Come on PH, get your hands on this cracked article.
Discussion
http://www.cracked.com/article_19704_6-car-myths-t...
I can hear keyboards all across PH exploding in a rage as i speak.
I can hear keyboards all across PH exploding in a rage as i speak.
article said:
Today, however, everything is controlled by your car's computer and can't actually be changed at all without buying a new chip. While it's probably prudent to have a mechanic check your car every 50,000 miles or so to gauge the state of your spark plugs, belts and fluids, and to make sure that raccoons aren't nesting in your turbo booster, your engine's computer can handle the month-to-month: It checks everything millions of times per second anyway, making fine adjustments and tweaks automatically for best performance.
Er....Really?!Things like spark plugs, oil, filter etc still need to be changed!! 50k without a service?!!
James_N said:
Things like spark plugs, oil, filter etc still need to be changed!! 50k without a service?!!
The article isn't suggesting 50k without a service. It's already mentioned oil changes at 7.5k to 15k. 50k for spark plugs, auxiliary belts, transmission fluids, coolant etc isn't at all unreasonable these days imho.Gone is the need for frequent changing of points and checking ignition timing. Modern OAT coolant lasts 5 years + rather than the two years of traditional glycol coolants. 50k for gearbox fluid could even be considered OTT when many are theoretically "sealed for life".
The one fluid that they've missed however is brake fluid, which should still be changed every 2 to 3 years, yet how often does that actually happen versus how many drivers experience braking issues as a result?
Spark plugs haven't needed changing regularly for nigh-on 3 decades. They shouldbe able to manage 50K miles eith ease.
Synthetic oils don't break down as often as mineral oils in older engines but they do carry metallic and combustion particulates around the engine. Replacing the oil removes these particulates from the engine. There are probably fewer metallic particulates in an older engine but a higher ratio of combustion particulates which can get burnt onto the walls of the oilways in particularly hot locations (like the head). Changing the oil regularly is probably the one sensible thing everyone ought to do.
The higher octane bit makes me laugh - so many PHers will swear they get better economy on 98 than on 95 when the exact opposite MUST be true (owing to the reduced energy content of 98 over 95 by volume). And don't get me started on the "my car won't run on 95" bulls
t.
Synthetic oils don't break down as often as mineral oils in older engines but they do carry metallic and combustion particulates around the engine. Replacing the oil removes these particulates from the engine. There are probably fewer metallic particulates in an older engine but a higher ratio of combustion particulates which can get burnt onto the walls of the oilways in particularly hot locations (like the head). Changing the oil regularly is probably the one sensible thing everyone ought to do.
The higher octane bit makes me laugh - so many PHers will swear they get better economy on 98 than on 95 when the exact opposite MUST be true (owing to the reduced energy content of 98 over 95 by volume). And don't get me started on the "my car won't run on 95" bulls
t.
http://www.denso.co.id/splug1.html
From Denso, platinum plugs have a 100k km lifespan, and Iridium ones have 150k kms.
The usual backyard tinkerer will be swapping them around far more often then is needed.
From Denso, platinum plugs have a 100k km lifespan, and Iridium ones have 150k kms.
The usual backyard tinkerer will be swapping them around far more often then is needed.
Toaster Pilot said:
Thing is, it's an American article, and I seriously doubt people religiously service their cars every 10,000 miles (or whatever) over there, given that people drive much longer distances regularly than we do.
A car with a 10k service interval would need servicing pretty damn often.
They get quiet excitable about oil changes and do them often. There were (when I was there) drive through oil change places in towns, just just pull in and they change the oil while you wait. A car with a 10k service interval would need servicing pretty damn often.
They do a lot of miles in the US, but there are plenty of people doing similar mileages over here.
Toaster Pilot said:
Thing is, it's an American article, and I seriously doubt people religiously service their cars every 10,000 miles (or whatever) over there, given that people drive much longer distances regularly than we do.
A car with a 10k service interval would need servicing pretty damn often.
Recommendations for Oil changes every 3 months/3,000 miles were the norm when I first started driving in the US. Not suggesting it was right or wrong, but I certainly followed it, chances are quite a few others did too. Bear in mind oil is much cheaper to buy there. I could change the oil/filter for less than a tenner using branded oil and filter. Drive in/drive out quick change outfits were doing it for less than the equivalent of £15.A car with a 10k service interval would need servicing pretty damn often.
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