(a) The manufacturer shall take steps reasonably calculated to make consumers aware of the arbitration program's existence at the time consumers experience warranty disputes.

(b) Nothing contained in this subchapter shall limit the manufacturer's option to encourage consumers to seek redress directly from the manufacturer as long as the manufacturer does not expressly require consumers to seek redress directly from the manufacturer. The manufacturer shall proceed fairly and expeditiously to attempt to resolve all disputes submitted directly to the manufacturer.

(c) Whenever a dispute is submitted directly to the manufacturer, the manufacturer shall, within a reasonable time, decide whether and to what extent it will attempt to satisfy the consumer, and shall inform the consumer of its decision. In its notification to the consumer of its decision, the manufacturer shall include the information specified in subdivision (a) of Section 3397.2.

(d) Disputes settled after the arbitration program has received notification of the dispute shall be subject to Sections 3398.9(b) and 3398.12(b).