Synthetic Oil

[Burla]

This is from a couple years ago, still one holdout and that is likely going away as well. Subaru still might work, I would rather buy one of those then buy a di even knowing certain issues.

The slow march to stupidsville.

I was looking at used Porsche I think I can get her in board with that, and the word is they are prone to have lspi events even more then most makes regardless of oil formulas. Perhaps it is the way they tend to be driven, but naturally asperated porsches from 2011 are going for like 100k over what they sold for, lol.

 

[HEMIMANN]

Those stats include dual GDI / PFI also? Ford & Toyota.

 

[Burla]

I dunno, more to the point death of naturally aspirated stuff.

 

[Burla]

RAV 4 now has an eight speed? Geeez Burla, I cannot keep up with you. Must be my "old fart" brain!
I will say that the CVT in the Prius Prime has been quite decent. I don't perceive any lag on initial start and you can really feel the smooth torque of the eclectic motor. 0 - 50 is rather brisk! It does have a "B" on the shift knob. "B" for braking I guess. It feels like an engine brake when applied. I haven't got a clue how it works. Could be a transmission thing or could be a magnetic thing in the motor. Manual states that it enhances regenerative power to the battery as well as downhill braking.
I need to dig deeper into the RAV 4. I am convinced that Toyota has the electric thing down better than anyone. ( Two totally trouble free Priuses ) I like the electric deal not so much from an environmental angle but rather because the Commodore virtually NEVER needs to pump fuel. Also the ICE gets little use and a once a year oil / filter change helps lower my work load as I maintain three vehicles. She gets about 40 miles to a charge without using any gasoline. That covers about 85% of her driving. However, when she visits her sister out of State the vehicle works just fine as a hybrid. Seems like the best of both worlds to me. Also, I realize that we must be spending some money to charge it at home but honestly we don't seem to see an increase in our electric bill. She has never used a commercial charging station. All charging is at home on a 20 Amp 120V outlet. I did not bother to run a 240V circuit for her.
Thus why we are giving the RAV 4 with a similar drive system a good look. Thing is she really does not need all wheel drive. A rear wheel drive only version would put me over the top.

similar to a Jake brake in ways, as far as feeling goes. They generally only put Jake's in rigs because it is hard on an engine but diesels can handle it and the juice is worth the squeeze. In that case it uses exhaust to help slow the rig, there is always a trade off but anyone who drove a rig down a grade knows how beneficial these are. It might be useful in stop and go or down hills, but you can live without it as well. I don't know if you have a energy level guage, but if you ever have a problem with the battery juice level, this could be helpful extending the battery life and getting it to full if you use it it that way as well.



On a Prius, the "B" on the shift knob stands for "braking" and activates a mode that increases regenerative braking, mimicking engine braking in a traditional car, especially useful for slowing down on hills or in stop-and-go traffic.

Here's a more detailed explanation:

• Function:
  The "B" mode increases the level of regenerative braking, converting kinetic energy into electric power to recharge the hybrid battery and slow the car down.
• When to use it:
  • Descending hills: The "B" mode is particularly helpful when descending long or steep hills, as it helps to slow the car down without relying heavily on the friction brakes.
  • Stop-and-go traffic: It can also be useful in stop-and-go traffic, as it allows for smoother deceleration and reduces the need to use the brakes frequently.
• How it works:
  • When the "B" mode is engaged, the car uses the engine to produce electricity for braking, which helps to slow the vehicle down.
  • The car also engages in regenerative braking to capture the brake's energy and store it within the battery.
• Benefits:
  • Reduces brake wear: By using the engine and regenerative braking to slow down, the "B" mode helps to reduce the wear and tear on the friction brakes.
  • Improves energy efficiency: By capturing energy during deceleration, the "B" mode helps to improve the overall energy efficiency of the vehicle.

 

[Different Drummer]

Burla,
I am definitely familiar with engine braking. Held a CDL for years. All the rigs I drove had internal engine braking ( Jacobs type) as opposed to exhaust braking. I was just wondering if the B selection (braking) on the Prius was accomplished by lowering the gear ratio at the CVT ( think downshifting) or if it used the magnetic characteristics of the electric motor to slow the vehicle. The Prius is regenerative whenever decelerating no matter the mode. Toyota claims "enhanced" regeneration when in "B" mode so I suspect it might involve the electric motor more than the CVT.
Whatever, the case is, it does work well.

 

[Burla]

so Mercedes glk 350, what I like is small investment under 15k can write a check.

Meets non of my criteria, but I might opt to shut her up for a few years. Havent bought it yet, but looking like she will buy early in the week. Any thoughts? yeah or nah?

 

[HEMIMANN]

so Mercedes glk 350, what I like is small investment under 15k can write a check.

Meets non of my criteria, but I might opt to shut her up for a few years. Havent bought it yet, but looking like she will buy early in the week. Any thoughts? yeah or nah?

Oujii Board time.

 

[Burla]

Oujii Board time.

I went from her wanting to spend 65k, to 35k for a used car, to 30k, and now 15k? Like I should get some type of medal for that, at least a brownie button, I can say I had no idea how bad everything is out there until I started shopping for a new car. It is a load of garbage, this generation will know no different from the great vehicles that existed in the 90's. I'd prefer her to get the new rav 4, still that great engine naturally aspirated and a geared transmission, and at least you can turn auto stop off. But the darwin thinks this is better, so whatever. Doesn't want a rav 4 at all period, which is crazy how much better they are now and how well they are built.

Asked her again about the Mazda, hard no. She thinks the Forester is more "luxury" then Mazda. Whatever girl logic, it is what it is. For what its worth, I do like the Mercedes, gonna have to find out about servicing it.

