See above posts #13, #14, and the follow-up, #15.
I'm not allowed to change my own oil (unless I owned a licensed repair facility) if I want to keep it under warranty.
If your warranty explicitly states that oil changes must be performed by a licensed repair facility, it is possible for the manufacturer or dealership to deny a warranty claim related to engine issues if you perform your own oil changes, even if you do them correctly. This is because you're not following the warranty's stated requirements.
However, this restriction could conflict with the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which prohibits manufacturers from voiding warranties or denying claims solely because maintenance was not performed by an authorized facility, unless they provide the maintenance free of charge or prove that improper maintenance caused the issue. This is true whether the warranty was free or not, cost is irrelevant.
Here’s the key distinction:
1. If the manufacturer proves negligence (e.g., wrong oil used, improper process), they can deny a related warranty claim.
2. If you comply with manufacturer specs (correct oil, proper procedure) and document your work, you have legal grounds to contest a denial under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.