random question: are hoses considered wear items?

[Jeff]

Turbo Dodges are famous for burning down because of old fuel lines. The way the lines are when they crack they blow fuel right on the side of the turbocharger (hot side) and it sounds like firecrackers until it gets to the fuel filter...then it sounds like a hand grenade. Then when it gets to the fuel tank....an A-bomb. Granted these hoses are 15+ years old. I replace ALL my rubber hoses when I acquire a TD I plan to keep. The problem with Kia and Hyundai is their "best warranty in America" is designed like most warranties to prevent as much loss as possible. What arises is people see all the marketing put behind this fabulous warranty and expect it to be so much better then the other companies, then they can't understand why almost everything is not covered after 30K or whatever. The only things really covered by the 100K are the hard drivetrain parts. Which easily and frequently make it to 100K regardless of the mark on the hood. "Wear" items are typically friction items and electrical items. Clutches, brakes, tires, and lightbulbs are usually the first things to go out. I assume one way these companies cut costs is defining anything that deteriorates rapidly as a "wear item." Another trick these 100K warranties pull is they demand that the major services (spark plug replacements, trans flushes) mentioned in the manual MUST be done at the dealership OR (before you freak out and lecture me on the law) be approved by the dealer as done by an outside shop. The dealer must be informed of this work as it is done by outside sources and they have the right to check your car, at their cost, to make sure it was done. If you don't report having had your trans flushed at Jiffy Lube, when your trans shits out before 100k, they simply say, "we have no record of your 60,000mile transmission flush, I'm sorry, we cannot cover that under our warranty." We've had 2 Kia sportages (total pieces of shit) that such a thing has occurred. Further, a friend of mine who lives the next building over almost had to pay $1500 for a transmission in his 2002 Kia, but he made a deal with the dealer that he would have his engine service done (timing belt, plugs, etc.) and they would force the warranty on the transmission though. It cost him $500...."NEVER buy a Kia" he tells me, he doesn't exactly know me all that well...lol.