Does tinkering/adding this/that affect warranty OR ESP?

[DeLeSaAZ]

I bought my 16 Limited 9 months old, it has 24k miles (I drive maybe 10k year). We're looking at purchasing a 7 year Premium Care ESP - with the help of the Forum, Zeigler Auto Group so far seems to have the best rates for the Ford plan. If anyone has other suggestions, I'm more than willing to look into them!

My question is regarding customer-added upgrades and whether these might void the ESP. Examples would be such as the OEM Running Boards recently added or the expansion of the Security System to add the Cell Phone functionality (with me installing it) or heck, something as simple as hardwiring my Escort Radar Detector. Down the road, I'm thinking of having a trailer hitch added on - perhaps just a Stage 2 but I've seen that a Stage 3 upgrade is possible if done by the dealer.

I'm sure that something as simple as mud flaps, window channel guards, hood protectors, etc are nothing to worry about, or other simple cosmetic items but when one is starting to hack into the wiring, etc., that's an entirely different ballgame.

What does everyone think - or does anyone know off hand - I only have the basic list of coverage for the PremiumCARE ESP, not the "fine print". Perhaps it would be better to upgrade what I'm going to install myself before taking out the coverage?

 

[613GT500]

The factory can deny warranty, but would be required to prove that the mods are the cause.
At the end of the day, if you have a good dealership, they will go to bat for you and make warranty claims as painless as possible.

 

[peterk9]

I bought my 16 Limited 9 months old, it has 24k miles (I drive maybe 10k year). We're looking at purchasing a 7 year Premium Care ESP - with the help of the Forum, Zeigler Auto Group so far seems to have the best rates for the Ford plan. If anyone has other suggestions, I'm more than willing to look into them!

My question is regarding customer-added upgrades and whether these might void the ESP. Examples would be such as the OEM Running Boards recently added or the expansion of the Security System to add the Cell Phone functionality (with me installing it) or heck, something as simple as hardwiring my Escort Radar Detector. Down the road, I'm thinking of having a trailer hitch added on - perhaps just a Stage 2 but I've seen that a Stage 3 upgrade is possible if done by the dealer.

I'm sure that something as simple as mud flaps, window channel guards, hood protectors, etc are nothing to worry about, or other simple cosmetic items but when one is starting to hack into the wiring, etc., that's an entirely different ballgame.

What does everyone think - or does anyone know off hand - I only have the basic list of coverage for the PremiumCARE ESP, not the "fine print". Perhaps it would be better to upgrade what I'm going to install myself before taking out the coverage?

You can find most of the answers in the Warranty Guide. http://www.fordservicecontent.com/F...ck-Warranty-version-3_frdwa_EN-US_10_2015.pdf
As for adding a trailer hitch, even a class III installed by the dealer will only be good for 2000 lbs. Only factory installed class III towing package is rated for 5000 lbs. The towing package includes several factory installed items including a different transmission.
For an ESP take blwnsmoke's advice and check with his contact. He mentions $100 over cost and that includes 1st day rental which some others delete to be competitive.
0% financing for 24 months. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums...ded-service-plans.323161/page-14#post-3496413
If get the Premium Care brochure or look at a copy of it on the Internet, the "fine print" is on the bottom of it. http://www.ford.ca/resources/ford/general/pdf/service/PremiumCARE.pdf

Peter

 

[DeLeSaAZ]

You can find most of the answers in the Warranty Guide. http://www.fordservicecontent.com/F...ck-Warranty-version-3_frdwa_EN-US_10_2015.pdf
As for adding a trailer hitch, even a class III installed by the dealer will only be good for 2000 lbs. Only factory installed class III towing package is rated for 5000 lbs. The towing package includes several factory installed items including a different transmission.
For an ESP take blwnsmoke's advice and check with his contact. He mentions $100 over cost and that includes 1st day rental which some others delete to be competitive.
0% financing for 24 months. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums...ded-service-plans.323161/page-14#post-3496413
If get the Premium Care brochure or look at a copy of it on the Internet, the "fine print" is on the bottom of it. http://www.ford.ca/resources/ford/general/pdf/service/PremiumCARE.pdf

Peter

Thanks Peter - I did print the "brochure" for the PremiumCARE (and I have had it on another vehicle before) but it was 2:30a and I wasn't up to "fine-print" reading at the time! I do recall seeing posts of not all Ford plans being equal for reasons you cited - I was actually trying to find a post that several people said they trusted the dealer (in Conn if I remember, could be wrong). I'm not buying the policy today, lots of time to look and research, just wanted to check those initial things. I also thought I'd read something about the dealer being able to install Class 3 towing (I remembered the oil cooler and wiring harness, forgot the transmission and I recall something about having to cut the bumper "panel" (don't remember the exact term). The towing thing would be a very last item thing, merely a thought for now, it may never happen or I may upgrade cars by that time. Who knows. But thanks.

 

[peterk9]

Should the time come for the hitch, there is a DIY video on the Forum that a member posted.

 

[Driven Mad]

Check out Lombard Ford Warrantys dot com. (I'm new here so hesitant to post exact hyperlinks). I've had two ESPs from Ziegler, used the coverage twice and no problems. Saved me several hundred on a 12 Edge with a door sensor problem. Just got the new 2017 Exploder and Lombard was $90 less than Ziegler for the ESP. Hope this helps a little.

 

[blwnsmoke]

Simple answer.. if it is a Ford accessory, it will not void the warranty. If it is a non Ford accessory, it could if that particular accessory caused a failure.

 

[peterk9]

Thanks Peter - I did print the "brochure" for the PremiumCARE (and I have had it on another vehicle before) but it was 2:30a and I wasn't up to "fine-print" reading at the time! I do recall seeing posts of not all Ford plans being equal for reasons you cited - I was actually trying to find a post that several people said they trusted the dealer (in Conn if I remember, could be wrong). I'm not buying the policy today, lots of time to look and research, just wanted to check those initial things. I also thought I'd read something about the dealer being able to install Class 3 towing (I remembered the oil cooler and wiring harness, forgot the transmission and I recall something about having to cut the bumper "panel" (don't remember the exact term). The towing thing would be a very last item thing, merely a thought for now, it may never happen or I may upgrade cars by that time. Who knows. But thanks.

For the ESP yo may be thinking of blwnsmoke's contact Joel Hawley. Genuine ESP for $100 over cost with 0% financing for 24 months including 1st day rental which some delete to price match. See http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/index.php?threads/ford-extended-service-plans.323161/

Peter

 

[peterk9]

Check out Lombard Ford Warrantys dot com. (I'm new here so hesitant to post exact hyperlinks). I've had two ESPs from Ziegler, used the coverage twice and no problems. Saved me several hundred on a 12 Edge with a door sensor problem. Just got the new 2017 Exploder and Lombard was $90 less than Ziegler for the ESP. Hope this helps a little.

Welcome to the Forum.
Interesting to see what Joel from Two Rivers (see above post) would have quoted you. I'm guessing it would have been less.

Peter