Dealer service needed in order for extended warranty to be covered?

[chunky_mike]

Hi all, quick question- I have a 2009 HL 2.7 w/ now 28k miles on it. I bought this car used after the advice of my trusted independent mechanic told me that it was time to sell my beloved Subie Outback after 77k miles. I would like to still have this mechanic service my new HL, but I'm also planning on purchasing an extended warranty for it. Does anyone know if there are any issues w/ using a non-dealer mechanic to do your servicing? This mechanic is highly trusted by our community, very ethical, and well reviewed on Angies List/Car guys. I'd hate to leave him, especially after I experienced some dealer gouging at my last Subaru dealership I was at. Any thoughts or experience on this?

I did take my car into the local dealership for some warranty service and they seemed to do it well, so if it comes down to it, I guess I'd be forced to do it, but I'd prefer to have my own mechanic do the service.

thanks!
Mike

[DavidHB]

you can do your own maintenance. just keep records of what you buy. take some pics doing the oil change though not necessary. warranty work of course would have to go the dealer. they would have to prove your negligence to deny a warranty claim and get away with it.

[JMSinMD]

No problem whatsoever. We've owned Toyota's since 1984 and have never taken them to the dealerships (except for warranty work). We've never had any issues.

If anyone tells you otherwise tell them to put that in writing, they won't.

[organ]

You mention "warranty service" and that you'd prefer your mechanic perform that function so its probably worth clarification on what you mean by "warranty service". Anything NOT covered by warranty you can have anyone do and use suitable parts from any source (fluid/filter changes, brakes, etc) Items covered under warranty can be subject to review if they are modified in a way which results in issues. So if you don't like the way your transmission shifts, for example, I would not recommend anyone other than Toyota look at it during the duration of the warranty.

[TrailDust]

Originally Posted by JMSinMD

No problem whatsoever. We've owned Toyota's since 1984 and have never taken them to the dealerships (except for warranty work). We've never had any issues.

If anyone tells you otherwise tell them to put that in writing, they won't.

What he said.