Your warranty provides you with peace of mind. If, after purchasing a new or preowned car, something goes wrong, you have recourse. For example, is your transmission skipping? Is your engine misfiring? How about your suspension, air conditioner, or traction control? These items, and many others, are usually covered by the warranty.

The problem is, there are circumstances in which your decisions can void your warranty coverage. These circumstances are not always obvious. With this in mind, we'll explore automotive warranties from the perspective of items that may void them. I'll list several "deal breakers" below.

"Inappropriate" Use Of Your Car

To car manufacturers, any activity outside the scope of driving on city streets and highways is considered inappropriate. This, of course, varies by make and model. If you own a four-wheel drive vehicle, appropriate use may include off-roading (though this is not a given). If you're hauling a heavy load or racing, be careful. By doing so, you may unwittingly void your coverage.

How do automakers know if you've been participating in hauling, racing, or off-roading with your vehicle? They can identify certain types of excessive wear. Plus, in the case of racing, representatives of car manufacturers have been known to attend the events and note plate numbers. They would presumably use these plate numbers to deny warranty coverage later.

Installation Of Aftermarket Components

It is common for dealerships to void warranties - or, at least claim they're voided - if they notice aftermarket parts on a vehicle. In most cases, consumers neglect to do their own due diligence, and simply accept what the dealer tells them. Had they checked, they would have discovered that legislation passed in the 1970s requires dealerships to prove a given aftermarket component led to the failure of the covered part. If they cannot prove this, the warranty remains in effect.

Typically, if the dealer claims an aftermarket installation is responsible for another part's failure, they will charge you for a diagnostic test to prove it. If they cannot conclusively establish the causal relationship, the dealer will reimburse you and fix, or replace, the failing component.

Lack Of Preventative Maintenance

This is straightforward. If you neglect to maintain your vehicle, don't expect the dealer to honor your warranty coverage for parts and systems that require regular maintenance. For example, suppose a few years pass without your changing your car's oil. If your engine develops serious problems, expect to pay for repairs out of your pocket, even if your car remains under warranty.

Related to this are circumstances in which certain components are exposed to damage, either accidental or intentional. For instance, suppose your son fills your gas tank with syrup. Any damage caused to the fuel pump, filter, and fuel injectors (if the syrup reaches that point) will not be covered.

You Total Your Vehicle

If you're involved in an accident after which your auto insurance company declares your vehicle "totaled," your warranty becomes void. Even if you decide to keep and repair your car, it will not be covered.

How To Ensure You Avoid Breaking The Warranty

Making sure you maintain your coverage is simple. First, read your warranty. Most people neglect to do this, but doing so is important to understand the factors that place your coverage at risk.

Second, have your vehicle serviced according to recommended intervals listed in your owner's manual. Keep your receipts.

Third, don't assume the technicians or the service manager are able to define what it covered and what is not. It's important to realize that dealerships are fallible. Their interpretation of your coverage may be inaccurate. If you suspect a given repair job is covered, but the dealer is refusing to perform the work under warranty, contact the car manufacturer.

Often, automotive warranties are only as good as your willingness to defend them. Given the average cost of repairs, doing so is usually worth the effort.