wuzzat VAG tool?-Now oil differences

[Douglas Frank]

> What's wrong with keeping your hands at 10 & 2 (or 9 & 3 depending on your
> preference) to be able to properly control a vehicle?

If that's what you're comfortable with, fine.  I'm not going to insist you're
wrong.  IMHO, for most of us, 3:00 and 9:00 is better, that's all.  My point
was only that some people will never let go of obsolete thumb rules they
learned at grandpappy's knee thirty years ago.

> Would these be the same engineers that are specifying that only 5w30 oil be
> used in engines?  This is being done not because of better lubrication
> properties but instead to increase the corporate fuel economy numbers.  

I've heard this argument before and it's always mystified me.  Never mind that
extended change intervals were in place a decade before competitive pressures
led to the hands-off, free oil change clauses in newer cars' warranties.  How,
logically, could it be good for a mfr. to recommend oil changes at 5000+
miles, if, assuming normal driving conditions, a 3000 mile interval is better;
especially if "better" means the engine lasts longer?  Think: if 3000 mi is
better, than customers following the factory-recommended 5000 mi interval are
going to see their engines wear out quicker than those of other makes.  How
long could this go on before the company acquires a reputation for engines
wearing out early?  Not long, I suspect, but it would take a long time to live
it down.
--
Douglas Frank Compaq Computer Corp.
ZKO           110 Spit Brook Rd.       The older I get,
603-884-0501  Nashua, NH USA 03062       the better I was.