General information only. This page summarizes Sym-Tech's Drive-Ahead brochure (February 2026) and contract wording (form DA AT MBP WAR 20260220 E) as we read them on September 28, 2026. It isn't a contract or an offer of coverage, and it isn't legal advice. Coverage and terms can vary by province and change between contract editions. Where this page and your contract differ, your contract governs. Auto Warranty Experts is not the warranty provider or administrator.
More about the company behind this plan: Sym-Tech warranty coverage in Canada.
Drive-Ahead at a glance
| Standard | Standard Plus | Serenity | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What's covered | 8 named groups: engine, transmission, differentials, cooling, electronic injection, turbo/supercharger, seals and rings, transfer case | Standard, plus brakes, electrical, electronic ignition, steering, CV joints, wheel bearings, air conditioning and a list of other parts | Standard Plus, plus listed hybrid and electronics parts, plus any other part the contract doesn't exclude |
| Limit per claim | $3,000 | $5,000 | $6,000 |
| Total limit over the contract | $3,000 | $10,000 | $15,000 |
| Towing, roadside, rental, lodging | Included | Included | Included |
| Deductible | Shown on your contract | Shown on your contract | Shown on your contract |
The contract states these limits plus taxes. In every tier, total claims also can't exceed what you paid for the vehicle or its market value. Your term and kilometres are shown on your quote and contract.
Who it's for. Drive-Ahead is sold for new and pre-owned vehicles. Standard and Standard Plus take any model year and any odometer reading. Serenity is for vehicles 7 model years old or newer with under 140,000 km. Drive-Ahead is a one-time purchase and can't be financed.
If "named parts" and "exclusion-based" coverage are new terms, see exclusionary vs. named-component coverage.
What's covered
Drive-Ahead covers original, factory-installed parts. When a covered part breaks down, it pays for the diagnosis and the repair or replacement, less your deductible. Sym-Tech chooses the replacement parts, which may be new, used or retooled.
All tiers (Standard: components 1 to 8)
- Engine (gas or diesel): the block and internal lubricated parts, including the crankshaft, pistons, connecting rods, camshaft, cylinder head and head gasket, valves, timing chain and gears, intake and exhaust manifolds and oil pump.
- Transmission (automatic or manual): the case and internal lubricated parts, including the torque converter and valve body. On manual transmissions, this includes the clutch master and slave cylinders.
- Front and rear differential: internal parts, axle shafts, universal joints and drive shafts.
- Cooling system: engine oil cooler, water pump and pulley.
- Electronic injection system: gas pump, fuel pressure regulator and injectors.
- Turbo/supercharger: the case (if damaged from inside) and internal parts.
- Seals and rings, when replaced during the repair of a covered part.
- Transfer case (4WD/AWD): the case and internal lubricated parts.
Standard Plus adds (components 9 to 16)
- Brakes: master cylinder, power brake booster, wheel cylinders, calipers, proportioning valve and hand brake cables.
- Electrical: alternator, starter, wiper motors, washer pumps and fan motor.
- Electronic ignition: ignition module, control and coils.
- Steering: rack and pinion, power steering pump, cooler and hoses.
- Traction: CV joints (not the boots).
- Wheel bearings, front and rear.
- Air conditioning: compressor, clutch and pulley, condenser and evaporator.
- Other parts: engine and heater radiators, radiator fan motor, window and seat motors, many switches, stabilizer links, bushings and ball joints.
Serenity adds (components 17 and 18, and more)
- Hybrid vehicles: control modules, inverter and converter. The high-voltage battery and high-voltage cables are excluded.
- Factory-installed electronics: sensors, cruise control, multifunction screen, GPS navigation, radio and sound system, back-up camera, Bluetooth phone, keyless entry, remote starter and anti-theft.
- Any other part of the vehicle, except the parts and situations the contract excludes.
