Auto vs. Tractor Warranties vs. Various Oil Specs

[SLOBuds]

(Sorry if this has been covered.)

I've been a synthetic lubricant fan over the years. AMSOIL is the current 'flavor.'

One thing that always scares the auto owner has to do with extended drain intervals, as well as using oils with slightly different specifications than what is called out in the auto maintenance manual. Owners typically believe that their warranty is voided from the extended interval or alternate oil spec.

Well, for autos at least, the issue is resolved: if component failure is due to the oil, then the manufacturer is off the hook. If not, then the manufacturer has to cover the failure if within warranty period.

So the manufacturer can't simply say that you should have changed oil at 5,000 miles. He has to say that the oil was bad itself, and thereby caused the failure. You need to turn around and show (oil analysis) that the oil was just fine. Etc. The manufacturer can't ask you to use his brand of oil, or his drain periods, as reason to decline a warranty claim.

Now after all of this: does the same type of logic work with tractors? I haven't noticed anyone here talking about extended drain intervals for tractors. Or going onto some type of oil analysis program.

Curious. I was wondering if this concept and the legal rulings have only applied to automobiles/motorcycles rather than tractors (or fleet operations for that matter).

Thanks,
Martin Petersen

 

[slowrev]

I think all of the issues you mentioned have discussed many times on here as relating to tractors. Many heated threads on these subjects. The main difference I see with tractor vs auto warranties is that there are fewer warranty related legal protections for tractor owners. Ie lemon laws, Recall laws, etc.

 

[Soundguy]

One thought I had.. is that for many tractor owners.. we are only getting enough hours useage out of a tractor to justify 1 oil change a year anyway...

Soundguy

 

[cp1969]

Amen to that. I run out of calender time way before I hit max hours.

But just to stir the pot, even if I could take advantage of extended drain intervals, I think they make a lot less sense in something like a tractor which runs in a far dirtier environment than an auto.

 

[SLOBuds]

Yes, I agree there. Didn't really think that through very well!

The terms for extending auto drain includes changing the filter mid-year, as an example. And there is a program where you never have to change oil until analysis indicates such - and that program requires you to change oil AND air filter.

There is just too much dirt/dust on the farm to be able to allow those extended period drains I think.

Good point.