Questions and Answers

Nissan Murano Aftermarket Exhaust Q. I have a brand new, bought late, 2003 Nissan Murano. I want to put an aftermarket exhaust on it with a new air filter to get a few more horsepower and a cool sound. I did the same thing to a 1989 Pontiac Grand Prix that I had and loved the results and had no problems. The Nissan people are saying that I will void the warranty.

I even bought an extended package because of the multiple computer systems that were so expensive to replace, according to the dealer, to replace. I want to know if I really run a risk of messing something up with an aftermarket exhaust such as an oxygen sensor chip or if that is a myth. Any help you can provide will be most appreciated.

Thank you very much,
RCW

A. Performance modifications will void the warranties on any vehicle. Most modifications will not adversely effect the vehicle, but there are some that do. So the manufacturers will not warranty a vehicle with any type of modification.

But there is a caveat here. The modification has to be related to the failed part. For instance, if you put on an aftermarket exhaust and the catalytic converter fails, that will not be covered by the warranty.

But, if you put on an aftermarket exhaust and the fuel pump fails, the fuel pump will be covered because the exhaust system has nothing to do with the fuel pump. Admittedly this is stretching the point, but that is what the company who is going to pay for that new fuel pump might say.

But an argument can be made that the new exhaust lowered the back pressure which lowered engine vacuum which raised the fuel pressure and made the fuel pump work harder and caused it to fail.

A "Super Chip" or some such modification can impact almost everything. These chips work by changing, and often exceeding, the engine operating parameters. So it can be reasonable argued that since the chip made, for example, the injectors work out of specifications, that they will not be covered by the warranty.

Doing modifications can be tricky on a new vehicle or one covered under an extended warranty. I would wait until all the warranties expire before doing any kind of modifications.