kjjet wrote:
If engine MFG's thought these systems were needed they would test them on their engines and install them. I don't recall a system like these installed on any MB engines? They have millions of miles on their engines.
This is a logically flawed argument. For 80 years, cars have had dipsticks on the engine and transmission. GM and Ford are now producing and selling vehicles that lack one of these things. Does this mean that the transmissions are now magically not needing service?
Maybe the answer is - they are declaring that the transmission is a "lifetime" part, when the "lifetime" they are referring to is just the 100k mile term of the warranty. If that is the answer, then there is no point in THEM spending any money on a dipstick that won't really be needed until the warranty expires, when they no longer care about that vehicle.
"If product X was so great, every maker would be putting it on their cars at the factory" forgets one major key thing:
Car makers are in the business of ensuring that you continue to buy cars. They DO NOT WANT your vehicle to last "forever" like that guy with the 3 million mile Volvo he bought new in 1963. To them, he is a lost customer and lost money.
Anything that benefits the buyer, in terms of longevity, ease of maintenance, or durability... That is not something to prioritize at the manufacturing level. GM didn't sell a car with more than 2 gears for DECADES after they became available. Why? Adding more gears only COST them money, they don't care that it made the car more efficient or drive smoother / quieter. Those are benefits to the buyer.
I firmly believe that if the manufacturers could legally design cars with set expiration dates that would force you to buy another car after X number of years... They would. You have to look at what FLEETS are doing. What do fleets do? The same thing we do: Modify a class of vehicle for durability, longevity of the components / vehicle, and try to squeeze every drop of efficiency from the platform that is possible.
We might actually (as a group) be the most effective fleet managers ever, because so many of us are determined to develop and share mods and tips to keep these things on the road when Chrysler seems to have done everything possible to do the opposite.