OK, so I bit the bullet and bought a 05 Baja Sport. The vehicle will see upwards of 30k miles a year, so I will be doing oil changes myself for convienience and plus because I don't trust anyone else for most things.

 

Question - how do you go about not voiding your warranty when doing your own service like this? Is it necessary to keep all receipts for filters and oil, or is a simple log entry good enough?

 

thanks

Changing your own oil will not void the warranty. Do what you said, just keep a log and all reciepts for oil and filters. The only requirement is that the oil meets the specs in the owners manual and oil change interval is adhered to.

 

Dave

Google on "Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act", you'll find lots of info about the US federal law regarding this.

 

In a nutshell, the manufacturer and/or dealer cannot require you to use their parts or service unless they provide it for free. Your only obligation is to follow the recommended maintenence schedule, using products that meet the specifications listed. Any brand-name oil and filter you find at a reputable parts store will meet the specs. You can do any of the service yourself, or have it done at any shop, just keep receipts and a log as proof.

 

There's more to it than just that, but that answers your question.

OK, so I bit the bullet and bought a 05 Baja Sport. The vehicle will see upwards of 30k miles a year, so I will be doing oil changes myself for convienience and plus because I don't trust anyone else for most things.

thanks

Nothing to add about the warranty question, but big congrats on the new Baja. I test drove a 5-speed and loved it. I'm buying one myself...in about 5 years when I can afford one...

From what I understand, you can go to Subaru.com and there's a page called My Subaru. There you can open an account (using your VIN) to record all your own information regarding any repair work done on consumables not under warranty... oil changes, coolant, brakes, wiper blades, etc. SOA tracks all dealer/warranty repairs and they will also appear in your account. I addition to this, I would also save receipts as proof of work and dates it was done. Good luck with your new car! They're great

 

Oh... I just noticed where you are from... we went to Luray Caverns last summer... that place was AWESOME!

but big congrats on the new Baja. I test drove a 5-speed and loved it. I'm buying one myself...in about 5 years when I can afford one...

Thanks, I will be putting about 500 miles per week on mine (not counting mountain biking excursions), so I should be able to report back quickly about how great they are. So far 200 miles total, liking it a lot.

 

You say 5 years till you can afford one?...well it is good to have goals to work towards, if you want one bad enough, you will get it no problem.

From what I understand, you can go to Subaru.com and there's a page called My Subaru.

I was definitely going to check that out....sorta thinking it would be a good idea to document online and hard copy (at home). Thanks

 

 

Oh... I just noticed where you are from... we went to Luray Caverns last summer... that place was AWESOME!

The mountains (any mountains) sure are wonderful things.....Looray is awesome....Skyline Caverns is probably under my house, as we are about 1 mile from the entrance, up the mountain.

From what I understand, you can go to Subaru.com and there's a page called My Subaru. There you can open an account (using your VIN) to record all your own information regarding any repair work done on consumables not under warranty... oil changes, coolant, brakes, wiper blades, etc. SOA tracks all dealer/warranty repairs and they will also appear in your account. I addition to this, I would also save receipts as proof of work and dates it was done. Good luck with your new car! They're great

Just did the 1st oil change on my new Baja Sport myself at 1,000 miles. Fairly easy, the lower cover fasteners remove with a partial turn of a scredriver. Oil drain plug took a lot of force to break free, felt like there was something (oil pan paint?) that suddenly broke loose then the plug removed normally. Replaced with Subaru oil filter & drain plug crush washer purchased at dealer, so a receipt exists, in addition to the mysubaru.com log entry.

I was definitely going to check that out....sorta thinking it would be a good idea to document online and hard copy (at home). Thanks

 

 

The mountains (any mountains) sure are wonderful things.....Looray is awesome....Skyline Caverns is probably under my house, as we are about 1 mile from the entrance, up the mountain.

 

 

I get Luray and Skyline mixed up... I have been to Skyline too... that's the one with the eagle and the organ?...there are some pretty awesome formations there... we go down to Lovettsville twice a year. It is a beautiful area.