The only new technology is to make the engine burn more oil over time
It may seem like some new car manufacturers have taken the Briggs and Stratton approach to maintenance marketing. Briggs and Stratton have recently touted a no more oil change EXi engine the catch is owners need to be even more vigilant about checking and topping up the oil as well as changing the air filter more frequently. As a DYI garage mechanic myself I see trouble a brewing. Most seasoned small engine repair shops will tell you most people never check the oil and air filter let alone change them. Seems Consumer Reports did a story on this, but I question their bias sometimes as I think some manufacturers bought them off so their names would not get published.
Here are my real thoughts on how things might go down when those customer relations, marketing research people get together with the engineers that design the car engines. Colorful adjectives added for comedic relief.
Customer "Waaaahhh, I want better gas mileage and performance,"
Engineer "Ok, but there are tradeoffs, a smaller turbo motor will have to work harder, lighter weight oil and low tension rings might mean a little more oil consumption, so with longer oil change intervals, you might need to check the level and add a quart occasionally."
Customer "Waaaaaahh, my engine burns oil."
Marketing geniuses "Let's remove the oil level sensor to save money and so the customer won't know he's a couple of quarts low."
Customer "Waaaahhh, my engine blew up because I didn't change the oil for 15k miles and never checked the level" Lawyers "Call the whaaambulance, someone's feelings got hurt."
The pussification of automobile drivers have caused this.
End Rant
Here are my real thoughts on how things might go down when those customer relations, marketing research people get together with the engineers that design the car engines. Colorful adjectives added for comedic relief.
Customer "Waaaahhh, I want better gas mileage and performance,"
Engineer "Ok, but there are tradeoffs, a smaller turbo motor will have to work harder, lighter weight oil and low tension rings might mean a little more oil consumption, so with longer oil change intervals, you might need to check the level and add a quart occasionally."
Customer "Waaaaaahh, my engine burns oil."
Marketing geniuses "Let's remove the oil level sensor to save money and so the customer won't know he's a couple of quarts low."
Customer "Waaaahhh, my engine blew up because I didn't change the oil for 15k miles and never checked the level" Lawyers "Call the whaaambulance, someone's feelings got hurt."
The pussification of automobile drivers have caused this.
End Rant
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