Guide: What Is a Powertrain Warranty?

What Does the Powertrain Warranty Cover?

When one of the main components of your vehicle, such as engine or transmission, fails, it is real trouble. Especially when you are stuck on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck, guesstimating the sums of money you will have to spend on repairs.

While proper car maintenance is good support for your car health, you can’t prevent all breakdowns. This is particularly true for used vehicles that have undergone more wear and tear. Even if you buy a car at a good dealership after a thorough inspection, a powertrain warranty is a good thing to protect you from unexpected expenses. Btw, some people refer to it as a basic warranty, when in fact they mean powertrain, and others call it a lifetime power-train warranty, which is not accurate.

The powertrain warranty is one of the longest-lasting, but not the lifetime. What exactly does it cover? Let’s figure it out.

Parts Covered by the Powertrain Warranty

A powertrain system consists of several components. Most warranties generally cover the following areas:

Engine

The engine is one of the two main parts of the powertrain. Inside the engine, one type of energy (fuel combustion energy, electrical energy, etc.) is converted into mechanical energy needed to move the vehicle.

A powertrain warranty typically covers all engine parts, including the crankshaft, gears, pistons, exhaust valves, timing belts, and oil pump. Engine problems are the most expensive to repair, so try to get all this covered by a warranty.

Transmission

A transmission is a system of units and mechanisms that transmit momentum from the engine to wheels. In other words, the transmission allows your car to run in different gears, making it efficient at different speeds.

The correct operation of the transmission system influences on:

• safety of the driver and passengers;
• fuel consumption;
• wear of rubbing parts in contact with each other;
• compliance of technical characteristics with the information declared by the manufacturer.

When reading the transmission warranty, see what parts it covers. Some will cover all units, and some may not cover some items, such as electrical ones. Knowing what your transmission warranty covers will help you avoid unexpected expenses when it is time to pay your repair bill.

Front- and Rear-Wheel Drive Systems

When the engine creates torque, the transmission transfers it to the front or rear wheels, depending on whether the car has front- or rear-wheel drive. While some repairs of this system are not that expensive, others can be quite costly, so full coverage is the best option.

Most warranties cover the entire front- and rear-wheel drive system, including axle housing, axle shafts, and all internal parts. However, it is never redundant to read the fine print of the powertrain warranty to make sure these things are covered.

Gaskets, Seals, and Other Internal Parts

The powertrain system consists of many small parts. If something goes wrong with one of them, it could lead to leaks or performance issues. These repairs are usually not overly expensive, but it would be useful to cover them anyway.

Powertrain Warranty on Hybrid Cars

How are hybrid vehicles doing on this issue? Typically, each component of a hybrid powertrain has its own warranty, which is independent of the overall powertrain warranty. These vary from one car manufacturer to another, but some of them provide quite extensive warranties. For example, Hyundai offers a long-lasting warranty on its hybrid powertrain components, while Toyota warranties are 10 years and 150,000 miles.

What Is a Powertrain Warranty?

In simple terms, the powertrain warranty covers the cost of replacing all parts of the vehicle that provide power and drive. Typically, the list includes the engine, transmission, and gearbox. If any of these components fail within a specified period, the manufacturer will pay for repairs or provide a replacement.

Like other warranties, coverage for powertrain repairs is limited in time or mileage, whichever comes first. However, this type of guarantee usually lasts longer than others.

Korean automakers (Kia & Hyundai) typically offer a 10-year or 10,000-mile warranty, whichever comes first. However, if you buy a powertrain warranty, it will protect you as long as you own the vehicle.

So a powertrain warranty can give you some peace of mind when driving a used car, knowing that if you need a powertrain overhaul, you won’t have to pay for it unexpectedly.

Benefits of Advanced Engine Warranty

In addition to the evident benefits of significant savings in case of a breakdown, having a powertrain warranty will also bring you some bonuses when the time to sell your car comes. Such a warranty is still valid even after you sell your vehicle. Your potential buyers will be protected against major repairs, so they are likely to pay a little more for the used car.

Who Has the Best Powertrain Warranty?

Powertrain coverage may last years longer than other warranties. If you are considering what brands offer the best powertrain warranty, here is the list of those who can please you in this regard:

• Hyundai, Genesis . With this brand, you will get 10 years or 100,000 miles of warranty for all powertrains, including electric and hybrid vehicles.
• Kia. This manufacturer can boast the best warranty value and the same 10 years or 100,000 miles for the powertrain.
• Mitsubishi brand doesn’t lag behind the competitors and offers 10 years or 100,000 miles for powertrain too.
• Jaguar . The best luxury car warranty – 8 years and 100,00 miles for electric vehicle batteries; 5 years or 60,000 miles for the powertrain.
• FCA brands: Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Ram. With any of these cars, you will get 5 years or 60,000 miles for the powertrain.

What’s Not Covered by a Powertrain Warranty?

Unfortunately, such a warranty does not include payment for the repair or replacement of worn couplings, joints, and pads. These parts will wear out during average vehicle use and are therefore not covered by the warranty. Components such as the battery are also not covered under warranty but sometimes have their own.

The power train warranty may also be void in some circumstances. For example, it will not cover your vehicle if you are involved in an accident or collision. In addition, some warranties require proper care of the system. Improper or insufficient service as specified in the contract may result in loss of warranty.

Finally, the warranty may not take effect if you make any changes to the engine or transmission. Therefore, it is vital to read the manufacturer’s recommendations and warranty policy before making any updates.

Used Cars with Valid Power Train Warranty in Indianapolis

To find a reliable vehicle with a valid powertrain warranty, please, visit the Indy Auto Man used car dealership, Indianapolis. At our car lot, you may find used sedans, hatchbacks, SUVs, and minivans for every taste and budget. Have a look at our inventory online and check the models available. We have more than 50 new arrivals each week, so don’t miss your chance to be first to book the best car for a test drive and buy it.