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Insane overengineering of a car headlight

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Bassman59:

--- Quote from: Halcyon on April 03, 2022, 07:28:57 am ---You can add automatic versus manual transmission to that list these days. I know there are purists out there who will argue that manual transmissions give them "greater control" over the vehicle, which is just bollocks in my eyes, but the fact remains, a well designed modern automatic transmission is better than old manual boxes in every way, including fuel economy.

--- End quote ---

The cost to maintain and repair a modern automatic transmission greatly exceeds same for a manual transmission. We had a 2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDI (which was later bought back by VW) and it was offered in a six-speed manual and a fancy automatic. The scheduled maintenance for the automatic was easily over $1,000. For standard maintenance, not repair. Now everyone knows there's a VW tax because every service is expensive, but that was out of line. That was one reason for buying the manual. The other reason is pure preference.

tom66:
That is out of line.  Maybe VW America has different service pricing and schedules.

The service schedule for the DSG box in my car is 40,000 miles / 4 year DSG oil change.  At a main dealer that's £320 (~$420USD) but at any good independent it's as little as £200.   Or, you can do yourself pretty easily, though it will require a diagnostic tool (~£100) to activate the gearbox pump so you can totally drain the old oil.

The big expense is the gearbox oil.  VW recommend a type that is used only for a few other models, and since it is used to lubricate the solenoids and provides the wet-clutch interface, I'm therefore skeptical about replacing it with traditional ATF.  6 litres of the stuff will cost £140, most of the cost of the service...

tooki:
In USA, German cars are treated as semi-luxury vehicles (and the manufacturers often encourage this by only offering higher end configurations in USA), with parts and service being far more expensive than they should be. :/

Someone:

--- Quote from: tooki on April 05, 2022, 05:27:31 pm ---In USA, German cars are treated as semi-luxury vehicles (and the manufacturers often encourage this by only offering higher end configurations in USA), with parts and service being far more expensive than they should be. :/

--- End quote ---
Alongside an outdated culture in the US to change oil very often:

--- Quote from: https://www.aaa.com/autorepair/articles/how-often-should-you-change-engine-oil ---It used to be normal to change the oil every 3,000 miles, but with modern lubricants most engines today have recommended oil change intervals of 5,000 to 7,500 miles. Moreover, if your car's engine requires full-synthetic motor oil, it might go as far as 15,000 miles between services!
--- End quote ---
"might go as far" (with a qualifier to limit the applicability) vs manufacturer warrants it will go at least that far, bordering on misleading. Synthetic motor oil? same price as the rest here.

European cars tend to cluster their oil intervals at the higher end 10,000km or 20,000km and 1-2 years between oil change, while some manufacturers like Subaru say every 6 months!

Ed.Kloonk:

--- Quote from: Someone on April 05, 2022, 09:54:06 pm ---
--- Quote from: tooki on April 05, 2022, 05:27:31 pm ---In USA, German cars are treated as semi-luxury vehicles (and the manufacturers often encourage this by only offering higher end configurations in USA), with parts and service being far more expensive than they should be. :/

--- End quote ---
Alongside an outdated culture in the US to change oil very often:

--- Quote from: https://www.aaa.com/autorepair/articles/how-often-should-you-change-engine-oil ---It used to be normal to change the oil every 3,000 miles, but with modern lubricants most engines today have recommended oil change intervals of 5,000 to 7,500 miles. Moreover, if your car's engine requires full-synthetic motor oil, it might go as far as 15,000 miles between services!
--- End quote ---
"might go as far" (with a qualifier to limit the applicability) vs manufacturer warrants it will go at least that far, bordering on misleading. Synthetic motor oil? same price as the rest here.

European cars tend to cluster their oil intervals at the higher end 10,000km or 20,000km and 1-2 years between oil change, while some manufacturers like Subaru say every 6 months!

--- End quote ---

Some mechanics do profess the benefits of regular oil changes. Even if they are in the servicing industry, the point they make is neither the interval nor the miles driven is entirely precise. It depends on the condition of the oil itself. When it's time, it's time.

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