mods and warranties - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

mborofire · 05-19-2010, 07:02 PM

whats up gents... i have a few questions. I have a '08 SR5 4Runner V8 thats still under warranty. I have been getting mixed answers on this so I want to know what you guys think> The other day i decided to bring my runner to an exhaust shop and have the stock muffler cut off and I put on an after market turbo muffler designed by Lou's Custom Exhaust. They also cut off the resonator closest to the rear of the truck. Tomorrow I will be getting my K&N cold air intake put on. Big question is...Will ANY of these modifications void any warranties?? Engine or Exhaust?? Im pretty new at all this. I contacted toyota but got different info.
Also.. Do you guys think its safe to put on a K&N cold air intake considering I live in New England and we get a lot of water whether it be snow or rain?? Just afraid of vapor lock. Sry for the long post. Any info is GREATLY appreciated..Thanks!

***fourwd1*** · 05-19-2010, 07:16 PM

Dealers will use everything possible to void warranties, and you just gave them plenty of ammo.

kball · 05-19-2010, 09:49 PM

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act states:

"The federal minimum standards for full warranties are waived if the warrantor can show that the problem associated with a warranted consumer product was caused by damage while in the possession of the consumer, or by unreasonable use, including a failure to provide reasonable and necessary maintenance."

So basically they have to "prove" your use or modification caused the failure. If you put a K&N on there and then suck water into your intake and hydro lock the engine they could possibly "prove" your modified air filter let the water in where an OEM filter would not. That would be your loss. If you lift your truck and put 33" tires on it and it drops a valve they cannot void your drivetrain warranty because of your lift mod.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnuso...s_Warranty_Act

mborofire · 05-20-2010, 05:15 AM

Thanks for the info..big help. As for the cold air intake causing hydro lock, in your opinion, do you think it might not be such a good idea having a K&N put in if I live in new england?...we get a lot of rain...esp big heavy rain storms in the summer. im concerned because im a firefighter and would be forced to drive through whatever if my pager goes off.

kball · 05-20-2010, 07:53 AM

Hard to give advice on that. Never experienced New England weather. If its a drop in replacement K&N filter that uses the OEM airbox I'd say you're fine. If it's the performance type, they are more exposed. That could be a problem. I have a K&N FIPK on my Dodge truck and I've driven through plenty of rain over the past 10 years and never had a problem but... it's really up to you.

mborofire · 05-20-2010, 02:27 PM

thanks for tyhe reply. well i just had the performance K&N cold air intake put in by my local shop. the guys that i go to are really knowledgeable and helpful. they said not to be overly concearned about hydro-lock because the filter cone does not go into the wheel well on my runner. because of its position under the hood he said rain will be no problem. only problem would be if i decided to go off roading and submerged it in water...then i would have some issues. i really like the sound of my runner after having my turbo muffler put on as well as the K&N. i really noticed the throttle response when i pulled out of the parking lot today. best toy i ever owned.