Query about car audio system selection

patkim · 4th August 2008, 00:11

The manual of my Maruti Alto specifies some specific car audio system models as part of accessories. It is necessary that one should only go for one of those specified models or even any other models/brand can also be fitted as Car Audio system.
Thanks,

DerAlte · 4th August 2008, 09:41

There is no reason why other models/brands cannot be fitted. The word should be "recommends", not "specifies". While they may have a preference for certain brands as a part of their MGS program, there is no law or contractual obligation against fitting other brands.

There is a small link, though. MUL provides most of the standard wiring as a part of the harness of the car. An adapter has to be used to adapt the standard wire terminations to the specific HU brand/model. Most neighborhood installers, when installing ICE, tend to use the "cut / strip / twist / insulate" method instead of using the adapter, which may compromise the insulation integrity and cause problems.

patkim · 5th August 2008, 21:44

Thanks for your response.
I come across this statement in the warranty Limitations clause in the Alto manual that, the warranty shall not apply to ‘any vehicle on which parts or accessories not approved by Maruti have been used.
Am not sure how to interpret this..your expert opinion would be great.
Thanks.

DerAlte · 6th August 2008, 13:07

For that you would need to consult a legal resource, not "expert opinion". The warranty clause is generic and open-ended, though!

The open questions are:
* For how long is the warranty valid?
* Will a user installed accessory not contribute to problems as long as the warranty is not valid?
* Will MUL supply a list of "accessories approved by Maruti" (outside of MGS, which is not fair commercial practice)?
* Which parts of the car are covered by the "warranty"?
* Which circumstances lead a customer resort to claiming "warranty"?
* What happens when a Maruti-approved "accessory" component falls far below your expectation of quality and functionality?
* Will wiring ICE components to the defined interface points (+12V after fuse, ground, antenna, speakers, etc. etc.) of the Maruti-supplied wiring harness cause malfunction of the car?

If the wiring is done by a person not having proper knowledge of such interface points, there is always a likelihood of problems of all kinds, whether the MUL warranty is valid or not. It will be interesting to know MUL's stand if a MUL-approved accessory malfunctions to cause functional failure of the car - surely they will point you to the accessory supplier instead of MUL taking responsibility of the warranty.

4th August 2008, 00:11	#1
patkim Newbie Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: NA Posts: 17 Thanked: 0 Times	Query about car audio system selection The manual of my Maruti Alto specifies some specific car audio system models as part of accessories. It is necessary that one should only go for one of those specified models or even any other models/brand can also be fitted as Car Audio system. Thanks,
	() Thanks

4th August 2008, 09:41	#2
DerAlte Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 8,027 Thanked: 2,920 Times	There is no reason why other models/brands cannot be fitted. The word should be "recommends", not "specifies". While they may have a preference for certain brands as a part of their MGS program, there is no law or contractual obligation against fitting other brands. There is a small link, though. MUL provides most of the standard wiring as a part of the harness of the car. An adapter has to be used to adapt the standard wire terminations to the specific HU brand/model. Most neighborhood installers, when installing ICE, tend to use the "cut / strip / twist / insulate" method instead of using the adapter, which may compromise the insulation integrity and cause problems.
	() Thanks

5th August 2008, 21:44	#3
patkim Newbie Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: NA Posts: 17 Thanked: 0 Times	Thanks for your response. I come across this statement in the warranty Limitations clause in the Alto manual that, the warranty shall not apply to ‘any vehicle on which parts or accessories not approved by Maruti have been used. Am not sure how to interpret this..your expert opinion would be great. Thanks.
	() Thanks

6th August 2008, 13:07	#4
DerAlte Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 8,027 Thanked: 2,920 Times	For that you would need to consult a legal resource, not "expert opinion". The warranty clause is generic and open-ended, though! The open questions are: * For how long is the warranty valid? * Will a user installed accessory not contribute to problems as long as the warranty is not valid? * Will MUL supply a list of "accessories approved by Maruti" (outside of MGS, which is not fair commercial practice)? * Which parts of the car are covered by the "warranty"? * Which circumstances lead a customer resort to claiming "warranty"? * What happens when a Maruti-approved "accessory" component falls far below your expectation of quality and functionality? * Will wiring ICE components to the defined interface points (+12V after fuse, ground, antenna, speakers, etc. etc.) of the Maruti-supplied wiring harness cause malfunction of the car? If the wiring is done by a person not having proper knowledge of such interface points, there is always a likelihood of problems of all kinds, whether the MUL warranty is valid or not. It will be interesting to know MUL's stand if a MUL-approved accessory malfunctions to cause functional failure of the car - surely they will point you to the accessory supplier instead of MUL taking responsibility of the warranty.
	() Thanks