 

[Burla]

its a 4 matic, I have no idea what that is but 4wd auto? Any idea about if it has a transfer case?

oh snap what a great location for oil filter. I serviced some Mercedes a while back, nothing this easy, winner winner.

Mercedes Benz GLK 350 Oil Change - Easy DIY

How to change the oil on a 2010-2015 Mercedes Benz GLK350 4matic. Watch in 1080p. The process is much the same for any Mercedes with the M272 3.5L V6 engine ...

youtu.be

 

[HEMIMANN]

its a 4 matic, I have no idea what that is but 4wd auto? Any idea about if it has a transfer case?

oh snap what a great location for oil filter. I serviced some Mercedes a while back, nothing this easy, winner winner.

Mercedes Benz GLK 350 Oil Change - Easy DIY

How to change the oil on a 2010-2015 Mercedes Benz GLK350 4matic. Watch in 1080p. The process is much the same for any Mercedes with the M272 3.5L V6 engine ...

youtu.be

no 4matic was OG tradename for automatic with manual shift, was tiptronic for beemer.

 

[06 Dodge]

I went from her wanting to spend 65k, to 35k for a used car, to 30k, and now 15k? Like I should get some type of medal for that, at least a brownie button, I can say I had no idea how bad everything is out there until I started shopping for a new car. It is a load of garbage, this generation will know no different from the great vehicles that existed in the 90's. I'd prefer her to get the new rav 4, still that great engine naturally aspirated and a geared transmission, and at least you can turn auto stop off. But the darwin thinks this is better, so whatever. Doesn't want a rav 4 at all period, which is crazy how much better they are now and how well they are built.

Asked her again about the Mazda, hard no. She thinks the Forester is more "luxury" then Mazda. Whatever girl logic, it is what it is. For what its worth, I do like the Mercedes, gonna have to find out about servicing it.

Yeas ago my neighbor bought his wife and 1987 Mercedes diesel that thing ran for ever, have not kept up any of there gas engines but if half as good as the 87 diesel ya cant go wrong.

 

[Burla]

no 4matic was OG tradename for automatic with manual shift, was tiptronic for beemer.

Google ai anyhow...

Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC is their all-wheel drive system, designed to enhance traction and stability by distributing power to all four wheels, adapting to various road conditions and driving situations.

Not looking forward in servicing trans, POS, whatever.

 

[Burla]

Thy don't have dip sticks, but they sell dip stick tool for 3 bucks.

Would that not be nice if the ram had that, I digress.

 

[Burla]

I change my mind, further review it looks like a well made trans for servicing, you can even drain the torque converter, wow on that, and a pan that is like a diff. I'm getting excited on all the maintenance I can do, guess ram goes on back burner yet again.

 

[Jas34]

Yeas ago my neighbor bought his wife and 1987 Mercedes diesel that thing ran for ever, have not kept up any of there gas engines but if half as good as the 87 diesel ya cant go wrong.

They did run forever and were dependable as heck (I used to work on those). They loved high end maintenance, so not for everyone. Not so much these days, just do a little research on MB reliability ratings. Can't go wrong with a Honda, but friends don't let friends buy Benz's.

 

[Jas34]

Maybe if you want that German engineering you should look at Beemers. I hear they're pretty reliable these days. I always liked driving them. Some of them even have that 8 speed ZF transmission that's in the Rams. You'll feel right at home.

 

[Hemi395]

Mike I would recommend staying away from anything used thats German, especially Benz and BMWs. They quickly can turn into money pits and because they're so complicated a lot of shops don't want to work on them. Parts are stupid expensive too...

 

[Burla]

Mike I would recommend staying away from anything used thats German, especially Benz and BMWs. They quickly can turn into money pits and because they're so complicated a lot of shops don't want to work on them. Parts are stupid expensive too...

I hear and I'm with you, we didn't put any money down so hopefully someone buys it before Wednesday, lol. But like I said, it is low risk with no loan and if we get a few years we will be fine, if not she back in our rav 4. You know girl logic better then most, I'm just glad we are not taking a loan out on a used di turbo Benz, which was being floated. There is no reason to not buy the most incredible car being sold right now, they don't make anything like that rav 4 now that I can see, entry level small SUV with gears and a naturally aspirated 4 banger. It's literally dumb to buy anything else in this segment with perhaps exception to those companies offer ten year warranties (respect). This isn't my purchase, it is hers, and I am glad that at a minimum I got the risk down. TBH, I'm over it, she doesn't want to bring this isht up again with me, there was no reason to buy something new, and if you wanted new no reason to buy something other then another rav 4, so my brain simply ain't taking no more guff, period. You know all of our wives are the same, they only want what they think is cute, they are this friggin simple and spoiled.

 

[knightjp]

I second this, my wife's 2020 Grand Cherokee has been great. The pentastar is good motor as long as you keep up with oil changes.

And we all know how good the 8 speed is. HOWEVER from personal experience, changing the fluid on it sucks...

Considering the trouble that I've seen other brands are having with their 10 speeds and DSGs, I'm pretty sure the ZF-8 speed is less complicated and more easier to maintain. My old ZF 8-speed had issues (shuddering and whatnot), but still lasted more than a year with those issues, daily driving 5000 kms in 1.5 months, road trips and even some off road trails. It did everything I asked of it and then when a replacement came in for a good price, the units swapped over without any issues.

 

[HEMIMANN]

I made mine sit and drive any of her serious candidates before I'd help her buy. That completely disuaded her from the cutey cars that sucked a$$ for comfort and reliability.

fwiw