Re: [FWDLK] Lubricate THIS....

[cpollock@xxxxxxxx]

Hi Dave,
I hear ya on this one.
I bought a 2003 Dodge SRT-4 in May of 2003.  When I went to do the first oil change, I whipped out the trusty grease gun- and found NO zerk fittings whatsoever under the car.  I called Dodge.  They say the entire front suspension of the car (as well as all their modern cars, not trucks) have lifetime lubricated front suspension parts. No greasegun needed!
I'm skeptical of course, but that's what they say.
I change the oil every 300 miles even if it is Mobile 1 full synthetic.  What comes out is just as black as any non-synth I have ever run in any of my cars.  So I agree that 6-7000 miles is just much too long.
I just am grateful that people like those on the list have preserved the heritage of our past.  That alone is way too uncommon in our current 'throw-away' society.

Just my pennies,
Charles.


---- David Homstad <dhomstad@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: 
> Neil,
> 
> One of the main reasons for low or "maintenance-free" lube points is sales.
> Which would the consumer want more: a car with no maintenance or one that
> needs constant maintenance? Drive and forget about it, or take it in for
> service on a regular schedule? Also, the car manufacturers can save about a
> buck by eliminating the last few grease zerks. The problem is that it is
> "maintenance-free" until those formerly greaseable points fail at 50K or
> 100K miles and the car needs maintenance. For the car manufacturer,
> hopefully, the failure is after warranty expiration and the customer gets to
> pay big bucks in the dealer's service shop.
> 
> The reason oil changes are now much longer is that oil technology, engine
> metallurgy, engine machining, oil filter technology, have all improved, and
> engines also run much cleaner so less sludge making contaminates get past
> the rings into the oil. But I still think the recommended 6000 or 7500 miles
> is much too long. And even though modern engines can get by with longer oil
> changes, our old ForwardLook stuff still have the old engine metallurgy, old
> engine machining, no PCV valves, and carburetors which are less precise and
> can contribute gas from a rich mixture at times to oil contamination. I
> still change my oil at least once a year in the fall or every 2000 miles,
> whichever comes first.
> 
> Dave Homstad
> 56 Dodge D500
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Forward Look Mopar Discussion List
> [mailto:L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of eastern sierra Adj Services
> Sent: Tuesday, July 25, 2006 11:22 PM
> To: L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [FWDLK] Lubricate THIS....
> 
> OK, I'm reading my current issue of Car Life magazine (12/56, so,  I'm a
> little behind,  in my reading) and the "Car Maintenance" article says
> that I "you" should lubricate your car's chassis
> about ONCE per month, or every 1000 miles....
> 
> I know: the new-57's , with their ball joint suspensions, etc, require
> fewer chassis lubes, but why/how are new suspension fittings so
> "maintenance-free", that greasing the under-pinnings are almost
> un-heard-of, now-a-days?
> 
> Were drivers back in the day, really so much tougher on their equipment?
> The individual componentry were certainly tougher/stronger, than today
> (where lightness/economy "rules")
> 
> Of course, checking your bias-tires' air pressure TWICE per month , is
> always a good idea, I guess....you could expect get around 35K miles
> on them, that way, but you'd better check for abnormal tread wear, &
> rotate the tires every  5000 miles. Then, there's the MAJOR tune up,
> (alternnating w/a 'minor' tune-up), every 10,000 miles
> 
> The article concludes by mentioning that per-mile "gas-and-oil"  costs
> might normally  run
> around 2.29 -2.79 cents per mile.
> 
> If inflation is 10-times mid 50's costs, that number would translate to
> around 30- 80 cents per mile, today.
> 
> BUT: today, if your gas costs $3.00/gal, & if you only average 10mpg (on
> average city/hwy), your gas charge, per mile would be 30 cents.
> 
> So, with today's LOWER costs of anciliary upkeep-items (battery,non-lead
> gas, oil-changes, tires, spark plugs, etc), it would appear that it is
> cheaper to operate our cars, today, than when they were 'new'.
> 
> Neil Vedder
> 
> 
> 
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