Originally Posted by ekpolk
Originally Posted by OFFRD
The question that needs to be asked is: When developing an oil spec for an engine, are the manufacturer's interests and the consumer's interests the same?
(Cheat sheet: The answer is no.)
I'm sure that Toyota is just itching to have a repeat of the late 90s/early 2000s "Sludgemaker" debacle. And Honda is earnestly looking for another engine to join the 1.5L Turbo in the "Disastrous Fuel Diluter" Hall of Shame. Yep, wide-spread hosing-over of customers, that's the way to bring back repeat buyers, and ensure long-term business success!
Consider how many of those sludgers were first-owner vehicles? Most people drive till thy are paid off, and a year later trade them for new again. As long as the car can make it to 100K, they are golden and will have repeat buyers. Even the lowly crap put out by GM has people returning for more. In many cases, that "long term hosing" Of customers is paying off enough to keep them coming back. Average Joe consumer is not like the people on here who obsess over a drop of oil on the driveway. They gas, drive, and once or twice a year, wash. Then pay off, trade and repeat. OFFRD's question is legitimate. While I am sure the oil is robust and probably won't blow anything up right off, I highly doubt it's being used for longevity reasons.
Originally Posted by OFFRD
The question that needs to be asked is: When developing an oil spec for an engine, are the manufacturer's interests and the consumer's interests the same?
(Cheat sheet: The answer is no.)
I'm sure that Toyota is just itching to have a repeat of the late 90s/early 2000s "Sludgemaker" debacle. And Honda is earnestly looking for another engine to join the 1.5L Turbo in the "Disastrous Fuel Diluter" Hall of Shame. Yep, wide-spread hosing-over of customers, that's the way to bring back repeat buyers, and ensure long-term business success!
Consider how many of those sludgers were first-owner vehicles? Most people drive till thy are paid off, and a year later trade them for new again. As long as the car can make it to 100K, they are golden and will have repeat buyers. Even the lowly crap put out by GM has people returning for more. In many cases, that "long term hosing" Of customers is paying off enough to keep them coming back. Average Joe consumer is not like the people on here who obsess over a drop of oil on the driveway. They gas, drive, and once or twice a year, wash. Then pay off, trade and repeat. OFFRD's question is legitimate. While I am sure the oil is robust and probably won't blow anything up right off, I highly doubt it's being used for longevity reasons.