Not me, but recommending early oil change intervals is just wrong and a waste of money. Unless you have some proof it extends engine life. And common sense says it doesn't. In the days of 3000 mile oil changes engines might only last as long as a set of tyres before overhaul was needed. Certainly more than one overhaul in the life of the car. These days engines generally outlast the car - unless suffering a failure unconnected with oil changes.
Todays tyres yes. Tyres of that era, no.
Certainly more than one overhaul in the life of
That is my experience over very many of my own vehicles over forty years and with other fleets as well. They need regular scheduled servicing yes and they need attention to known weak areas, which most machinery has somewhere. They do not need spoiling though as they are lumps of inanimate metal and other materials which do not have an emotion, unlike their owners who may well feel good spoiling them. In fact they would probably be better off spoiling a cat, who will at least appreciate the attention ;-)
Huw
The message from "Dave Plowman (News)" contains these words:
Renault Clio sunroofs having no drains? That's my favourite at the moment. For some values of favourite.
Pintos having the fuel tank hanging out the back and sharp studs on the diff?
It does.
Plenty given in this thread.
Which ones, Andy? Most '60s cars had 5000 mile oil changes.
My father's first new car was a '52 Morris Minor. The very first OHV one in Scotland. It wore out its engine and first set of tyres at near enough the same time - just over 30,000 miles. To be fair he worked in a garage that specialised in engine overhaul so may have had it re-conned sooner than absolutely necessary, but it was certainly smoking badly. Since it was a company car he kept accurate records. It averaged over 50 mpg throughout its life - despite the very low gearing.
Ah - plenty of design problems on most cars.
But I was thinking more of oil change intervals...
The message from "Dave Plowman (News)" contains these words:
Oh, /that/. I got bored with that some time ago!
I can't remember exactly which one I read about in particular, but I think it might have been the Austin Healey 3000.
That used the same engine as many BMC saloons - although maybe in a higher state of tune. It was known as the C series and was a vast crude cast iron lump of an engine. Can't see it needing anything special in the way of servicing.
As I say, I can't remember exactly.
Early BMC units used to have 3000 mile oil changes, but about the mid '50s changed to full flow oil filtration, better bearings and changed to 5000 mile intervals. Most other makes did the same.
They don't, it just guesses when it's needed. :)
So you reckon some people do use one of these vehicles for a single one mile delivery a day?
I disagree here. New engines are "tight." After they've been run in, they are much looser. Performance goes up, fuel consumption goes down, most are happier to rev and labour less too.
Diesels seem to take much, much longer. In the fleets, we'd be buying something newish (under 10,000 miles) then watch the consumption charts. Drop with winter diesel, rise in the spring, each year better consumption than the last...
Many do... but not all.
Here's the first failing then. All too many drivers out there don't even check to see that their tyres are not flat in the morning let along the pressure or tread. In one forum I frequent, somebody proclaimed that we should check our tyre pressures every few months because running them at the correct pressure made such a difference, then asked why it doesn't say this somewhere in the handbook... For goodness sake.
As for tread, again many people are simply too stupid to check across the tyre. A cursory glance, "yeah we have tread" is considered enough.
As for warning lights, too many people drive around with a great big red warning light illuminating their dashboard. Petrol light, okay get petrol. Engine warning light, go into Usenet and bitch about their machine. Red brake, charge or oil pressure light, oh ignore it, it'll get serviced next year even if it doesn't need it.
I agree but you're assuming a certain level of understanding on behalf of the consumer. If somebody is advised that their brake pipes are going a bit iffy, then they'll either get it done there and then... or leave it until the next service. Then come into Usenet and bitch about high brake pipe replacement costs. ;)
Heh.
Yes, there is, but against this there are certain tolerance levels. Some fleets keep cars for a given length of time or mileage. Several business contacts keep their cars for 50,000 miles, or two services. Leasing companies often defer stuff being done until *needed*, in other words if the tyres are down to 3mm I start getting itchy-change-tyres. Lease companies replace at 2mm. That's one reason why Charlie and I don't lease... :)
No offence but you're as good as. Leased car, warranty - same thing. :)
I'm particularly geeky about such things as I suspect you'd figure. Every time I get into the Accord I just do a walk around. Just to make sure the tyres are there heh. :)
I insist that mine does. Then I quiz her. Now she's learnt to accept it. :-)
Should something every light up I expect she'll ring me... but that's okay.
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