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When you have a car warranty, many expensive repair bills will be covered in the case of mechanical problems or breakdowns. No matter what type of warranty you own, some of your vehicle’s most important components will be protected – but does a car warranty cover routine maintenance as well?

In this article, we’ll explain what’s covered under car warranties, how to have your car serviced under warranty, and the best car warranty companies for routine maintenance. These recommendations are based on our review of the best extended car warranty companies in the industry.

Whether car maintenance is covered or not, vehicle service contracts can give you peace of mind once your factory warranty expires. It’s a good idea to get quotes from providers to see which coverage plan will work best for you.

In most cases, a used car warranty does not cover routine maintenance such as oil changes, tire rotations or replacements, and filter changes. Unless a contract specifically says otherwise, you are responsible for keeping up with scheduled maintenance. You’ll need to have your car serviced regularly to keep the warranty from being voided.

What a car warranty covers can vary greatly, but most cover repairs for a certain period of time or number of miles. A manufacturer’s warranty on a new car will cover a wide range of parts from defects caused by mechanical failures or problems due to poor workmanship, and the term is often 3 years/36,000 miles.

For an aftermarket auto warranty, otherwise known as an extended warranty, coverage can be fairly similar to that of a new vehicle limited warranty. Bumper-to-bumper coverage takes care of nearly every major component of your vehicle, while powertrain coverage protects the bare minimum.

In the chart below, we list the warranty terms for popular car manufacturers and mention whether they offer maintenance coverage under separate plans.

Most car warranties cover certain components but exclude others. After all, your powertrain, corrosion, emissions, and new car warranties don’t cover every car part. Generally, most vehicle service contracts will not cover the following items:

If your car is under warranty and you’re performing routine maintenance yourself rather than taking it to a dealership or repair shop, make sure you’re using the proper oil and fluids so you don’t damage the engine or other major powertrain parts.

To cover routine maintenance for a car that’s under warranty, take the following steps to keep your vehicle in good shape:

Even though most car warranties don’t cover routine maintenance, there are a few third-party warranty companies that offer maintenance plans for things such as oil changes, brake pad replacements, and tire coverage. Endurance, Protect My Car, Olive, and ForeverCar are a few of the best warranty companies for dealing with routine maintenance needs.

We rated some of the industry’s best used car warranty companies based on factors including coverage, warranty costs, transparency, and customer service. To see how these companies compare, check out our reviews of each provider below.

Endurance is one of the largest third-party extended warranty companies in the market, and it offers extensive car warranty protection through six coverage levels. Endurance warranty reviews reflect the provider’s positive service reputation, as does the company’s gold-level certification from the Vehicle Protection Association.

The EnduranceAdvantage™ plan includes coverage for mechanical breakdowns and maintenance through three levels: Preferred, Plus, and Prime. You can save hundreds on oil changes, engine checks, and brake pad replacements, as well as get access to perks such as roadside assistance, towing, and rental car reimbursement.

Be aware that Endurance does not offer vehicle service contracts in California.

Reputable extended car warranty company that offers six levels of coverage and has excellent customer reviews. It is our choice for Best Coverage and our top overall pick for extended warranty providers.

Protect My Car reviews show that it’s a popular choice for drivers who want car warranties that cover routine maintenance. Offering comprehensive extended warranty coverage at an affordable price point, the company holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and a 4.6-star average rating out of 5.0 from customers on Trustpilot.

The company’s Ambassador Maintenance Plans offer discounts of up to 75 percent on oil changes and tire rotations, as well as repairs for timing chains, air conditioning and heating systems, and electrical components. On top of this, Protect My Car’s Ambassador plans include perks such as rental car benefits, 24/7 roadside assistance, and a 30-day money back guarantee.

Because of its available discounts on repairs and maintenance for older vehicles, Protect My Car was our pick for Best Maintenance Plans.

Olive car warranties don’t cover routine maintenance, but the provider is still worth consideration for its affordable extended warranty plans, which make it easy to cover routine maintenance costs on your own.

Olive car warranty reviews reveal satisfaction with the company’s rates and online model, which helps keep prices among the industry’s lowest. With money left over due to Olive’s competitive pricing, motorists could have more to put toward routine maintenance.

ForeverCar holds a stellar industry reputation and a great selection of coverage options. The company has four vehicle protection plans that range from a nearly complete bumper-to-bumper new car warranty down to a basic powertrain warranty.

With ForeverCar’s Platinum Plus warranty plan, repair costs are covered for both mechanical breakdowns and wear-and-tear items such as windshield wipers, fuses, light bulbs, and brake pads. Deductibles range from $0 to $500, and you have the freedom to choose your preferred repair facility for all covered car repairs.

No, you don’t have to pay for services apart from your deductible if the repair or replacement is covered under warranty. If you have a limited or exclusionary warranty, check what it covers before you take your vehicle to the repair shop.

Extended warranties and mechanical breakdown car insurance typically don’t include preventive maintenance such as oil changes or replacements for wear-and-tear items such as tires and batteries. Warranty companies such as Endurance, Protect My Car, and ForeverCar offer coverage for routine maintenance, but you’ll have to pay more.

You can service your own car and still keep your warranty. Be careful while doing so since you could void the warranty if you cause damage by servicing your vehicle incorrectly.

Having your vehicle serviced at a car dealership can be convenient, but you don’t have to get it done there. The technicians usually perform fast service, but it tends to cost more than at most licensed repair shops.

There are a few third-party extended warranty companies that include maintenance coverage with certain plans. For example, Protect My Car’s Ambassador Maintenance Plans include coverage for oil changes and tire rotations, and the EnduranceAdvantage plan combines breakdown protection with your routine maintenance needs.

In an effort to provide accurate and unbiased information to consumers, our expert review team collects data from dozens of extended auto warranty companies to formulate rankings of the best providers. Companies receive a score in each of the following categories, as well as an overall weighted score out of 5.0 stars.

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