Are cars too Maintenance free these days

[JSH]

Hello All
After reading a recent post about tyre maintenance, Its confirmed my theory of peoples misconception about cars not needing attention between services. Im not saying lets go back to the days of greasing suspension every 1000 Miles, But i think that basic checks to a vehicle oil fluids tyres & lights etc, are essential, unfortunately a large portion of drivers either cannot be botherd or are ignorant of such tasks If so maintenance should be part of the driving test. One example the oil light is often thought to indicate low oil level, Where it indicates oil pressure and when it comes on usually its too late.
One idea is build into the engine management a system so the car won't start unless the bonnet, dipstick, washer bottle has been removed every week or so.
Rant over JSH

[zollaf]

agree totally. how many cars do you see that have a few bulbs not working? if the driver cant be bothered to check their lights then what chance does the poor car stand. there is no legal requirement other than an annual mot test, but thats only once a car reaches its 3rd birthday. and remember, a camera wont do you for having a blown bulb.

[mwvw]

Re: Are cars too Maintenance free these days YES :D
Its the reliability which is built into cars these days (yes I know things do go wrong), which generally allow people to treat cars as a convenience. Just jump in and go. Services are usually an oil change and visual check, even spark plugs last 2 years,
But i think that basic checks to a vehicle oil fluids tyres & lights etc, are essential, unfortunately a large portion of drivers either cannot be botherd or are ignorant of such tasks So where is the interaction for people, unless you got an interest in cars or (as above) something has gone wrong then the interest shown is that you are a part of this forum, otherwise for joe public its a matter of :-forget it, put into the garage to repair as it too complicated.

[lanciamug]

YES :D
Its the reliability which is built into cars these days (yes I know things do go wrong), which generally allow people to treat cars as a convenience. Just jump in and go. Services are usually an oil change and visual check, even spark plugs last 2 years, .


Two years? My Golf has just had its 40k sevice and no new plugs. The dealer says they change them at 6 years or 60k!!

[hongkongstuey]

you always gotta do routine checks etc but i check oil etc weekly and only look underneath if a spot was to appear on the floor, which it doesnt thank god, never known a diesel engine not to leak to be honest?

[keithwigley]

They are probably too reliant on electrical controls. Look at how many posts are made on this forum for VAGcom readings that cannot be diagnosed even by the best of service agents. Electrical items have a very low value once taken from the showrooms. If your plasma screen telly packs in after 3 or 4 years, there is hardly anyone out there prepared to fix it. Cars are fast following this.

[Col]

Don't forget that as VAG owners for a modest cost we have access to VAGCOM / VCDS which enables us to keep one step ahead of all things electronic. I pity drivers of other manurfacturers cars in this respect as they cannot do what we do.

Twenty years ago, you needed feeler gauges to set your points and valve clearances with the carb being set by 'ear'. In fact 20 years ago, most cars had electronic ignition and hydraulic tappets so the only unreliable part was the carb.

Nowadays, over and above the very basics such as fluids and friction linings, all you need a laptop.

Things are much better nowadays, especailly as the dreaded tin-worm has been conquered as well.

[macmillions]

Yes they are!
My sister has it in her head that because her cambelt "hasn't shown any signs of failing" it doesn't need changing! :aargh4: (i've tried telling her what wll happen, but its fallen on very, very deaf ears)

She has a clio that rolled off the production line straght after mine (mine is March 2002, 91k, had 5 services, next one will be its 2nd cambelt.

Hers, same age (bar a couple of minutes) 47k on the clock, had one service at 18k, when it was 2.5yrs old (just to keep the warranty) and thats it. Not had an oil change or service since!

And its sods law, all she has had go wrong was her toxic gas valve (or something failing) which cost her £100. Mine has cost me in excess of £1500 in breakdowns/repairs (all electronic). And mine has been serviced every 15000 miles!
Grrr...

[paul b]

So what we're saying is, checking the oil on my A6 on Thursday evening before a 150 mile round trip at the weekend was something only the minority of drivers would think to do these days?

Maybe its my mechanic background, but I do inspect the car between services. Hence why I caught the CV boots cracking on the A6 before they split.

Does this make me a freak? :biglaugh: