If you install the trans dipstick, will it void your warranty?

[KARNUT]

My wife’s 2011 is the only vehicle I currently have that doesn’t have a dipstick. It’s parked in the garage every night. Unless I see a spot I wouldn’t pull the stick. When I take it in for service I watch them pull the plug. If I still did my own oil changes it would be just another plug to pull to check. Ever notice you really don’t get a true reading on the transmission dipstick? Especially if you add fluid. Unlike oil it goes in the check tube. The last time I did a transmission oil change I drew from the dip stick. I measured and put that amount back in. Most people probably mess the transmission fluid check up. Unless you have a leak you don’t need to pull the stick. If you do you probably wouldn’t get an accurate read anyway. There’s a few things that come into play to get it right. For most people they did you a favor. The rest have no problem figuring it out.

[newdude]

I can see how.  As much as its GM parts being used, its technically an "aftermarket modification".  It was NOT built with one from the factory.

 

So the grounds would be on if the transmission were smoked, the argument could be made quite clearly that the customer installed an "aftermarket" dipstick and used it to check the fluid level of the transmission and may have set the level wrong which smoked the transmission. 

 

GM has the level check plug in the pan to correctly set the fluid level.  The grounds they can stand on denying warranty?  The pan is NOT the same pan as a 11-19 6L90 (which its not) and therefore the dipstick is NOT a validated method for level checking.   

Edited February 20, 2024 by newdude

[Pryme]

53 minutes ago, KARNUT said:

My wife’s 2011 is the only vehicle I currently have that doesn’t have a dipstick. It’s parked in the garage every night. Unless I see a spot I wouldn’t pull the stick. When I take it in for service I watch them pull the plug. If I still did my own oil changes it would be just another plug to pull to check. Ever notice you really don’t get a true reading on the transmission dipstick? Especially if you add fluid. Unlike oil it goes in the check tube. The last time I did a transmission oil change I drew from the dip stick. I measured and put that amount back in. Most people probably mess the transmission fluid check up. Unless you have a leak you don’t need to pull the stick. If you do you probably wouldn’t get an accurate read anyway. There’s a few things that come into play to get it right. For most people they did you a favor. The rest have no problem figuring it out.

I think it’s more useful to quickly check the condition of the fluid vs the level. Say you’re towing super heavy in tough conditions, easy to pull the stick and see and smell the fluid. 

[Pryme]

25 minutes ago, newdude said:

I can see how.  As much as its GM parts being used, its technically an "aftermarket modification".  It was NOT built with one from the factory.

 

So the grounds would be on if the transmission were smoked, the argument could be made quite clearly that the customer installed an "aftermarket" dipstick and used it to check the fluid level of the transmission and may have set the level wrong which smoked the transmission. 

 

GM has the level check plug in the pan to correctly set the fluid level.  The grounds they can stand on denying warranty?  The pan is NOT the same pan as a 11-19 6L90 (which its not) and therefore the dipstick is NOT a validated method for level checking.   

I thought about this and luckily it seems the levels work out. 

[newdude]

38 minutes ago, Pryme said:

I thought about this and luckily it seems the levels work out. 

 

 

That may be, but, its still grounds on GM's side to block a warranty.  

Edited February 20, 2024 by newdude

[KARNUT]

32 minutes ago, Pryme said:

I think it’s more useful to quickly check the condition of the fluid vs the level. Say you’re towing super heavy in tough conditions, easy to pull the stick and see and smell the fluid. 

I did and using Amsoil transmission fluid put that worry to bed. One example. We had a 88 ford 7.3 diesel one ton. The transmission went out at 100K miles. The transmission fluid was changed to Amsoil transmission fluid. And additional 180K miles was put on doing the same pulling a fifth wheel. No problems. Most all trucks have transmission temperature gauges now. There’s no better indication for transmission life. You run high temperatures change the oil frequently. 

[Jettech1]

15 hours ago, newdude said:

 

 

That may be, but, its still grounds on GM's side to block a warranty.  

Ouch, that would hurt if the warranty was indeed blocked.  I think I'm going to avoid this mod.  The last thing I need is another reason to void my warranty.  Thanks @newdude

[Jettech1]

16 hours ago, newdude said:

I can see how.  As much as its GM parts being used, its technically an "aftermarket modification".  It was NOT built with one from the factory.

 

So the grounds would be on if the transmission were smoked, the argument could be made quite clearly that the customer installed an "aftermarket" dipstick and used it to check the fluid level of the transmission and may have set the level wrong which smoked the transmission. 

