me with that sun, thine eye, When love converted from the thing it was Shall reasons find of settled gravity: Against that time do I insconce me here

Within the knowledge of mine own desert, And this my hand against myself uprear, To guard the lawful reasons on thy part. To leave poor me thou hast the strength of laws, Since why to love I can allege no cause.

William Shakespeare
49th Sonnet

Like falling in love, picking out a new car isn't a completely rational act. Dewy eyes take over, and before we know it we're rolling along in bliss. Only after the deals are sealed do the realities—be they uncapped toothpaste tubes or frozen transmissions—show themselves.

A warranty is your contract with the manufacturer of your car—through its representative, the dealer—that any defects will be corrected at the manufacturer's expense. Sadly, a thorough reading of a warranty prior to purchase is just about as rare as a well thought-out prenuptial agreement. And like marriages, not all warranties are created equal.

The Honeymoon

All major manufacturers in the U.S. offer at least a 12-month basic warranty on new cars, during which time the entire car (save the tires, which are warranted by their manufacturer) is covered against defects in materials or workmanship. However, most of these plans are tied to a 12,000-mile, "whichever comes first" clause that may significantly shorten the actual warranty period.

Most mechanical problems occur as a function of the number of miles driven—but not all of them. For example, a busy driver who buys new wheels in the fall might roll right through the warranty mileage before ever turning on the air conditioner. For that reason, be sure to get at least a 12-month, unlimited-mileage air conditioner warranty.

Some other things to look for in the wording of a basic warranty include provisions to cover the cost of towing, the date the warranty takes effect (important if you buy a demonstrator), warranty extensions and prorations on certain components such as batteries, and whether remanufactured (rather than new) parts may be used.

Several manufacturers offer basic warranties longer than 12 months, some of which also allow unlimited mileage during the period. Remember, these are distinct from "powertrain warranties" or extended service contracts. Rather than limiting coverage to a few driveline components and charging deductible amounts, the long-term basic warranty keeps an umbrella over your head for most failures. Components—such as an alternator, starter, battery or carburetor—are much more likely to fail in the early years than is an engine crankshaft or a transmission, the sorts of parts covered by power train warranties. A 24- or 36-month basic warranty could end up saving you hundreds of dollars in repairs.

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