Recent Comments:
Get 'em while they're not hot! Dodge Rams going for $13k below MSRP {Autoblog}
May 5th 2008 5:58PM
Trucks did a test of a 2008 Dodge RAM Mega Cab diesel on this past weekend's show and somehow they were able to get 20.1MPG out of the thing without any fancy add-ons. Thats better than my 745i or M3, and alot more useful than either. Actually, the 745 hasnt reached my hands yet... I just traded in my '03 H2 for it... greenies be damned.
Oh and by the way, gas is not going to fall much below 3.00 a gallon. Things cost MONEY remember? And gas has to inflate along with everything else. Anyone who is dreaming of 1.79 a gallon gas is simply DREAMING. Right now YES we have eclipsed adjustment for inflation when compared to the oil crisis of the late 70s early 80s, but 2-3.00 a gallon isn't far off where it should be.
Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy {Autoblog}
Mar 15th 2008 2:32AM That approach depends also on whether or not you have the factory maintenance program or the extended maintenance warranty. If the OLM is still showing 3 or 4k to the next oil change they'll be reluctant to do it. The better dealers will gladly do it around 1500 miles though, this M3 I just bought had about 900 to go and I didn't even have to ask.
As far as the way oil looks, it should never be black or sludgy regardless of what kind of oil it is. I had a 2004 325Ci that was poorly maintained had gone 10k OVER the Oil Service indication and the oil was still dark brown at that point.
If the oil on any of my cars rubbed off black I'd be concerned.
Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy {Autoblog}
Mar 14th 2008 5:56PM
What's more important by the way isn't how often you change your engine oil, but rather how much the OTHER lubricants in modern vehicles are completely ignored.
One manufacturer recommendation for example that is absolutely ludicrous as far as I'm concerned is so called "Lifetime" transmission and gear oil. Often times, failure of these components in as little as 30 or 40000 miles (Escalade front differentials come to mind) is DIRECTLY attributable to loss of viscosity and neglect of fluid changes in these vital and HIGH friction areas.
Worry less about your engine oil and concern yourself more with what other fluids your vehicle might be begging for.
Autoline on Autoblog with John McElroy {Autoblog}
Mar 14th 2008 5:50PM
3000 mile oil changes definitely are wasteful and part of the Jiffy Lube spin machine. I frequently see oil change nuts on automotive boards who even do it as often as every 1500 and insist they wouldn't have it any other way.
On cars that do not offer a reliable monitoring system I change the oil every six-thousand miles. On cars with with both synthetic oil requirements and monitoring systems I generally follow the manufacturers specification (on my M3, which uses an uber-expensive 10w-60 oil formulation by the way, it's as much as 15500 miles between changes, but will vary significantly when doing actual driving).
However, with either of these approaches I always maintain an eye on the appearance of the oil by checking it via dipstick every so often. Obviously, you should never let oil circulate more than 12 months regardless of what the OLM states. Time does alot more to oil than use does.
Geneva 2008: Swiss Misses {Autoblog}
Mar 6th 2008 4:53PM Man, I could ride one of those and not give a flip about fuel economy to boot.
Oil closes at record high of $104.52/barrel, surges higher today {Autoblog}
Mar 6th 2008 4:46PM We're F***ed!
Oil closes at record high of $104.52/barrel, surges higher today {Autoblog}
Mar 6th 2008 4:43PM Pity it doesn't do any favors for "ur" grammar.
Ghosn dismisses GT-R sedan, Q45 successor likely {Autoblog}
Mar 6th 2008 4:26PM 65-90 is shooting a bit high for the Q... They barely sold those lumps at 55, much less 65.
Nissan also needs to get that nasty little oil consumption issue out of the way before it tries to put out a 390hp anything. Many corners were cut on the VQ45 in the Cima to get 345 horses out of an engine with displacement on par with competitors making only 250-300 at its debut. This led to premature failures relating to heavy oil consumption.
I agree that the Q-ship needs to come back, but it better be fully ready for prime-time, not be priced ridiculously, and not look like a hardboiled egg for starters.
The first generation Q45 was far ahead of its time in 1990 and to this day remains the finest, fastest and most sought-after of ALL the U.S. generations (and the only one that was a Q45 from the blueprints forward, not a rebadged Nissan). I hope another one will come along to continue that legacy... and I hope that Nissan won't drop the ball on MARKETING like they did with the first one.
NADA: Luxury segment has the worst depreciation {Autoblog}
Mar 6th 2008 4:14PM No surprise here...
Sales of pre-owned cars right now are higher than ever. In fact, pre-owned cars are the bread and butter of luxury dealerships. New sales don't compare to the revenue produced by the pre-owned departments.
Pics Aplenty: 2008 Chevy Cobalt SS Coupe beauty shots {Autoblog}
Mar 6th 2008 3:49PM It is so comical to me that people all over the innernets always claim they would "run out and buy" whatever it is if it was in hatchback form, and actual sales of hatchbacks ALWAYS disprove this.
