Engine rust during non-use (Synthetic oil versus conventional)

The acids don't build up; they are neutralized by the basic (word used in the chemistry sense) nature of the additive package in the oil. As long as you stay within the oil manufacturer's mileage limit (or go outside it only if justified by used oil analysis), your engine is going to be just fine.

Thanks NobodyImportant. Then why is stop-and-go city driving considered a severe driving condition, while highway driving is not considered severe?

========

All I have to say is I'm glad I bought the Camry last year because I would have been tempted by Chrysler's lifetime powertrain warranty :-)

It would have been much harder to choose. I like to think I would have stuck with Toyota, though.

Of course if Chrysler goes bankrupt, they probably won't have to honor the lifetime powertrain warranty.

I'm not betting Chrysler will go bankrupt, though. I think Chrysler has a good chance of making it. I'm much more worried about Ford. I really don't know if Ford will make it past 2009. I hope Ford survives, but the hurdles are high.

Ford's marketers should have thought of offering the lifetime warranty. They really need to boost sales.

TD Waterhouse wanted to sell me Ford bonds back in 2003. "Hell, no," I told him; bought 3-year Royal Carribean bonds instead. Back in '03, you could buy Ford bonds maturing in 2009 with a yield to maturity of 9 percent.

....9 percent a year, that is.

Ford is making money in almost every market. They have lots of cash available. THey will make it long past 2009.

========

Ford is looking to sell at least 2 of those divisions: Volvo and Land Rover, IIRC.

========

Until this most recent quarter, they lost money in 8 straight quarters (2 years).

The company's huge debt of 170 Billion exceeds its revenue for the past 12 months of 164 Billion. This is a classic symptom of looming bankruptcy.

Let's all hope the best for Ford, but it looks like it will be curtains soon. Thankfully, GM and Chrysler will survive.

Three problems with the power train warranty:

1) It only covers the power train. It doesn't cover suspension, steering, power windows, emissions, air conditioning, etc. So expensive repairs may remain. However, it will take care of engine and transmission and other power train parts.

2) You have to bring the vehicle in for inspection every 5 years (it is right in the warranty and on the web pages about the warranty from Chrysler).

3) The warranty is not transferable, although if you buy a used Chrysler, you can also buy an insurance policy (they call it a warranty, but it is really an insurance policy).

It is expected that this warranty offer will continue until the end of the model year. I don't think Chrysler has plans to continue it after that, but we never know (nor, probably, do they, with a new Chairman and all).

Jeff

========

Ford is looking to sell at least 2 of those divisions: Volvo and Land Rover, IIRC.

[Please pardon any possible future duplication of this message as TeraNews was not relaying last night, but might relay later today, hours late.]

========

Until this most recent quarter (the quarter ending in June), Ford lost money in 8 straight quarters (2 years in a row).

Worse, analysts expect the company to lose money in full-year

2007, and for upcoming 2008.

The company's huge debt of 170 Billion exceeds its revenue for the past 12 months of 164 Billion. This is a classic symptom of looming bankruptcy.

Let's all hope the best for Ford, but it looks like it will be curtains soon. Thankfully, GM and Chrysler will survive.

The company's bad karma is finally catching up with it. The Pinto, efforts to squelch air bags in the early 1970's, and, worst of all, killing the seat belt interlock are all coming back to reckon with the company.

[Please pardon any possible duplication of this message.]

Gee, that was 30 years ago.

Ford also has $30 billion in cash. They have a lot of work to do to return to profitability, especially with the liabilities for health insurance and pensions for retirees and future retirees.

They are making money in every market but North America. And they are growing the 3rd world countries.

Jeff

========

About that 30 billion in cash they're supposed to have:

Some may be willing to bet that YOUR debt was greater than YOUR income last year, as well. Especially if you have a big mortgage. Does that mean you are headed for bankruptcy? ;)

mike

Aftermarket lifetime power train warranties have been around for years and they require one have all of the scheduled maintenance completed at the selling dealer.

I wonder if the Mopar warranty is similar, in that the scheduled maintenance completed at a Chrysler dealership?

mike

That wouldn't work for me. I bought my car about 1000 km from where I live. That is a bit of headache for scheduled maintenance. Heck, 1/2 kilometers I would put would going for maintenance.

No, it isn't. The only requirement according to the Chrysler website and everything else I have read is that original owner has to take it to a dealer every five years for an inspection (within two months of the anniversary of buying the vehicle).

Have a great day.

Jeff

Yow! I first wrote those two messages about Ford, Volvo, and looming bankruptcy just over 2 days ago! The TeraNews server is just now posting them.

Now you know why I included the statement shown below when I posted the messages using another server:

[Please pardon any possible future duplication of this message as TeraNews was not relaying last night, but might relay later today, hours late.]

Well, it looks like it was days late, not hours late. Sorry again for the duplication. TeraNews sometimes makes you look bad. I guess in the future, it'll be necessary to first post a test message in alt.test when using TeraNews.