Paul M. wrote in to ASK MYCARLADY the very first ASK MYCARLADY car-auto-related question after a rather unpleasant experience at the local dealership. Q1. Does SERVICING my car elsewhere void my warranty? – in other words, does he have to keep going to the dealer to get his car’s routine maintance done to keep his factory warranty effective? A1. NO. It is illegal for any car company to insist you ONLY do your business with them. As long as you have a PRINTED record from a licensed mechanic/repair shop, you have proof you are maintaining the vehicle within the manufacturer’s recommended service schedule. Make sure the printed record includes the following: Date, mileage, parts and service done including the parts replaced (ie: oil filter, gasket, # of quarts of oil, type of oil.)  Keep all your receipts in a safe place at HOME or OFFICE, (not the glove box).  Mark your owners book. If or when a warranty issue comes about, you will have the records to prove you kept up with all the factory RECOMMENDED service requirements. FYI: I do recommend visiting the dealership once a year to make sure your car is up to date on any computer updates, technical service bulletins or recall campaigns, as these are not always advertised or announced to the public/owners. Great question! Keep them coming! – Sarah Lee aka: MYCARLADY ———————————————————————————————- If you need any other car buying, selling, trading or financing assistance on any new or used vehicle,  please do not hesitate to email me at sarahlee@mycarlady.com,mvides422@gmail.com,carlady@cox.net  or give me a call; 702-521-7546  I’m here to help you with any of your automotive needs and advice is free.  Sarah Lee is an automotive executive with 20+ years of experience. She writes about Cars, and is a staunch consumer advocate on car related subjects. Her company: MY CARLADY is a car buyer’s service committed to getting you the best deal on your next new or pre-owned vehicle. You can reach her at CAR DEALS Buying & Selling Automobile Blogs - Blog Catalog Blog Directory Follow mycarlady on Twitter]]>