Benefits included in every tier
| Benefit | What the contract pays |
|---|---|
| Towing | Up to $175 per event, taxes included |
| Roadside (boost, flat tire, fuel delivery, lockout) | Up to $100 per event, up to 4 events a year. You pay for the fuel itself |
| Rental while in the shop | Up to $60 a day plus tax, up to 5 days. The vehicle must be out of use more than 8 hours for an eligible repair, and Sym-Tech must authorize the rental first |
| Lodging and meals | Up to $100 a day plus tax, up to 3 days, when the repair shop is more than 200 km from home and the vehicle is out of use more than 8 hours |
The brochure sums these up as "up to $700 for towing," "up to $400 for other roadside assistance services," "up to $300" for rental and "up to $300" for lodging and meals. The table shows the per-event and per-day limits from the contract.
Deductible, limits and term
- Deductible: the amount shown on your contract. You pay it once per breakdown, even if the repair takes more than one visit.
- Per claim: the lesser of the repair cost or the replacement cost of the covered part, less the deductible, up to your tier's per-claim limit.
- Over the contract: your tier's total limit. Total claims also can't exceed what you paid for the vehicle or its market value.
- Term and kilometres: shown on your quote and contract.
- Optional refund at expiry (Reimbursement Guarantee): if this option is selected on your application, you can ask for some or all of the price back when the contract expires. You must be the original owner and must not have used any benefit other than roadside assistance. The written request has to reach Sym-Tech within 30 days of expiry. The refund is the lesser of the price you paid or the maximum shown on your application.
Things to know before you buy
- When coverage starts. Coverage takes effect after Sym-Tech approves your application. On a new vehicle, it starts the day after the manufacturer's warranty ends. On a pre-owned vehicle, it starts on the 31st day after you buy the vehicle or the day after the manufacturer's warranty ends, whichever is later.
- Keep your paperwork. You or the dealership must keep a copy of the pre-delivery inspection (PDI). Keep the manufacturer's warranty in force for its full term, have the vehicle serviced routinely, and keep service receipts that show the date and the work done.
- Authorized repair centres only. The brochure says coverage applies at any licensed shop. The contract adds that before any repair, the shop must confirm with Sym-Tech that it is an authorized repair centre and get an authorization number. Repairs done without prior authorization aren't covered.
- Wear and tear. The contract excludes damage from normal wear and tear and from deterioration through normal use, including loss of engine compression and oil consumption. It also excludes damage not caused by a manufacturing or material defect. This matters most on higher-kilometre vehicles.
- Pre-existing problems are excluded, as is damage from accidents, weather, rust and other outside causes.
- Parts that aren't covered, in any tier: tires, drive belts, shock absorbers, batteries, bulbs, fuses, clutch disc and plate, brake pads, discs and drums, electrical wiring, windows, wipers, hybrid high-voltage batteries and cables, airbags, TPMS and SRS, air suspension, universal joints, muffler and catalytic converter, oxygen sensors, maintenance items, body, trim, frame and wheels.
- Original parts only. Damage caused by parts that aren't original factory-installed, or by modifications and parts that don't meet the manufacturer's specifications, isn't covered.
- How the vehicle is used. Commercial use isn't covered, and neither are taxi, public transit, police, ambulance, firefighting, snow removal, towing, racing or overloading.
- Vehicle condition. Vehicles declared seriously damaged, unregistered vehicles, vehicles that don't meet Canadian standards, and vehicles with a tampered or non-working odometer aren't covered.
- Other coverage comes first. Drive-Ahead doesn't pay for repairs that a manufacturer's warranty or other coverage is responsible for.
- Where it applies. Canada and the United States, while the vehicle is located there.
How a claim works
- Stop driving if continuing could cause more damage. Damage from driving on isn't covered.
- Go to a repair facility. Before any work, the shop calls Sym-Tech at 1-888-363-1101 to confirm it is an authorized repair centre and to get an authorization number for the repair.
- Approve any teardown. If the shop needs to take something apart to find the cause, you authorize it and pay for it if the failure isn't covered. Sym-Tech may inspect the vehicle first, at your expense.
- Confirm what's approved with the shop before the repair goes ahead. Any extra amount needs Sym-Tech's approval first.
- Pay your deductible. Sym-Tech pays the repair centre the approved amount, less the deductible. Repair receipts must reach Sym-Tech within 45 days of the repair.
