General vehicle thread

[Gman]

I've also heard of I think Mercedes calling for 10-15k between changes, but have never owned one so can't verify.

True. I had annual servicing on my 2016 GL 450.

[Erni]

Oil changes on the volvo call for 10k intervals. The oil is dirty as hell and that worries me, but apparently that is the additives doing their stuff. Some other owners have taken and done oil analysis on their oil and confirm that the oil is still actively protecting the engine.

On the kids audi, anectodal evidence suggests 5k oil changes help to delay timing chain stretch. Audi calls for 10k oil changes. Not sure how or why that would help as it makes no sense.

One recommendation for everyone here: check specific rating your oil needs to be and find the right oil. For instance the volvo called out a specific grade that only the professional labeled oil was certified to. But that is unobtanium. So it turned out penzoil platinum has the required certs and it was available at wallmart.

[Gman]

On the kids audi, anectodal evidence suggests 5k oil changes help to delay timing chain stretch. Audi calls for 10k oil changes. Not sure how or why that would help as it makes no sense.

One recommendation for everyone here: check specific rating your oil needs to be and find the right oil. For instance the volvo called out a specific grade that only the professional labeled oil was certified to. But that is unobtanium. So it turned out penzoil platinum has the required certs and it was available at wallmart.

There are arguments that the manufacturers only care about getting owners past the warranty period, but I doubt they want the reputation of having engines puke as soon as they get out of warranty.

The detergent levels in the synthetics is very high and they are molecularly more stable and less prone to breakdown.

I have a similar issue with the Hemi in my truck. Ram calls for a specific certification for the oil, and Mobil 1 doesn't have it. I use Pennzoil Platinum that does.

[ChickNorris]

My gen 2 ram specifies NOT to use the premium gasoline in the owner's manual.

Nuthin fancy required.

[MrAK]

Yay, just discovered that the transmission shop removed two crossmember style structural supports by cutting the bolts when they redid the seals for the transfer case on my FJ Cruiser.. and they didn?t reinstall them afterwards.. the best part about this discovery, is my knowledge that you don?t have to remove those supports to drop or reinstall the transfer case because I?ve done it myself.. seems that I?ll have a trip to town tomorrow to fix this and collect a bit of a refund.

[ChickNorris]

Yay, just discovered that the transmission shop removed two crossmember style structural supports by cutting the bolts.. and they didn’t reinstall them either.. the best part about this discovery, is my knowledge that you don’t have to remove those supports to drop or reinstall the transfer case because I’ve done it myself.. seems that I’ll have a trip to town tomorrow to fix this and collect a bit of a refund.

Get some.

[Irving]

Yay, just discovered that the transmission shop removed two crossmember style structural supports by cutting the bolts when they redid the seals for the transfer case on my FJ Cruiser.. and they didn?t reinstall them afterwards.. the best part about this discovery, is my knowledge that you don?t have to remove those supports to drop or reinstall the transfer case because I?ve done it myself.. seems that I?ll have a trip to town tomorrow to fix this and collect a bit of a refund.

Get some.

Yes. You should even crack your knuckles and neck, then take a deep, calming breath before you start talking. Just to set the mood.

[MrAK]

Yes. You should even crack your knuckles and neck, then take a deep, calming breath before you start talking. Just to set the mood.

I also find it useful with mechanics, to place your keys and phone on the counter when you start speaking to them, and at the end of the conversation, you can ask them if they know that Colorado is a single party consent law and if they have any thoughts on the fact that the entire conversation was just recorded on your phone.

[Irving]

You run into trouble with that method if there is a single other person in the room. Could always tell them up front. That usually shuts people down though and that may not be the response you want.

[MrAK]

It was my understanding under the law in Colorado that audio recording of any conversation taking place wholly within the state can be legally recorded so long as one person consents.