I've been emailing Kia Canada a lot of questions. I think they're getting annoyed with me. They replied that lots of my questions should be taken to the dealerships, where the expert technicians know the answers, etc. etc..
1st question was to verify which oil is min. requirement, oddly, Conventional oil of ONLY "SM and GF-4 or greaterif i can vary my oil changes, and
2nd of the issues I was pushing on is, if the manual says, as others posted here, if live up a mountain, or if live/drive in stop and go traffic, a lot, if drive where there's salt in the road, etc. etc...
- That's odd, as SM is an older certification level of oil, even before the SN level of oil grades.
They replied, yes only that conventional oil is warranty min. requirement. Which is freaking odd, since we now know about LSPI and carbon build up in GDI engines (especially w/turbos).
And they reminded me that I am in Canada !
So, I replied, so would Kia Canada not warranty a repair, if I change my oil every 6K kms (what my manual says), for severe conditions.. (what a stupid condition btw), and what if I change it every 8k - 10k kms in the warmer days ??? CAUSE, I don't live up a mountain, I don't drive in stop and go traffic, I don't make multi short drives thru out the day, as If I'm an Uber driver or delivery guy (which is what this would suggest, I guess). etc.. I only meet the winter/salt issue approx. 3 months a year !
I also told them, that I also will be using full synthetic, which is better than their min. conv. oil requirement, so would that be considered a good thing and allow me to not have to change every 6k kms, non-winter times ?
They replied:
In regards to your most recent questions, please note the following;
1. To maintain the warranty for your vehicle it is recommended that you follow the scheduled maintenance as noted in your vehicle owner’s manual. The warranty will not be void provided you can provide maintenance records that substantiates that the vehicle maintenance has been performed as outlined in your owners’ manual (Chapter 7). It is at your discretion if you choose to use synthetic or conventional oil.
2. However, as previously noted, if the required repair is determined to be necessary due to evidence of lack of maintenance, damage by external sources or vehicle misuse, the repair will not be considered warrantable and the cost to complete the repair will be the owner’s responsibility.
3. As previously communicated there are no engineers or a technical department within Kia Canada Inc. that can address some of your technical questions below; these questions can and should be addressed by your selling/ servicing Kia Dealership as they employ trained and certified technicians familiar with your vehicle, its proper maintenance and possess sound knowledge of the operating systems within your vehicle. (i.e. stop/ start functionality. This will also be described in your owner’s manual chapter 5- 103- chapter 5 106)
4. Aftermarket components; the Warranty and Consumer Information Manual speaks to modifications to the vehicle that may limit warranty coverage. Kia does not recommend any non-approved modification, service, or accessory as where it may cause a failure, the cost of that repair may not be covered under the Vehicle Warranty.
At this time Kia Canada Inc. suggests that you engage the competent and trained staff at your local Kia Dealership for any further assistance. Kia Dealership staff and technicians are Kia Canada Inc.’s on site experts and are in the best position to answer your questions specific to your vehicle.
and they also said to me:.... I guess they want to track me down now and have me on their "Special List" ? haha... I've asked lots of tech questions that dealers don't know so I can really know the car, especially since I've started a youtube channel to do car reviews and my Kia Stinger review will be out any day now.
** So I plan to change it 6K kms in winter months, and a min. 8k kms on milder weather months (Using Quality Synthetic SN Plus Oil) and if they ever not cover something they should, I'm sure the manual is in our favour, cause there's no salt April to Nov. Usually, in GTA area, depending on years, as this can vary. But hope to not ever get to that ! **
Side note, they min. warranty requirement is so stupid low, cause I've also reached out to 2 Canadian Oil Companies (Boss and Big Red) and they told me that all oil now have to meet a min. of SN Plus ratings, so most likely any shop that has up to date oils, if conventional or synthetic, will be SN Plus certified, anyways. So, we're all getting better / higher certified oils than warranty min. requires.... Why would Kia not be aware of this and due to carbon and LSPI, also just mention SN Plus ?? Odd..
Their reply in that same email.
We would request that you provide the following information to verify we have the correct contact information on file for your Kia Stinger. Please provide the following specific information;
· Vehicle Identification Number
· Full Name of Registered Owner (if other than yourself)
· Complete Mailing Address
· Contact Phone number
· Current Odometer Reading
· Name of Servicing Kia Dealer
To my Stinger Fam, manufacturers can be good and Aholes on warranty, so at least do it not past 10K kms and 6K kms in winter months and keep all receipts. They did say we can change oils ourselves, and again, keep receipts for proof of such.
Oh, one more thing, many places don't have air filters, oil filters on file yet, so I believe getting the oil filter from dealer is only place now ?
Anyone found any others that meet o.e.m requirements ?
and if you have or sign up for Air miles you save $0.03/L and can use your points for free fuel, car washes, etc to help offset the cost
