On 11/30/2017 9:34 AM, notbob wrote:
> On 2017-11-30, Ed Pawlowski > wrote:
>
>> OTOH, electronics are far superior than what was available not many
>> years ago.
>
> You must mean they are "much smaller". I tossed my cell phone acct,
> but still use my 'desktop' computer.
>
>> Cars are much better.
>
> How so?
>
> I jes found out there is such a thing as 'non-interference' engines
> and 'interference' engines and if yer timing belt breakes on an
> 'interference' engine, yer hosed. IOW, 'timing belt' (born to break),
> versus 'timing chain' (rarely gives trouble). Usta be, all engines had
> timing chains.
>
> Also, howzabout 'event data recorders' (EDR). Yer car is crawling
> with 'em (ABS, air bags, seat belts, etc). I'm not even gonna discuss
> the whole 'IoT' nonsense.
>
> All those 'seat warmers', electric outside mirrors, etc, jes add more
> weight, which kills fuel consumption. My '87 Civic got 38mpg (real
> commute data). Ten yrs later, Civics were bragging on gettting 28mpg.
> Why? All that copper wire weighs a lot!
>
> IME, the USA has not made a good car since 1974!!
>
> nb
>
SS exhaust systems that last 15+ years
Spark plugs go 100,000 miles instead of clean at 5k, replace at 10k
Oil changes 7500 miles
HID or LED lighting
Less pollution
ABS, AEB

As for weight, my car is 5400#