Does Changing Exhaust Void Warranty? 

Touching the catalytic converter on your vehicle would void the warranty, but what about changing the exhaust? Does changing exhaust void warranty?

No, changing your car exhaust won’t void your warranty. Actually installing aftermarket tune-ups on your car won’t make the warranty coverage invalid, but then, some conditions apply.

The exhaust system in vehicles plays a crucial role in the combustion process, and also contributes to less noise while driving. For pretty many reasons, some drivers prefer to change the stock exhaust that comes with their cars or install some aftermarket exhaust components (e.g. Mufflers and Resomers) to improve engine performance.

This article explains how changing or modifying your car’s exhaust may, or may not invalidate the warranty coverage on your new car.

Does Changing Exhaust Void Warranty?

According to the Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act:

For US residents, your warrant coverage becomes invalid if an aftermarket accessory installed on your vehicle is the cause of the recent issues you’re facing with the car.

To that end, changing your exhaust won’t void the factory or dealership warranty on your car unless the new exhaust is the cause of the indicated issue. In practicality, here is what we mean:

You changed the stock exhaust that came with your car to install a custom-made model that promises to improve your car engine’s performance. Some months after, you notice that your engine overheats, and when traced, the overheating is being caused by a failing catalyst converter. Now, here’s what happens.

When you take the car for warranty repairs, the dealership would inspect the cause of the catalytic converter failure; if the failure is due to the newly installed exhaust pipe, your warranty claim won’t be granted, you’d have to pay for the repairs.

Nevertheless, the dealership is obliged to prove the relationship between the CAT failure and the aftermarket exhaust you installed.

On the contrary, if the CAT failure is not related to the changed exhaust, your warranty is yet valid, and the dealership has to make the repair in line with the warranty coverage policies.

Well, the Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act is only effective in the US; if you live outside the US, it is important to ask your dealership what is included, and what’s not included in the warranty on your new car.

Regardless, of your location, a warranty issuer is obliged to explain its coverage terms and policies to its customers. At the expiration of your car’s original warranty from the manufacturer, you can always purchase extended warranties to minimize the cost of repairs and maintenance.

See Also: What Voids Mercedes Benz Warranty?

What More?

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty act makes it impossible for dealerships to deny you OE warranty repairs just because you installed an aftermarket accessory.

So, does changing exhaust void warranty? No, it doesn’t – until the dealership is able to prove that the new exhaust is responsible for the issues with your car.

Notwithstanding, endeavor to go through the warranty booklet and ask your warranty issuer to explain any policy you don’t seem to understand. One thing that can automatically void your warranty is using the wrong motor oil for your car engine.