Will Changing My Own Brake Pads Void My Warranty?

The Short Answer: It Depends (But Mostly No)

Let’s get right to it. In most cases, changing your own brake pads will NOT void your car warranty. Thanks to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (yep, that’s a mouthful), car manufacturers can't deny you warranty coverage just because you decided to turn a wrench yourself.

But—and this is important—there are conditions. Like, if you mess something up during the install or use super cheap aftermarket parts that damage other systems? Then yeah, that could be a problem.

Understanding the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act

What the heck is it?

Enacted in 1975, this U.S. federal law basically says:

A car manufacturer cannot require you to use their parts or service to keep your warranty valid.

In plain terms? You can DIY your own brake job, or go to an independent mechanic, and your warranty should stay intact—as long as the work is done properly.

Still, some dealerships might give you a hard time. Not all of them play fair.

When it does NOT protect you

• If your repair directly causes damage to another system (e.g. brake fluid leaks onto electronics).

• If you use incorrect parts, or install them the wrong way.

• If you ignore manufacturer service intervals and something fails as a result.

It’s not a get-out-of-jail-free card. It's more like, “We won’t blame you just for using your own tools."

DIY vs Dealer: Who's Watching?

Okay, so let’s say you swap your pads in your garage on a Saturday. Nobody’s filming it. Will the dealer ever know?

Honestly... probably not—unless something goes wrong and they have to diagnose it.

Evidence of tampering

Dealers might look for:

• Rounded or stripped bolts

• Missing shims or clips

• Wrong-sized pads (yes, it happens)

• Signs of uneven wear

If they suspect the brake issue came from your DIY job, they can try to deny that part of the warranty coverage. But they have to prove it.

Real-World Example (Yeah, This Happened)

Back in 2019, I changed my pads on a ‘17 Honda Accord. Used solid aftermarket ceramic pads—no problems there. But I accidentally pinched the ABS wire near the caliper (long story), and it caused a fault code later on.

Dealer saw it, flagged it, and wouldn’t cover the repair under warranty. Fair? Maybe. But I learned the hard way: one small mistake can cost you.

Lesson? Double-check everything. Take pics. Keep receipts for the parts. That stuff matters.

Using Aftermarket Brake Pads: Good or Bad?

Are they allowed?

Yes. Totally. As long as they meet or exceed OEM specifications. Some aftermarket pads even perform better than stock ones, especially performance or ceramic options.

When to be cautious

If you go for cheap no-name brands off a sketchy site, and they squeal, warp, or mess with your rotors… that’s on you.

Also, if your car is under a “bumper-to-bumper” warranty, and the dealer sees non-OEM pads causing issues with braking sensors or calipers, they might push back.

Pro tip? Stick with reputable brands—like Wagner, Akebono, EBC, or Bosch.

What You Should Do to Protect Your Warranty

• Keep detailed records: part receipts, installation dates, even photos of your install.

• Use a torque wrench (seriously—don’t eyeball it).

• Follow your owner’s manual for torque specs and maintenance intervals.

• Avoid doing it in flip-flops. (Kidding… sorta.)

Final Thoughts (OK, Maybe I Changed My Mind a Bit)

At first I was like, “Yeah, go for it, swap those pads.” And I still believe that—for most people who know what they’re doing, it’s safe and totally legal.

But the more I think about it, the more I realize: it’s also easy to overlook a small step. And small mistakes can lead to big bills if the dealer finds a reason to deny coverage.

So if you're comfortable with tools and take your time? Do it.
If you're the kind of person who mixes up caliper bolts and pizza cutters? Maybe just let the shop handle it.

Either way: your warranty isn’t a prison—but it does have some rules.

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How tall is a average 15 year old?

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Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

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Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

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Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.