Does skipping the second maintenance at a 4S shop void the warranty?
2 Answers
The second maintenance not being performed at a 4S shop can void the warranty. The items included in the second maintenance are: 1. Ensuring the engine starts easily, runs smoothly, meets exhaust emission standards, and has no abnormal noises, water leakage, oil leakage, electrical leakage, or air leakage; 2. The steering free play and toe-in meet the requirements; 3. The clutch free play meets the requirements; 4. Checking whether the transmission, drive system, and front half-shaft are well lubricated; 5. Checking whether the brake pedal and service brake meet the requirements; 6. Ensuring normal tire pressure; 7. The suspension arms and shock absorbers are fixed properly, and the wheel hub bearings do not overheat during driving; 8. All auxiliary equipment is complete and functions normally; 9. Performing a full vehicle wash and maintenance.
I've driven several cars, and from my experience, skipping the second maintenance at a 4S dealership doesn't necessarily mean voiding the warranty—it all depends on the warranty terms. The warranty manual provided by the manufacturer when purchasing the car has detailed regulations. Some brands require maintenance to be done exclusively at 4S dealerships to keep the warranty valid, especially for core components like the engine and transmission, but this isn't an absolute rule. As long as you go to a reputable repair shop outside, replace consumables like engine oil and filters on time, use parts that meet the original manufacturer's standards, and keep invoices and maintenance records, it's hard for the manufacturer to arbitrarily deny warranty claims. If any issues arise, they must prove the fault was caused by improper maintenance; otherwise, the warranty still applies. Consumer protection laws also support our right to choose repair shops, so don't worry too much. I recommend checking the manual or calling the 4S dealership to confirm, just to avoid disputes later. Overall, the quality of maintenance is what truly matters—location isn't the deciding factor.
