[alfa] Re: auto reliability

[alfa@xxxxxxxxx]

I know I'm rather late in entering this thread...

But someone beat me to the punch on my point, although mine was a little less
direct, and more like the show "Connections."

To me, the #1 reason for the increase of auto reliabilty is emissions. 
Specifically, the control of them.

I know many of you lived through the rather dreary '70's when autos were kind of
in a low ebb- relative low performance AND shoddy reliability.  Which lead to
HUGE complaints from both customers and the governments for improvements.

Which lead to computer control across the board (some cars did have EFI for
performance reasons).  In one swoop, one never needed to adjust jets, change
points, etc.  Which meant that the people who never did matenence just got a
better car.

But goverernments did not relent.  Emission standards got both tighter AND
longer.  Which then lead to better computers, better components, and far fewer
moving parts.  It's now common to see engines without distributors nor plug
wires, which were two of the biggest culprits in non running engines.  Just a
few months ago, we introduced the Focus PZEV, which is warrented to 150,000
miles for emissions!  Which means it will run very well far past that.

Engine materials did make a significant impact on reliability, yes, but not as
large as computers.  And NO, they are NOT Windows based.  You get in, turn the
key, and it starts, every time.  No fiddling with anything.  Nothing to fiddle
with, either.

Eric Storhok
Ann Arbor, MI
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