Does alloy wheel change void the warranty on a new car?

FlyingSpur · 15th October 2009, 10:48

I'd like some help in this regard, folks. For my i20, I'm planning to go for the 5 year / 100,000km warranty, which is about 15k extra. Either ways, even if I dont opt for it, I have the standard 2 year warranty on the car.

The stock rims are 14" and stock tyres are tubeless Apollo Acelere 185/65 R14 AFAIK. Now I'm planning to keep the stock tyres and change just the rims to another 14" design, because I hate the stock alloys I'm getting with the Asta. I spoke to Hyundai West region technical support over the phone a couple of days, and highlighted all the facts, that I'm sticking with the stock tyres and only changing the rims, sticking to the same size and not upszing etc. Still they claim that the warranty on suspension, tyres and steering will be voided. It's only if I purchase "approved" rims from dealerships or Hyundai will my warranty stay valid.

Sounds like a scam to me. Dealers charge like crazy for alloy wheels. Any help you guys could offer in this regard? Has anyone had their warranty honoured even after changing alloys?

Appreciate your inputs. Thanks in advance.

MalluDude · 15th October 2009, 10:57

That's because the showroom guys want to book good margins on their alloys stock. I've been using Plati alloys in my Accent and no Hyundai dealer has objected to it on the grounds that it'll null my warranty.

You talked to the technical support person, right? Did you talk to the showroom people? What did they say?

beejay · 15th October 2009, 11:02

flyingspur. I was told the same when I had wanted to fix aftermarket alloys for my Xylo.

I dont know how far this is true. Maybe others can help.

foby.sebastian · 15th October 2009, 11:28

How about Swift , we cahanged teh stock wheel rims to HRS alloys with the same tyres (JK) , but we never thought of the warranty factor , oops !!

Now what will happen ?

kutlee · 15th October 2009, 11:34

warranty will be void for the suspension for upgrades. quite logical i guess.

Nikhilb2008 · 15th October 2009, 11:55

If you are ready to pay 15k extra for the extended warranty, wont it make sense to pay a few thousand more to buy alloys from the showroom itself?

I know it is unfair, but until and unless someone takes the company to court, there is nothing you can do. It is the company policy and if you dont agree with it, no one is forcing you to buy the car.

Epic · 15th October 2009, 12:24

Hi guys,

Well as all of you have all rightly said that eventhough some of you have changed/upgraded to after market alloys, no showroom has brought out the topic of voiding suspension warranty and they never will until you have a suspension issue and decide to have the same repaired under warranty. That is the time they immediately blame the after market alloys fitted whether they are as per specifications of the manufacturer or not.

aka_iitd · 15th October 2009, 12:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikhilb2008

If you are ready to pay 15k extra for the extended warranty, wont it make sense to pay a few thousand more to buy alloys from the showroom itself?

I know it is unfair, but until and unless someone takes the company to court, there is nothing you can do. It is the company policy and if you dont agree with it, no one is forcing you to buy the car.

Even he buys from showroom will Hyundai gives in written that warranty will not be void. I doubt

CrackedHead · 15th October 2009, 12:34

IMO - Suspension related warranty claims are rarely honored as it falls under regular "wear and tear".

If you have room to store the stock alloys then just go for the new ones from wherever you please and hang on to the stock alloys. Fit back the stock ones if you ever have a problem with the suspension and need to go claim warranty.

jacksons · 15th October 2009, 13:12

Any changes in car during warranty period will be not allowed by any manufacturer and changes made during warranty, company will have upper hand if there is serious malfunction in the car.

sonirohit · 15th October 2009, 13:51

Not the warranty on the entire car - but only on the parts/systems which are impacted - i.e. - suspension in this case... this is what the maruti's policy is - it might be different for Hyundai... But A.S.S is the final authority to take a call on this.

FlyingSpur · 15th October 2009, 15:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by MalluDude

You talked to the technical support person, right? Did you talk to the showroom people? What did they say?

Showrooms are useless. They'll try to sell me their own stuff.

Quote:

Originally Posted by foby.sebastian

Now what will happen?

Somehow, I liked the sound of that

*gulp*

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikhilb2008

If you are ready to pay 15k extra for the extended warranty, wont it make sense to pay a few thousand more to buy alloys from the showroom itself?

One, because their range on offer is rubbish. Two, because it's ridiculously overpriced. Almost double.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aka_iitd

Even he buys from showroom will Hyundai gives in written that warranty will not be void. I doubt

Zactly. They wont.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrackedHead

IMO - Suspension related warranty claims are rarely honored as it falls under regular "wear and tear".

If you have room to store the stock alloys then just go for the new ones from wherever you please and hang on to the stock alloys. Fit back the stock ones if you ever have a problem with the suspension and need to go claim warranty.

Getting a good deal on the old rims. Can't keep swapping every time I need service !!

sgiitk · 15th October 2009, 15:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikhilb2008

If you are ready to pay 15k extra for the extended warranty, wont it make sense to pay a few thousand more to buy alloys from the showroom itself?

I do not see if the rim size is the same, offset is the same, and tyres of the same size are used why should it affect the warranty. I agree that no dealership in my knowledge raises a fuss on this. But then there can always be a first time.....

As for extended warranty it only covers the drive train, so unless you are a high mileage driver it if often not worth it.

FlyingSpur · 15th October 2009, 16:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgiitk

As for extended warranty it only covers the drive train, so unless you are a high mileage driver it if often not worth it.

This is a 5 year / 100,000 km comprehensive warranty. Other extended warranty options from Hyundai include a 3 year / 4 year drivetrain-only warranty.

