When you buy a new vehicle, the manufacturer provides a schedule for servicing the vehicle on a regular basis to fulfill the requirements of the vehicle’s warranty. Regular servicing protects your investment while ensuring that your vehicle is safe to drive.
One of the big myths, however, is that you are required to take your new vehicle back to the dealership for servicing to maintain the warranty. The truth is any licensed technician, like the independent shops that are members of the Guelph Garage Owners Association, is qualified to service your new vehicle without affecting the warranty as long as you provide proof that the maintenance has been done.
Auto repair shops subscribe to the same manufacturer service manuals as the dealerships and are equipped to service all aspects of your new vehicle. Each manufacturer has its own maintenance schedules and there is even a difference between the various models of vehicle from the same manufacturer and the licensed technicians are trained to service all makes and models, import or domestic.
The technology incorporated into vehicles today makes routine procedures more complicated for you to perform yourself. Changing a battery, for example, is complex because many vehicles have security and operating systems that go into lock mode when the battery is disconnected. Even changing or rotating the tires cannot be done without ensuring the tire monitors are in the correct position.
Newer vehicles also have sophisticated on-board computerized systems to monitor various functions of your vehicle. While traditionally you have had to take your vehicle back to the dealership to have programming updates made to your vehicle’s computer, licensed technicians at an independent shop are often capable of providing this service.
JMH Auto Sales and Service at 15 Malcolm Rd. in Guelph, a member of the Guelph Garage Owners Association, is a cost-effective alternative to car dealership servicing for all scheduled maintenance to maintain your vehicle’s manufacturer warranty. Independently owned and operated, JMH is a full-service auto repair and preventive maintenance centre with licensed technicians trained to service all domestic and import cars, trucks and SUVs.