Factory auto warranties cover repairs for nearly any breakdown that occurs beyond normal wear and tear, negligence, or abuse. These packages are always limited in terms of time and mileage. Powertrain warranties are a sub-component of the factory warranty plans. The difference is that a powertrain warranty provides coverage for a longer time and greater distance with the limitation being on covered parts. Let’s find out more.
When your factory warranty expires, an extended warranty covers car repairs. Get a free extended warranty quote from CARCHEX today.
Powertrain Differs From Bumper-To-Bumper
Every new car comes with a warranty sometimes referred to as “bumper-to-bumper”. So, for example, if the air conditioning in your 2015 Ford Escape goes on the blink within 3 years or 36,000 miles, the manufacturer pays for the repairs.
The powertrain warranty term on the same vehicle last for 5 years/60,000 miles. However, only specific components are covered. Typically the powertrain warranty covers all the parts that make the car go, such as the:
- Engine (cylinder block, cylinder heads, fuel pump, engine mounts, injection pump, manifold, oil pump, seals & gaskets, thermostat, timing chain, etc.)
- Transmission (clutch cover, seals & gaskets, torque converter, transfer case, transmission case, transmission mounts, etc.)
- Front and rear wheel drive components (axle shafts, bearings, support bearings, drive axle housing, drive shaft, propeller shafts, retainers, support, seals and gaskets, universal and constant velocity joints, etc.)
City & Suburb Vs. Rural Drivers
The average number of miles driven per car per year is about 15,000 miles. If we take the Ford Escape example, this means that the powertrain will be covered for at least four years, which isn’t bad.
If you live in a rural area, the distances you drive are much greater, maybe even double that driven by city or suburb dwellers. That means your drivetrain might only see two or three years of coverage at best. For this reason, rural residents should opt for the best powertrain warranty possible.
Stacking Up The Brands
Here are the major auto brands and their corresponding powertrain warranty terms:
- 4 years/50,000 miles: Audi, BMW, Fiat, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, Mini, Porsche, Volvo
- 5 years/60,000 miles: Ford, Honda, Mazda, Nissan, Volkswagen (excluding Touareg)
- 5 years/70,000 miles: Infiniti
- 5 years/100,000 miles: Dodge, Cadillac, Chrysler, Jeep, Ram
- 6 years/60,000 miles: Toyota
- 6 years/70,000 miles: Acura, Lexus, Lincoln
- 10 year/100,000 miles: Hyundai, Kia, Mitsubishi, Volkswagen Touareg
Choose Wisely
Car buying decisions are never based on one factor only, but the powertrain warranty should be considered carefully. Powertrain repair costs can often be in the thousands of dollars, so you want to choose the best plan possible.
It’s important to keep your warranty coverage up to date to avoid having to pay a large repair bill. An extended warranty coverage plan can pick up when the factory warranty has expired.
Cover expensive powertrain repairs with an extended vehicle protection plan from CARCHEX. Get a free quote now.
