Enhanced Powertrain
When shopping for a used car, if you are offered any warranties at all, it will most likely be a powertrain warranty. But what does it actually mean?
In short, powertrain warranties cover everything that makes the vehicle move, including the engine, transmission, and all the parts that connect the power to the wheels.
Powertrain warranties are designed to provide peace of mind for consumers when purchasing a vehicle. They are offered by the seller and/or manufacturer to repair or fix an issue with the powertrain if it is not performing properly.
What is a Powertrain and Why Does It Matter?
The “powertrain” of a vehicle combines many different components, including:
Engine
Transmission
Driveshafts
Transfer Case (for all-wheel and four-wheel drive vehicles)
Differentials
Internal Working of the Engine
Engine coverage normally includes:
Cylinder Block and Heads
Internal Parts
Oil Pan
Valvetrain
Water, Fuel, and Oil Pump
Fuel Injectors
Gaskets and Seals
Flywheel
In addition to the main parts listed above, some powertrain warranties also cover things like:
Wheel Bearings and Hubs
Axle Shafts
Exhaust and Intake Manifolds
Other Parts
Basically, the powertrain system provides and converts power to the vehicle. The term “powertrain” can also be applied to motorcycles, boats, airplanes, and other pieces of machinery that use an engine for power.
In order for your vehicle to run, the engine has to create power for the car, which is then transmitted to the transmission. Learn how a transmission works.
The transmission takes the power that is created by the engine and transfers it to different gear ratios, transmitting is as torque.
Through the driveshaft in the vehicle’s transmission, the engine’s energy is transmitted to the wheels, which of course, moves the car forward or backward. Computer sensors help to transcribe information to the output sensors.
What Does a Powertrain Warranty Cover?
A powertrain warranty usually covers everything that is involved in the process of providing power to the wheels of your vehicle. This includes the most important and expensive parts of the vehicle: engine, driveshaft, and transmission.
If you are wondering if a part is covered by your powertrain warranty, ask yourself “does it make the car run forward or backward?” If you answer “yes,” it is probably covered by the powertrain warranty.
If your engine, transmission, or any other part that powers your vehicle stops working, a powertrain warranty will replace or repair the part at no cost to you.
Purchasing a used vehicle with a powertrain warranty gives you peace of mind that you are not buying a lemon. The powertrain warranty covers the vehicle’s most expensive equipment.
Often, they are also the longest lasting warranties. If a mechanical problem should arise, the powertrain warranty will normally cover it.
When shopping around for a used vehicle, always look for powertrain warranty information.