Transfer and cancellation
- Transfer: once, only when you sell the vehicle privately. It can't be transferred if the vehicle is sold or traded to a dealership or another business that sells vehicles. Within 30 days of the sale, the original owner sends Sym-Tech the original application and contract, a written transfer request, the $100 fee (plus tax) and all maintenance and repair receipts. Sym-Tech may refuse a transfer for serious reasons.
- Cancellation: within 30 days of purchase, if no repair has been authorized, you get a refund less a $100 administration fee plus tax. If the vehicle is declared a total loss by an insurer, you get a pro-rated refund less the same fee and any claims paid. To cancel, notify the dealership named on your application. Sym-Tech may also end the contract for serious reasons.
Common questions about Drive-Ahead
What is the difference between Drive-Ahead Standard, Standard Plus and Serenity?
The tiers differ in how many parts they cover and how much they pay. Standard covers the engine, transmission, differentials, cooling system, electronic injection system, turbo/supercharger, seals and rings, and transfer case, with a $3,000 total limit. Standard Plus adds brakes, electrical, electronic ignition, steering, CV joints, wheel bearings, air conditioning and other listed parts, with limits of $5,000 per claim and $10,000 in total. Serenity covers any part the contract doesn't exclude, including listed hybrid and electronics parts, with limits of $6,000 per claim and $15,000 in total. The contract states these limits plus taxes.
When does Drive-Ahead coverage start?
After Sym-Tech approves your application. On a new vehicle, coverage starts the day after the manufacturer's warranty ends. On a pre-owned vehicle, it starts on the 31st day after you buy the vehicle or the day after the manufacturer's warranty ends, whichever is later. Repairs for problems that existed before coverage started aren't covered.
Can I use my own mechanic with Drive-Ahead?
Only if Sym-Tech authorizes that shop for the repair. The brochure says coverage applies at any licensed shop, but the contract governs. The contract says the repair must be done at a dealership or repair facility authorized by Sym-Tech, and the shop must call Sym-Tech to confirm that and get an authorization number before starting any repair. Repairs done without that authorization aren't covered.
Is there a deductible on Drive-Ahead?
Yes. The amount is shown on your contract, and you pay it once per breakdown even if the repair takes more than one visit. The towing, roadside, rental and lodging benefits are paid separately up to their own limits.
What isn't covered by Drive-Ahead?
No tier covers routine maintenance, normal wear and tear or deterioration, pre-existing problems, damage from accidents or the weather, or repairs done without Sym-Tech's prior authorization. The contract also excludes tires, batteries, brake pads, discs and drums, clutches, shock absorbers, hybrid high-voltage batteries and cables, airbags and TPMS, parts that aren't original factory-installed, and commercial use. Serenity covers more parts than the other tiers, but the same exclusions apply.
Can I cancel or transfer Drive-Ahead?
You can cancel within 30 days of purchase if no repair has been authorized, for a refund less a $100 administration fee plus tax. If the vehicle is declared a total loss, you get a pro-rated refund less the same fee and any claims paid. You can transfer the contract once when you sell the vehicle privately, within 30 days of the sale, for $100 plus tax, with your maintenance receipts. It can't be transferred to a dealership or other vehicle business.
Can I get my money back if I never make a claim?
Only if the Reimbursement Guarantee option was selected on your application. In that case, the original owner can ask in writing within 30 days after the contract expires, as long as no benefit other than roadside assistance was used. The refund is the lesser of the price you paid or the maximum shown on your application.
Can Drive-Ahead be financed?
No. Drive-Ahead is a one-time purchase and can't be financed. The price on your quote is shown plus tax.
Questions about your quote?
If you're looking at Drive-Ahead because it came up in a quote from us, reply to the email from your Auto Warranty Experts contact. We're happy to walk through the tiers and what they'd mean for your vehicle. Every price we quote is in writing, shown plus tax and held for seven days. It's free and there's no obligation.
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Related: Sym-Tech warranty coverage in Canada · Warranties for used and high-km cars
Auto Warranty Experts is operated by Sault Nissan, an Ontario motor vehicle dealer registered with OMVIC. We are not the warranty provider. Drive-Ahead is a trademark of its owner.
Published September 30, 2026 · Last reviewed September 30, 2026. General information from the provider's published documents, not legal advice and not a substitute for your contract, which governs. Program names are trademarks of their owners.