 

GM has the level check plug in the pan to correctly set the fluid level.  The grounds they can stand on denying warranty?  The pan is NOT the same pan as a 11-19 6L90 (which its not) and therefore the dipstick is NOT a validated method for level checking.   

Thank you sir for your advice on this.  I had no idea the pans were different.  You truly are a gem here and very much appreciated!

[Jettech1]

@newdude I have one more question that I've read before and it doesn't sound right but it could be a real thing.  That is, if I get my trans fluid changed at the dealership at 30k miles, it will extend my trans warranty.  Is that true or is that just something that is floating around in space that someone said that somehow stuck?

[newdude]

11 hours ago, Jettech1 said:

Ouch, that would hurt if the warranty was indeed blocked.  I think I'm going to avoid this mod.  The last thing I need is another reason to void my warranty.  Thanks @newdude

 

11 hours ago, Jettech1 said:

Thank you sir for your advice on this.  I had no idea the pans were different.  You truly are a gem here and very much appreciated!

 

 

I should add to this.  The main reason the pan is different is because of the level check plug and the little stem it screws into.  The stem is set to the correct height for the fluid when performing the level check procedure (temperature to check the level at and if the thermostat has to open first or not before checking). 

 

So being GM switched to the pan check plug for setting the fluid level, that is regarded as the only valid way per their engineering choice they made.  Therefore, it would be grounds for them to say that if the customer installed a dipstick which the truck was not engineered with from the factory, that it's considered an aftermarket modification on which they can stand on for denying transmission repair under warranty because the fluid level was not being checked via their approved method.    

 

 

10 hours ago, Jettech1 said:

@newdude I have one more question that I've read before and it doesn't sound right but it could be a real thing.  That is, if I get my trans fluid changed at the dealership at 30k miles, it will extend my trans warranty.  Is that true or is that just something that is floating around in space that someone said that somehow stuck?

 

 

Sounds like they sell BG (or some other) service lane products.  BG offers their own lifetime protection package when you use their products, which in turn would "extend" the warranty past 5yr/60k as it would now be backed under BG's coverage.  They cover up to $2000 in transmission repairs and to maintain it, you must follow the BG 30,000mi interval.  It is NOT a GM factory warranty or GM factory warranty extension.   

 

 

From BG for transmission service:

SERVICE INTERVAL:

30,000 miles (50,000 km)

MAXIMUM COVERAGE:

Plan 1: $2,000Plan 2: $1,000

TRANSMISSION SERVICE with BG 106 and 310; or BG 106 and 3106 for smaller capacity automatic transmissions.

What is covered? Lubricated parts within the transmission housing or case only when damaged by an internally lubricated part covered under this Plan. Not covered: Leaking transmission seals and gaskets; electrical components, such as solenoids.

 

 

As far as GM is concerned, their severe service schedule calls for the transmission fluid and filter to be changed every 45,000mi, and the transfer case every 22,500mi.  More often than not, a majority of cars in the US fall under severe service.  

Edited February 21, 2024 by newdude

[Jettech1]

3 hours ago, newdude said:

 

 

 

I should add to this.  The main reason the pan is different is because of the level check plug and the little stem it screws into.  The stem is set to the correct height for the fluid when performing the level check procedure (temperature to check the level at and if the thermostat has to open first or not before checking). 

 

So being GM switched to the pan check plug for setting the fluid level, that is regarded as the only valid way per their engineering choice they made.  Therefore, it would be grounds for them to say that if the customer installed a dipstick which the truck was not engineered with from the factory, that it's considered an aftermarket modification on which they can stand on for denying transmission repair under warranty because the fluid level was not being checked via their approved method.    

 

 

 

 

Sounds like they sell BG (or some other) service lane products.  BG offers their own lifetime protection package when you use their products, which in turn would "extend" the warranty past 5yr/60k as it would now be backed under BG's coverage.  They cover up to $2000 in transmission repairs and to maintain it, you must follow the BG 30,000mi interval.  It is NOT a GM factory warranty or GM factory warranty extension.   

 

 

From BG for transmission service:

SERVICE INTERVAL:

30,000 miles (50,000 km)

MAXIMUM COVERAGE:

Plan 1: $2,000Plan 2: $1,000

TRANSMISSION SERVICE with BG 106 and 310; or BG 106 and 3106 for smaller capacity automatic transmissions.

What is covered? Lubricated parts within the transmission housing or case only when damaged by an internally lubricated part covered under this Plan. Not covered: Leaking transmission seals and gaskets; electrical components, such as solenoids.

