So had a long talk with Honda corporate today about MTF and Exhausts

So me and my group of fellow R owners always get into talks about this or that and this dealer said this or this dealer said that. Well, a friend of mine took his R and amsoil MTF to the dealer to have them swap out. The told hm they wouldn't do it because it would void warranty…. hummm that's funny this is the same dealer that DID swap out my Honda MTF for Amsoil. Strange. They also told him if he had any engine problems to take his aftermarket exhaust off before coming in or HONDA would deny a claim. Basically I hate my dealer and I call B.S. so I call Honda I keep on till I get transferred to the inbound specialist department? From what I understand , I may be wrong, but they are the ones who handle dealer claims. Bingo , great I have questions.

So first does changing trans fluid void warranty? I explained the situation in detail and she was super nice answered what she could and if she didn't know she went and asked one of the specialists. Basically in the manual on page 570 for those with the expanded manual it states that automatics require Honda specific or can void warranty but we don't have automatics. Under the MTF is specifies Honda but does not require it and makes no statement about warranty. Hell it even says of you aint got none throw some motor oil in there till ya can get some. Well with that wording how can they say you cant use x or y brand when just putting motor oil in is ok? Then says replace the MTF not the Honda MTF like in the automatic does. Here is the page.

So the inbound specialist stated that any MTF is fine and would not void a warranty as long as it was of same quality as Hondas. OK so doing some internet searching I found this info supplied by Amsoil representative.

Amsoil MTF and Hondas MTF both are 5w 30 and SAE 30 certified. Both fall into the same viscosity range of 6.9 to 12.3 cST @ 100 c or 212 f. So yeah I think they are equivalent. Suck it Honda dealers. They also told me even if something were to happen the DEALER would have to provide Honda PROOF it caused it in order for Honda to deny claim. Interesting wording there....Dealer has to PROVE IT TO HONDA.

As for the exhausts as I know this is a big topic. So basically what brought this up was a friend who had removed his resonator had an engine problem. This is a bit simplified but basically what happened. Dealer says well you modified your exhaust warranty voided end of story. This was a while ago, so I figured I would ask today while talking to Honda about aftermarket exhausts. Basically the power train and Emissions are two different systems. The exhaust is not part of the powertrain system and not under its warranty. Again if something failed with engine they would have to PROVE to Honda it was the Exhaust that did it. But that aside take a look at this in the Warranty info under emissions systems.

Read that middle section carefully... an emergency is considered when a Honda repair facility is not reasonably located. So I asked her IM in the middle of the Nevada desert and I hit an armadillo that rips my muffler off. Poor guy... there is no repair facility for 70 miles except this one guy who just so happens to have an aftermarket exhaust in stock and can put it on. You know so I stay emissions compliant after all it is law. So the way that is worded that is ok and Honda still has reimburse you for the part at manufactures suggested retail? She more or less loosely said yes. Boys Im about to hit an armadillo and get an exhaust lol.. but seriously. She said well not exactly but read the third section. If a non authorized part is used and they determine it caused the issue...again she said they have to prove it not just say it. They have to prove it first.

Basically she kept saying the dealer has to prove it. She didn't say once Honda has to prove it. Dealers are full of crap. But honestly I think there is an angle there that would get Honda to pay for your aftermarket noise maker... Just keep re reading that section till it sinks in LOL

Any way grain of salt because at end of day if Honda wants to be a dick well... but this is what I was told.

I do find it interesting though she kept saying the dealer had to prove to Honda. I've always been told by dealer well Honda said this or Honda said that. Who knows. But funny as IM writing this guess what, my buddy just got a check for engine replacement from Honda cause guess what? They couldn't prove the Exhaust did it. Interesting....

Just remember, it was only one person. I have overheard plenty of people at my company give customers bad info. Not maliciously but because they didn't know any better.

CTtypeR said:

Just remember, it was only one person. I have overheard plenty of people at my company give customers bad info. Not maliciously but because they didn't know any better.

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yes but it was a person who worked in the department at Honda that Handles these things with dealers. and she asked the specialists like I said when she wasn't sure. so a little credit there wasn't a phone operator in china.. plus like I said was strange that right after she told me all the dealer has to prove it.. my buddy gets a check for warranty on engine replacement because… dealer count not prove it. Plus did you not also see Hondas own warranty and manual info there.... granted yes grain of salt but I did some research have the warranty info in black and white have an example of what she said is true and talked directly with the department that handles it soooo...

Interesting read, thank you for the information. Now who's up for a road trip to run some armadillos over......i mean visit Nevada

Replace transmission fluid yourself with whatever you chose. Don’t waste time with all this Bs. Win

Harlaquin said:

yes but it was a person who worked in the department at Honda that Handles these things with dealers. and she asked the specialists like I said when she wasn't sure. so a little credit there wasn't a phone operator in china.. plus like I said was strange that right after she told me all the dealer has to prove it.. my buddy gets a check for warranty on engine replacement because… dealer count not prove it. Plus did you not also see Hondas own warranty and manual info there.... granted yes grain of salt but I did some research have the warranty info in black and white have an example of what she said is true and talked directly with the department that handles it soooo...

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Yeah I'm not saying all or at least some of it isn't true. I just wouldn't rely on it completely. Even the best employee can make a mistake or misinterpret something on a bad day

If she "more or less" said that an exhaust damaged by a road hazard would be replaced under warranty, I wouldn't trust anything she said...