Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Bumface
There's more nuance to it than that.
Using 0w20 oil everywhere was absolutely driven by both technology advancements in engine manufacturing tolerances that make it possible, but also by strict environmental regulations on fuel economy.
It's a very valid point that keeping a car running for 20 years is better for the environment, despite some extra fuel consumption using more durable oils.
When auto manufacturers cite "lifetime fluids" it is not optimizing for keeping a vehicle on the road for 20 years, as that is a small fraction of the population willing to dump money into an old car to keep it running.
I absolutely ignore the "lifetime fluid" maintenance claims, and anyone that has gotten an analysis done of transmission fluid or differential oil has proved that these should be replaced at some point, regardless of the manufacturer's claims.
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Lifetime just means extended time. My current vehicle uses “lifetime” transmission fluid and yet changing the transmission fluid is still part of the maintenance schedule.
EDIT: and not to say you’re wrong, by “people who know how the vehicle was designed” that includes mechanics actually experienced in those vehicles who have seen the results of 1000s more stress tests than anyone. I doesn’t, however, include randoms who think oil change intervals are a conspiracy.