Dont change your own Oil if you want to keep your warranty!

[pickelhead]

I'm not bashing. But I am really angry and you can keep your sympathy. As far as I am concerned I made a deal with BRP. I am living up to my end and doing the service, (not to mention I paid for the bike), and when I was told that there is any possibility that they won't live up to their end, then I have a problem with BRP. I asked Alex if there was anyone else I could speak with and he told me NO. So as far as I am concerned, until I hear from someone above Alex, I am completely authorized to tell the world that BRP's attitude is that they may not voluntarily honor their warranty if you service your own bike.

Me thinks you do protest too much.

 

[Dudley]

opcorn:opcorn:opcorn:opcorn:

Everybody has opinions and many are really good ones. This Spyder owner is really worried about a "what if" situation that has not happened and may never. He is seeking some one to agree with him that BRP is wrong and he is right. OH BOY!

Let me once again post my story. We bought a 2008 SE5, you know the one with the "automatic" (not really automatic) transmission that in it's beginning had some issues. But patience and postings, etc., and the SE5 is now what it is. Ours had a problem in not completely disengaging when stopped with the engine running and in gear. I did the most forbidding thing anyone could have done. I researched different oils and started using Royal Purple 10W40 Automotive Synthetic! BINGO! The problem went away, never to return! I violated the BRP Warranty! Did I worry? NO! I rode the Spyder for 43,000 miles and traded for the RT. I have never taken either Spyder to the dealer for anything but warranty recall work. Do I worry? NO! I am still using Royal Purple 10W40 Automotive Synthetic and, as in every motorcycle I have every owned since 1966 I change the oil and filter every 5,000 miles. Total Spyder miles on the two I have owned is 68,000. Do the math and see how much money I have saved. (I guesstimate $13,000!)

And now in answer the this OP. Do what you want to do. It's your Spyder. If you worry so much about a warranty, you will take a lot of fun out of riding. Also, the dealer is probably just trying to cover his back side, scare you a bit, and try and make money.

 

[gypsy_100]

A Few Uninformed Reps

Don't judge BRP by this rep. I personally know a guy with a nice Camaro. He called GM to ask if it was OK to use synthetic oil. The customer service rep said "No. It had not been specifically tested in the Camaro and would void the warranty." Talk about somebody making things up as he goes along. Jeez. Unfortunately this guy believed the rep and would not use synthetic oil. I tried to convince him that any oil that meets all the specs in the owner's manual was fine but he stood by what this rep said and used only conventional oil. His loss.

 

[DrewNJ]

After owning BRP (mainly seadoo) over the last several years I have come to learn that BRP relies heavily on their dealers. Much more than any other company I've ever dealt with....
I have come to find that BRP will do and stand behind what their dealer recommends.

I have never, that I can remember, heard of anyone getting anything done through BRP going over the dealers head.
So, I have a hard time believing that the dealer wants to do something and BRP is putting the stop on it....I think your dealer may be two facing you.

Usually if the dealer calls for it, BRP goes with it pertaining to warranty concerns....if the dealer says no, BRP says no and stands behind that. MUCH more than any other company I have ever dealt with...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mike3069]

This thread is a great example of what can result from an instance of "misguided" customer service. All of the ranting and back and forth commenting could have been prevented by a better trained and more attentive customer service rep. Most of the smoke that I have just tried to digest is, in fact, just steam from a boiling over pot left to long on the burner.

Spyderlovers, take the pot off the flame, take a breath, relax.

BRP, examine your customer relations policies and procedures.

We WILL all survive this.

 

[Trickie Dick]

Why would BRP sell oil change kits if they didn't approve of users changing their own oil:dontknow: I really don't think these kits are directed to the dealer techs.
If so, I'm on the wrong mailing list.:roflblack:

 

[NancysToy]

Why would BRP sell oil change kits if they didn't approve of users changing their own oil:dontknow: I really don't think these kits are directed to the dealer techs.
If so, I'm on the wrong mailing list.:roflblack:

Good point! :thumbup:

It is probably a conspiracy by BRP to get owners to void their warranties unwittingly. :joke:

 

[Smokinspyder]

I don't know what your issue is, and I don't care what Alex says, it is not that cut and dried. In the US, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act prohibits a manufacturer from voiding your warranty because you did the service, or had a third party do so. That's the law...not some service rep's mumbo jumbo.

Now here's where it gets a little complicated. First, you have to be able to prove that the service was done according to their schedule and to their specs. That's pretty easy if you document the srvice work, including all tasks performed, the mileage, and the date. Keeping the receipts for the oil, filter, and gaskets is a big help, too. On their end, they have to show that the work (or modifications) you performed directly caused or contributed to the problem in question. The remainder of the warranty remains in effect, BTW.

I suspect there is more to this story than we have read here. If you feel that you have been legally shortchanged, however, it may be necessary to contact a lawyer for further advice. There are specific legal obligations on the part of both parties before a thing like this is supposed to happen.

