In Warranty Modifications
 

Are there modifications you can do to increase HP that does not affect your warranty?

Where is the best place to purchase your RX8 performance parts?

Are there factory enhancements for HP?

Do Brake upgrades affect your warranty?

Please understand I have just purchased my RX8 and I am learning a lot right now. If you have some insight to my questions please reply with specifics for I am ignorant to RX8 lingo. Thank you for any assistance.

The thing to keep in mind about this topic is that Mazda got almost all the HP you can get from this car without adding a turbo or supercharger. There really isn’t much bolt on HP out there to get. There are some aftermarket parts under the MazdaSpeed brand that if you have the dealer install them will not void a warranty. This route will be expensive and based on the low amount of return I feel it’s not a great option.
There are some non-mazda parts that offer some gains that you or a mechanic can install. In order for Mazda to deny a warranty claim they would have to prove how the aftermarket part caused the issue. For example a problem with your brakes cannot be blamed on your aftermarket exhaust. However your aftermarket radio can be lamed for an electrical issue.
The 2007 RX-8 is basically the same as the 2004 so many of your questions have already been asked. If you use the search feature you will find many threads on the subject.

I say buy not 1 but 2 of those tornado things you put in your intake :doh:

The laws surrounding the warranty obligations of the manufacturer, while designed to protect the consumer, are hardly a crutch to fall on. What Mazda says is what we do, and if they don't want to cover a warranty claim they won't. They know we will not press the issue court, and if we do they have legal staff on payroll whereas is comes out of our pocket. If you're willing to fight, then by all means go for it... I've always said, if the manufacturer would knock price off the car in exchange for no warranty coverage, then I'd take their offer in a heartbeat.

I mentioned in your other thread how having a contact at a mazda service department is an invaluable asset. That's really all you have to rely on, since Mazda doesn't exactly publish a list of OK modifications. (Wait, actually they do. It's the MAZDASPEED catalog)

how about calling mazda and asking them about what's cool and what isn't. Then searching the forms.

If you do that they will only quote what's in the owners manual.

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-aftermarket-performance-modifications-23/important-information-all-modders-104756/

beers :beer:

I work at a car entertainment shop and we added a remote start and alarm to a Nissan Quest. Somehow the BCM was shorted out causing the rear windshield wiper to go on when the power locks were used and they tried to blame us, but there was no way we could have shorted it out. We called the dealership and talked to the Tech, but all he was able to determine was that an aftermarket part was added and something stopped working. Because he wasn't able to say how the remote start/alarm could have caused the problem they covered it under warranty. That's only one success story, I've heard of dealerships telling people their warranty on suspension would be void if they added larger aftermarket wheels, but I haven't heard of any issues there. I would say if you can't go back to stock with whatever you add you probably will be voiding the warranty somehow.

here,you can void warranty by changing your oil :)

The Magnuson-Moss Act
Protecting tweakers, tuners, and other users of aftermarket equipment.



FANNING FEARS


You want to upgrade your vehicle with aftermarket equipment, but you’re worried about putting the vehicle’s warranty at risk. It’s no wonder. How many times have you heard somene of a dealership say that installing aftermarket equipment automatically voids the warranty? This common misconception has been repeated often enough to be widely believed – though it is completely false.


Fact: Dealers don’t like warranty work, because it pays less than normal repair work. By promoting the myth that aftermarket equipment automatically voids warranties, some dealers avoid such low-paying work. Instead, they attempt to charge customers the prime service rate for work which is rightfully done under warranty.




THE TRUTH


Most vehicle owners are not aware they are protected by federal law: the Magnuson-Moss Warranty – Federal Trade Commission Improvement Act of 1975. Under the Magnuson-Moss Act, aftermarket equipment which improves performance does not void a vehicle manufacturer’s original warranty, unless the warranty clearly and conspicuously states that aftermarket equipment voids the warranty. Most states have warranty statutes, as well. Which provide further protections for vehicle owners.


In other words, that means a dealer can’t wiggle out of his legal warranty obligation merely because you install aftermarket equipment. To find out if any aftermarket equipment automatically voids your vehicle’s warranty, check the owner’s manual. It is likely the language you are looking for appears under a heading such as “What Is Not Covered” Although the language seems negative, remember your vehicle manufacturer is simply saying he does not cover the aftermarket products themselves. He is not saying that the products would void the vehicle warranty.


VEHICLE DEALERS OBLIGATIONS

Suppose your modified vehicle needs repairs while still under warranty. Without analyzing the true cause of the problem, the dealer attempts to deny warranty coverage. He made his decision simply based on the fact that you’ve installed aftermarket equipment – a convenient way to dodge low-paying warranty work.


An example of how ridiculous this can get is the man who was denied warranty coverage by a dealer on his power door locks, because he had improved his exhaust system! Sounds nuts? It really happened – because that man did not know his rights and challenge the dealer’s decision.


Fact: A dealer must prove – not just say – that aftermarket equipment caused the need for repairs before he can deny warranty coverage on that basis.


YOUR RIGHTS


Point out to the dealer the provision of the Magnuson-Moss Act- Require that he explain to you how the aftermarket equipment caused the problem. If he can’t – or his explanation sounds questionable – it is your legal right to demand he comply with the warranty.


Fact: If you are still being unfairly denied warranty coverage, there is recourse. The Federal Trade Commission, which administers the Magnuson-Moss Act, monitors compliance with warranty issues. Direct complaints to the FCT at (202) 326-3128.


DODGE MOTORS

“Certain changes that you might make to your truck do not, by themselves, void the warranties described in this booklet. Examples of some of these changes are: installing non-Chrysler parts, components, or equipment.” – 1997 Warranty Information supplement to Dodge


Owner’s Manual:

GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION

“If a Chevrolet part fails due to a defect in material or workmanship not related to (on aftermarket products) or the labor to install it. Chevrolet would be responsible for covering the failed part.” – Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center


FORD MOTOR COMPANY:

“Installation of a non-genuine Ford item does not, in and of itself, render warranty void.” – Ford Owner Relations Division

FEDERAL LAW


In order to improve the adequacy of information available to consumers, prevent deception, and improve competition in the marketing of consumer products, any warrantor warranting a consumer product to a consumer by means of a written warranty shall. . .fully and conspicuously disclose in simple and readily understood language the terms and conditions of such warranty. Such rules . . . require inclusion in the written warranty of any . . . exceptions and exclusions from the terms of the warranty.’ – Magnuson-Moss Warranty & Federal Trade Commission improvement Act. Section 2302(a)