Engine Failure
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I tend to run vehicles until the wheels are pounded square. I've never had a transmission go bad. I've only had two engines seize, both due to bad design failures. And I've had quite a few trucks and cars over time.
The first was a 97 Ford F150 V6. First year for that body style, first year Ford put that engine in a truck. It was actually a motor that they introduced in the Thunderbird. For a V6 in a full body truck, it would scoot pretty good. Mine was governed at about 105mph. The problem was the intake manifold gasket. Ford used an older, thinner, inferior gasket on that engine (they changed gaskets a couple of times during the production run, starting in 1998) that led to coolant leakage into the block. Mine hydrolocked like a lot of other people's and slung a rod through the side of the engine at just over 100,000 miles.
The other was my 2015 Sonata. Originally bought as a work car, it offered adequate power, more features than a Camry, more room than a Camry, without the Toyota Tax. As time went on, the 2.4L GDI engine was subject to engine failure due to severe carbon build-up in the cylinders and piston heads. GDI is an engine killer for more than one manufacturer (Note: Most Hyundai engines are heavily Mitsubishi influenced) Mine died at 142,000 miles. Broke a connecting rod and ate the motor. In this case, Hyundai was better to work with than Ford. Because all of my service had been done at the dealer and I'm a fanatic about oil changes, I didn't get a rebuilt engine like many folks did...Hyundai shipped me a new crate motor. I probably won't get it, but if that JATCO transmission holds up and the electronics don't die, I'll ride that Sonata to 250K.
Why the epistle? I think we are going to see more engine failures than usual in current vehicles. GDI is an engine killer. High pressure fuel injection can also be an engine killer. Turbocharging cuts down on engine life. I'm really wondering about these very low viscosity engine oils and start-stop technology leading to piston slap, cylinder wall scarring and other problems. Even manufacturers noted for making good engines are seeing problems (Honda V6, anyone?)
Couple of things we can do...Buy good quality gasoline. I tend to prefer Shell, although I do buy a lot of lower quality stuff, like at Sam's. If you do run gas Like Walmart or Sam's (they're both Murphy Oil), run a fuel system cleaner every so often. And change your oil. Religiously. Every 3K if you're harder on an engine, at least every 5K if it's highway miles. Always use synthetic. If you're changing at 3K, you can use a cheaper oil such as Super Tech (Walmart). But for the 5K interval, I prefer a better oil with a better filter. I think Pennzoil Ultra is the best bang for the buck.
One thing the government can do, is to dial back some of the ridiculous CAFE standards and possibly reward manufacturers in some way for an increase in drivetrain quality. Cars that last longer are greener cars.
That's better for everyone.