GTO · 16th October 2009, 10:57

If you ask, you'll always hear a NO. After all, a generic YES from them could lead to someone fitting 245 width tyres on 17 inch wheels and still trying to claim warranty. They couldn't care enough about the 1% of enthusiasts who want to upgrade alloys / tyres, to release a recommended list of upsizes now, could they?

I've upsized alloys & tyres on nearly all of my cars and have never had one single rejection on warranty claims (including the Maruti Esteem way back in '96 or the C220 in '05). At the end of the day, these companies do care about keeping you happy. And unless it is obvious that damage has been caused by the upsized wheels, they won't get unreasonable.

Of course, if you want to take the safest route out, upgrade to better tyres & alloys but retain the factory size.

15th October 2009, 10:48	#1
FlyingSpur Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 3,934 Thanked: 1,422 Times View My Garage	Does alloy wheel change void the warranty on a new car? I'd like some help in this regard, folks. For my i20, I'm planning to go for the 5 year / 100,000km warranty, which is about 15k extra. Either ways, even if I dont opt for it, I have the standard 2 year warranty on the car. The stock rims are 14" and stock tyres are tubeless Apollo Acelere 185/65 R14 AFAIK. Now I'm planning to keep the stock tyres and change just the rims to another 14" design, because I hate the stock alloys I'm getting with the Asta. I spoke to Hyundai West region technical support over the phone a couple of days, and highlighted all the facts, that I'm sticking with the stock tyres and only changing the rims, sticking to the same size and not upszing etc. Still they claim that the warranty on suspension, tyres and steering will be voided. It's only if I purchase "approved" rims from dealerships or Hyundai will my warranty stay valid. Sounds like a scam to me. Dealers charge like crazy for alloy wheels. Any help you guys could offer in this regard? Has anyone had their warranty honoured even after changing alloys? Appreciate your inputs. Thanks in advance.
	() Thanks

15th October 2009, 10:57	#2
MalluDude BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kochi Posts: 397 Thanked: 56 Times View My Garage	That's because the showroom guys want to book good margins on their alloys stock. I've been using Plati alloys in my Accent and no Hyundai dealer has objected to it on the grounds that it'll null my warranty. You talked to the technical support person, right? Did you talk to the showroom people? What did they say?
	() Thanks

15th October 2009, 11:02	#3
beejay Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: The Nilgiris Posts: 1,963 Thanked: 204 Times View My Garage	flyingspur. I was told the same when I had wanted to fix aftermarket alloys for my Xylo. I dont know how far this is true. Maybe others can help.
	() Thanks

15th October 2009, 11:28	#4
foby.sebastian Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Thrissur/Kochi Posts: 2,693 Thanked: 2,836 Times View My Garage	How about Swift , we cahanged teh stock wheel rims to HRS alloys with the same tyres (JK) , but we never thought of the warranty factor , oops !! Now what will happen ?
	() Thanks

15th October 2009, 11:34	#5
kutlee Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 1,141 Thanked: 232 Times View My Garage	warranty will be void for the suspension for upgrades. quite logical i guess.
	() Thanks

15th October 2009, 11:55	#6
Nikhilb2008 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 5,196 Thanked: 10,138 Times	If you are ready to pay 15k extra for the extended warranty, wont it make sense to pay a few thousand more to buy alloys from the showroom itself? I know it is unfair, but until and unless someone takes the company to court, there is nothing you can do. It is the company policy and if you dont agree with it, no one is forcing you to buy the car.
	() Thanks

15th October 2009, 12:24	#7
Epic Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,558 Thanked: 922 Times	Hi guys, Well as all of you have all rightly said that eventhough some of you have changed/upgraded to after market alloys, no showroom has brought out the topic of voiding suspension warranty and they never will until you have a suspension issue and decide to have the same repaired under warranty. That is the time they immediately blame the after market alloys fitted whether they are as per specifications of the manufacturer or not.
	(1) Thanks

15th October 2009, 12:34	#9
CrackedHead BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seattle Posts: 585 Thanked: 81 Times	IMO - Suspension related warranty claims are rarely honored as it falls under regular "wear and tear". If you have room to store the stock alloys then just go for the new ones from wherever you please and hang on to the stock alloys. Fit back the stock ones if you ever have a problem with the suspension and need to go claim warranty.
	() Thanks

15th October 2009, 13:12	#10
jacksons BANNED Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 362 Thanked: 67 Times	Any changes in car during warranty period will be not allowed by any manufacturer and changes made during warranty, company will have upper hand if there is serious malfunction in the car.
	() Thanks

15th October 2009, 13:51	#11
sonirohit BHPian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Chandigarh Posts: 321 Thanked: 15 Times View My Garage	Not the warranty on the entire car - but only on the parts/systems which are impacted - i.e. - suspension in this case... this is what the maruti's policy is - it might be different for Hyundai... But A.S.S is the final authority to take a call on this.
	() Thanks

16th October 2009, 10:57	#15
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 70,499 Thanked: 300,310 Times View My Garage	If you ask, you'll always hear a NO. After all, a generic YES from them could lead to someone fitting 245 width tyres on 17 inch wheels and still trying to claim warranty. They couldn't care enough about the 1% of enthusiasts who want to upgrade alloys / tyres, to release a recommended list of upsizes now, could they? I've upsized alloys & tyres on nearly all of my cars and have never had one single rejection on warranty claims (including the Maruti Esteem way back in '96 or the C220 in '05). At the end of the day, these companies do care about keeping you happy. And unless it is obvious that damage has been caused by the upsized wheels, they won't get unreasonable. Of course, if you want to take the safest route out, upgrade to better tyres & alloys but retain the factory size.
	(1) Thanks