Customizing a Leased Vehicle

jasch1124 · July 12, 2015

I sell new vehicles, so for me, leasing is practically a requirement of the job to keep up to date on the product. That being said, I love to modify my vehicles.

The key is to return them to stock or close to it before you turn it in. Also, turning it in where you purchased it lessons the likelyhood of the vehicle being inspected.

My recommendation would be to get a bolt on cat-back and keep the factory exhaust stored intact. I actually have a dedicated storage area specifically for all of my take off items so that it takes about a day at most to stock out my truck.

With that being said, window tint isn't a big deal. They wont notice additional holes drilled as long as its not on the outside of the body or in the lights. You have a lot of freedom but you do need to be smart about it. Honestly, I doubt anyone would even notice a body lift but my levelling kit will come off when I turn mine in.

Thanks for taking the time to respond. So my thought process is to cut out the stock muffler and weld in a Flowmaster; something that won't break the bank for me and get me some grunt. So you said bringing it back at the end stock is the key, I can do that. Now what about warranty work and the maintenance plan? Would everything be honored with this type of modification?

Sent from my mobile using Tapatalk

jasch1124 · July 12, 2015

Exhaust stuff won't affect warranties. Unless you're 100% sure you'll buy it at the end of the lease I'd do a cat back so you can keep stock parts and easily reinstall them though.

When you say 'exhaust stuff won't affect warranties', do you have experience with this? I really want to believe you [emoji4]

Sent from my mobile using Tapatalk

MikeNH · July 12, 2015

I've done cat back exhausts on everything I've owned. No issues.

jasch1124 · July 12, 2015

I have leased 7 cars in the last 10 years all have been modified. Not once had a problem when returning. I have left exhausts on a few of them. My ram had an 18 inch MagnaFlow swap not a problem. I deleted the mufflers on my gto with no problem. Don't repaint it or return it with non stock wheels. They don't like that.

Thanks for responding S9779. Sounds like you have a lot of experience in this department. What about when you're modified vehicle went in for a warranty repair? The truck is brand new and I would hate to burn portions of the warranty over an exhaust note. I also have the maintenance plan for oil changes that I planned on using. It wouldn't affect that now would it?

Sent from my mobile using Tapatalk

S9779 · July 12, 2015

Thankfully I have not had many problems and have not needed major warranty repair. But they can't void your warranty for modifications they have to prove they caused a malfunction. I would not worry about it

jasch1124 · July 13, 2015

I've done cat back exhausts on everything I've owned. No issues.

So you've installed a Cat-Back Exhaust System on a GM vehicle and the dealership has honored the warranty/maintenance plan?

MikeNH · July 13, 2015

So you've installed a Cat-Back Exhaust System on a GM vehicle and the dealership has honored the warranty/maintenance plan?

Maintenance plan didn't exist in 2011 and only warranty visit was the common failure of the TPS. No questions.

You have to be careful on turbo motors as exhaust work can make some run lean but I've been on vehicle enthusiast forums since 2003 for a half dozen different brands and have never read of a cat back causing warranty issues. GM sells a Borla one that is quite good. Buy that one if you're really worried but it is not something I'd even think twice about. I had my current Jeep taken apart doing exhaust and lighting upgrades with only a few hundred miles on it.

tnchevy · July 13, 2015

You can say it will not void the warranty all you want but if something happens and the engine goes bad they will try every way possible to not pay for it. An exhaust is an easy thing to point at even though we all know that would not be the problem. Some dealers are better than others but at the end of the day any modification you make where stock parts are swapped for non-approved parts then you are voiding all or part of your warranty.

KARNUT · July 13, 2015

Around here in Texas, the dealers put on lifts big tires, exhaust etc and charge more for it. Can't imagine them nocking off for it on a trade in.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

RobZ71LM7 · July 13, 2015

There are people on this forum that put superchargers on leased trucks, although I wouldn't recommend it.

jasch1124 · July 13, 2015

You can say it will not void the warranty all you want but if something happens and the engine goes bad they will try every way possible to not pay for it. An exhaust is an easy thing to point at even though we all know that would not be the problem. Some dealers are better than others but at the end of the day any modification you make where stock parts are swapped for non-approved parts then you are voiding all or part of your warranty.

My concern exactly!!!

MikeNH · July 13, 2015

You can not void all your warranty with a single part.

If you're that scared about it than don't do anything. But I've never given it a second thought and you shouldn't either.

tnchevy · July 13, 2015

But you can void the warranty if they claim that what ever went wrong was caused by the part you exchanged, added, modded, etc. You can prove them wrong but that would mean going to court over it. I'm all for modding a vehicle but if you are hesitant about it then you probably should wait. If it don't bother you then go ahead. I bought a new motorcycle a couple of years ago that also came with a 5 year power train warranty and within a few weeks it had new pipes, tuner, took out the oxygen sensors, and put a timing wheel on it. That was my choice and my dealer said he would do what he could if I did have a major problem but could not make any guarantees.

MikeNH · July 13, 2015

How many ways can I say it? YOU CANNOT VOID YOUR ENTIRE WARRANTY.

If you installed an exhaust, a dealer could deny claims related to the exhaust system. If your radio fails there would be no way for them to link that to the exhaust and deny it.

You seem to be scared of modding the vehicle. Either leave it stock or buy the GM-backed Borla kit from your dealer.