 

 

As far as GM is concerned, their severe service schedule calls for the transmission fluid and filter to be changed every 45,000mi, and the transfer case every 22,500mi.  More often than not, a majority of cars in the US fall under severe service.  

WOW!!  I don't know how much they are paying you but I can almost promise you it's not enough.  Thank you so much for sharing your in depth knowledge.  Just wow!!!

[Grumpy Bear]

On 2/20/2024 at 7:30 AM, newdude said:

I can see how.  As much as its GM parts being used, its technically an "aftermarket modification".  It was NOT built with one from the factory.

 

Magnuson Moss and again. This is no different than using an aftermarket filter or Doorman lug nuts. The OEMs burden of proof is not that you are using an aftermarket part, but that the part DIRECTLY CAUSED the failure. The proof is on the OEM, not you. If this were not the case then fuzzy dice from the mirror could cause a warranty failure. It's the law. 

[bruceb58]

I knew the 10 speed had the level indicator built into the pan. Didn't realize the 6 speed did....agree, no need for a dipstick and would be a detriment to add a dipstick.

Edited February 22, 2024 by bruceb58

[newdude]

12 hours ago, Grumpy Bear said:

 

but that the part DIRECTLY CAUSED the failure. The proof is on the OEM, not you. 

 

 

The proof would be on the customer to prove that their added part is accurate in the level check of the fluid.  GM engineered a different pan with the fluid level check plug and stem pipe that is set to the level.  The dispstick add is an alteration to the vehicle done after final assembly, and these trucks are now designed and engineered to use the pan plug as the fluid set method.    

 

Its really easy on the OEM do deny warranty repair on this one for transmission failure or shift driveability concerns because an unapproved method was used to "set the fluid level" of the transmission therefore can't be considered accurate.  Every forum and Facebook group loves the ol' Magnuson Moss defense but its not always applied or interpreted right.  

 

static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10242206-0001.pdf

 

What Is Not Covered

 

 

Damage Due to Accident, Misuse, or Alteration

The New Vehicle Limited Warranty does not cover damage caused as the result of any of the following:

 

• Collision, fire, theft, freezing, vandalism, riot, explosion, or objects striking the vehicle
• Misuse of the vehicle such as driving over curbs, overloading, racing, or other competition. Proper vehicle use is discussed in the owner manual.
• Alteration, modification, or tampering to the vehicle, including, but not limited to the body, chassis, powertrain, driveline, software, or other components after final assembly by GM.
• Coverages do not apply if the odometer has been disconnected, its reading has been altered, or mileage cannot be determined.
• Installation of non-GM (General Motors) parts
• Water or fluid contamination
• Damage resulting from hail, floods, windstorms, lightning, and other environmental conditions
• Alteration of glass parts by application of tinting films

Edited February 22, 2024 by newdude

[Pryme]

2 hours ago, newdude said:

 

 

The proof would be on the customer to prove that their added part is accurate in the level check of the fluid.  GM engineered a different pan with the fluid level check plug and stem pipe that is set to the level.  The dispstick add is an alteration to the vehicle done after final assembly, and these trucks are now designed and engineered to use the pan plug as the fluid set method.    

 

Its really easy on the OEM do deny warranty repair on this one for transmission failure or shift driveability concerns because an unapproved method was used to "set the fluid level" of the transmission therefore can't be considered accurate.  Every forum and Facebook group loves the ol' Magnuson Moss defense but its not always applied or interpreted right.  

 

static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10242206-0001.pdf

 

What Is Not Covered

 

 

Damage Due to Accident, Misuse, or Alteration

The New Vehicle Limited Warranty does not cover damage caused as the result of any of the following:

 

• Collision, fire, theft, freezing, vandalism, riot, explosion, or objects striking the vehicle
• Misuse of the vehicle such as driving over curbs, overloading, racing, or other competition. Proper vehicle use is discussed in the owner manual.
• Alteration, modification, or tampering to the vehicle, including, but not limited to the body, chassis, powertrain, driveline, software, or other components after final assembly by GM.
• Coverages do not apply if the odometer has been disconnected, its reading has been altered, or mileage cannot be determined.
• Installation of non-GM (General Motors) parts
• Water or fluid contamination
• Damage resulting from hail, floods, windstorms, lightning, and other environmental conditions
• Alteration of glass parts by application of tinting films

So this would only apply to someone who drained and refilled based on the dipstick reading. If someone does the mod on a factory stock truck, the level is already set from the manufacturer.(not that that means a hill of beans they can’t seem to get other capacities filled properly on the truck)