Ford Expedition Extended Warranty and Scheduled Maintenance

kjm14

Okay, I have a question. I just purchased an '08 Expedition Eddie Bauer and I was considering getting the extended warranty through Ford. However, the fine print says:

"I agree that proper maintenance of the above described vehicle in accordance with factory recommendations is a condition of coverage under this agreement."

Can I assume that if I don't follow the maintenance schedule exactly they will deny me? Some of these "scheduled maintenances" can get costly.

Thoughts?

stever

Good assumption and you know the dealer will try to upsell you stuff every time you go in. Or they'll claim that your driving isn't normal, but severe, and that extra stuff must be done.

But if you go to an independent mechanic, you'll have to hassle with proving to Ford that your mechanic did the scheduled maintenance and used the proper fluids, etc.

If you can stick to the normal schedule in the owner's manual, and refuse the upsells, or keep meticulous records at your independent garage, it could be ok. The Edmunds Car Maintenance Guide will tell you what the scheduled maintenance should cost in your zip code. But the fine print can be a real gotcha.

Check out the Extended Warranties discussion too. And congrats on the new ride!

kjm14

Thanks for the quick response!

It's my first American car in over twenty years. I have an Infiniti QX4 with 143,000 miles on it and I would take it on any long trip without a worry.

I'll have to think about the EW....thanks again!

austins

Scheduled maintenance keeps your vehicle from developing unnecessary problems. You don't have to have it done at a dealership. Just find a mechanic you trust and make sure he does the work to manufacturer specifications and gives you a verifiable receipt and you'll be fine. The main thing is keeping your service records and receipts and making sure your mileage is on them.