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When researching car warranties, the term “powertrain” is used quite often. Most major car manufacturers have two types of warranties on all new cars: a bumper-to-bumper warranty and a powertrain warranty. The powertrain warranty usually lasts a lot longer, up to ten years or even for life, but this particular car warranty doesn’t cover the entire car but only portions of it.
What does a powertrain warranty cover?
In short, a powertrain warranty covers the parts of a vehicle that cause it to go. This includes, but is not generally limited to, the following:
- Engine
- Transmission
- Drive axle
- Differentials
If any of those parts fail in a car, the car is usually worthless to the owner, so prompt and reliable repair of any failures is essential. That’s why car manufacturers are eager to offer powertrain warranty coverage. While they might not feel inclined to fix the heating system after 50,000 miles, a broken transmission should be covered a bit longer.
Always read the fine print on your car warranty, however. Even the almighty powertrain warranty for a specific brand might not cover general wear and tear on your car. For instance, most powertrain car warranties will cover the transmission but will not cover the clutch unit. If you’ve ever driven a stick shift, you know that operator error plays a huge role in how soon a clutch will wear out. The manufacturer doesn’t want to be held responsible for damage that you cause.
Other exclusions that might not seem that important at first (but will become very important to you in the event of a failure) could be cabling, sensors or electrical. While these smaller parts might not cost as much to replace outright, the diagnostics at your local dealer or mechanic can take hours, and you’ll be liable for that cost as well.
The value of any car warranty is in the coverage details. Ask your dealer the tough questions about what is covered and don’t be fooled by the glossy packaging. Weigh your options carefully before making a purchase.