Pretty much what he said . They would have to PROVE that your oil change or what ever you installed or removed was at fault and well thats not going to be easy ! In case your curious yes I have dealt with the "Its something elses fault not our products " whaving been a car audio installer for about 14 years ( Going back into the industry in 10 days as well )

 

[bruiser]

As a master service tech for a major company, I have the authority to determine if an issue is warranty or not. Recently I received a breakdown call that I've seen many times before. I called the customer and informed him that the issue may not be warrantied. I also advised him what to look for to solve the problem. The customer called me back and said he fixed the problem and appreciated what I did for him. Now, on the other hand I've had customers argue, threaten, yell, scream etc. when I charge them for a repair that I told them from the get go wasn't warranty related. Then I hand them off to corporate warranty reps and let them do their job. Tact means a lot when talking to company reps about an issue. You jump in my face, I'm going to throw up the force field. You be nice and listen, I'll be nice and listen. One other thing, if someone else works on the machine before you call me and I have to figure out what they did before I figure out the original problem, warranty or not, most likely you're going to have to pay.

 

[Jeriatric]

As a master service tech for a major company, I have the authority to determine if an issue is warranty or not. Recently I received a breakdown call that I've seen many times before. I called the customer and informed him that the issue may not be warrantied. I also advised him what to look for to solve the problem. The customer called me back and said he fixed the problem and appreciated what I did for him. Now, on the other hand I've had customers argue, threaten, yell, scream etc. when I charge them for a repair that I told them from the get go wasn't warranty related. Then I hand them off to corporate warranty reps and let them do their job. Tact means a lot when talking to company reps about an issue. You jump in my face, I'm going to throw up the force field. You be nice and listen, I'll be nice and listen. One other thing, if someone else works on the machine before you call me and I have to figure out what they did before I figure out the original problem, warranty or not, most likely you're going to have to pay.

There ya go!! :thumbup: :clap::clap::clap:

Before I do a Mod it has to pass this smell test. Could it put me on *defense* as it relates to BRP's Warranty statement. The less likely it is to do that, the more likely I am to do the Mod. A simple test that works for me.

 

[Bob Denman]

Well I've got to agree that we've knit ourselves a real hornet's nest out of what was just a pile of wet hair with this one... :shocked:
Sparks solved the whole issue a while back: keep your receipts and be prepared to show that you did the oil changes according to their schedule...:thumbup:
Which should be 4600 miles now... i think! :yikes:

 

[Jeriatric]

Unless you live in California.......:banghead:

 

[NancysToy]

...or use the old style filters.

 

[Bob Denman]

:shocked: Now my head hurts... :shocked:

 

[flaggerphil]

If it was me, I would have waited a day or two then called the company again to talk to a different rep. If that didn't work, I'd go through the dealer (who the OP said was doing a good job) to get the problem taken care of. I wouldn't go off on the entire company due to one person.

OTOH, I don't think most here were bashing the OP, either.

So...

 

[pellcitypete]

WOW

I also posted a bad responce about BRP and several people jumped on me like a june bug on :cus: But don't let those few turn away from here there are alot more good people than bad.I know from experance.......... been there done that PETE

 

[plescaille]

Update from Newbie

Who here knows first hand what qualifications these BRP phone answering reps have. Are they clerks?

Based on the one and ONLY call I have made. The young lady that took my call didn't know s... from shinola. She was basically following a decision tree provided her by someone with Spyder knowledge. Because she certainly had little.....if any, first hand knowledge.

In fact......and this is the gospel. She referred me here for answers and even suggested I contact Lamont. Now that's a fact.

Hello All! First let me introduce myself, which I failed to do prior to my first post. My name is Pete and I am from Monmouth County NJ and I recently purchased 2 2012 RT limited spyders, one for my wife and one for me. I have owned numerous Goldwings and Harleys.

Because we are at the 600 mile service point, I called the dealer to schedule. They can not take me for 2 weeks. I decided to call BRP (1-888-864-2002) and was specifically told that "I can do my own oil change" as long as i keep all receipts with dates. I asked again and told him I had heard otherwise and he said no. I can have the service done at any dealer, or I can do it myself as long I save all receipts.

Best to all and thanks for the great info this board has.

 

[Huntindawg1962]

cant believe this thread is still going......





edit - and this forum apparently does not like animated .gif files....

 

[CanAmChris]

cant believe this thread is still going....

I kinda stopped reading this one as well. The first time I tried to change the oil myself I could not get the plug nut loose. I called the dealer I got the oil and filters from and the tech said to bring it down and he will do it for me at the usual price. I rode it down with half the tupperware off (the tech said it was fine to do because he does it all the time when recovering wrecked Spyders) Long story short. I sat there and watched him do the oil change and he told me the things to watch out for when I go to change the oil next time.

The point of my story? That was back when you bought the oil and filters and o-rings as seperate things. Now they have a nice little cardboard box Maintenance kit that I walk in and buy, put in the frunk and take home to do it myself. If they supply the kit it cannot void the warranty. I change my own oil and track the miles on the B trip meter.

Sorry if someone already pointed the Maintenance kit thing out but I was lazy and didn't read all the new posts.

CAC

 

[arris]

Warranty work

I have also talked to Alex and he is not the main man as he says you have to keep your cool with them and let your dealer talk for you it took my dealer 3.5 hours to fix my problem but yes Alex should not have a phone and he can't help you my problem was breaks and the dealer I bought my Spyder from sold water craft didn't have a clue how to fix eanything on it and I went to a nother daler (RPM Cycles Albemarle NC.) best in my book service fixed my bike while shop teck talked on the phone fixing the other dealers mess now I am happy happy happy BRP will fix it Alex should not have a job if he treats everybody like that I will never forget him:chill:

After reading all the threads here on this oil change, I only have one thing to say. :bowdown::bowdown::bowdown: My father always said the more you stir S---:banghead: the worst it stinks:yes: