The Auto Writer

Chrysler workers celebrate an important manufacturing milestone.

It took the Chrysler Group just 18 months to produce 1 million of its 3.6-liter V-6 engines. Known as Pentastar, this V-6 found its way under the hood of the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee first and has since spread to its minivans, to its full-size sedans and is now found in 11 different models. Pentastar was developed to replace Chrysler’s other six cylinder engines, thus its widespread use.

Two Factories

The engine is produced at two factories including Trenton South in Michigan. Those workers marked the occasion with a photo session and a general announcement by Chrysler. Pentastar is also built at a plant in Saltillo, Mexico.

“The Pentastar engine is a cornerstone of Chrysler Group’s effort to reinvent its business model with world class quality products. This award-winning engine is proof that the Company is transforming its products to meet the needs of our customers,” said Brian Harlow, Vice President, Head of Powertrain Manufacturing, Chrysler Group LLC. “To build one million of anything, and in an impressively short amount of time, is a significant achievement. But to do it with such a high degree of quality is a testament to our skilled and dedicated workforce at both Trenton South and Saltillo engine plants.”

Versatile Engine

Pentastar is versatile and can be used in front-, rear- and all-wheel-drive models. It is rated at 283 horsepower in front-wheel-drive models such as the Chrysler Town & Country minivan and as high as 305 horsepower in the Dodge Challenger. For 2012, this engine is now standard in the Jeep Wrangler where it is rated at 285 horsepower. That’s a 40 percent improvement in horsepower and a 10 percent jump in torque over the 2011 model which was powered by a 3.8-liter V-6. Gas mileage is up to from last year’s 15 mpg city, 19 mpg highway to this year’s 17 mpg city, 21 mpg highway. Regular grade gasoline or an ethanol blend can be used in vehicles equipped with this motor.

Ward’s Automotive magazine once again listed Pentastar as one of its “10 Best Engines” for the year. Although usually paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, select Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger models will include an 8-speed automatic transmission licensed from ZF. Those cars are rated at 31 mpg, delivering best in class fuel economy among full size sedans.

Engine Replacement

Chrysler also noted that Pentastar has already replaced six of its legacy V-6 engines ranging in size from 2.7-liters up to 4.0-liters. Significantly, the new engine has allowed Chrysler’s powertrain department to reduce major engine components from 189 parts to just 32, greatly simplifying the build process, improving quality and saving the automaker money.

Photo: Chrysler Group, LLC

eMusic Adam Klein auto covers thousand oaks auto mall

By Adam Brandon

Oil change intervals have changed over the past generation.

Conventional wisdom is sometimes anything but wise. For decades, conventional wisdom has dictated that we change the oil in our cars and trucks every 3 months or 3,000 miles. This may have seemed like some brainwashing exercise on the part of the oil industry and garages that make their living changing oil, but the fact of the matter is that at one time it was true. That’s because the oil of yesteryear was easily degraded and, if left too long in the crankcase, created an ugly sludge inside the engine. If it wasn’t removed, that sludge could actually result in engine failure. No wonder we all bought into the conventional wisdom that changing oil every 3 months or 3,000 miles was the right thing to do—because at one time, it was.

Oil Change Intervals

But not anymore. Motor oil has changed. The quality and longevity of oil has improved greatly in the last 25 years. Synthetic oils in particular have a very long service interval and don’t wear out—they can suffer from contamination, but they don’t wear out. Engines have changed too. Their operating temperatures are higher, which reduces the amount of “dirt” that accumulates in motor oil. What this means is that you can go much, much longer between oil changes than we ever thought possible in the past.

In fact, many dealers are now recommending service intervals more in the range of 5,000 to 7,500 miles. And even then it might not be necessary to change your oil, although it is important to change the oil filter periodically. It’s also important to check your oil level every few hundred miles, and be careful not to overfill if you need to add oil—that can create a whole new set of serious engine problems.

Synthetic Oil

You might also consider an add-on secondary filtration system, which can remove the small-sized “dirt” that contributes to engine wear. Some people using synthetic oil with a secondary filtration system can run their vehicles from 10,000 to 25,000 miles or more without ever changing the oil.

So, having said all that, there are some circumstances where you might need to change your oil a little more often:

• If you drive on dirt roads often
• If you live in a climate that’s extremely hot or extremely cold
• If your engine is old

Proper Disposal

And remember, if you choose to change your own oil, it’s important to take some precautions regarding the environment and motor oil. Namely, don’t let the oil run into the ground, and don’t dump oil into a water system like a storm drain. Recycle oil as much as possible—many auto parts stores will take your used oil and send it to a refinery, where it can be cleaned and used again. And here’s another plus for the environment: Reducing the maintenance interval reduces the waste stream of used oil that goes into the environment.

Conventional wisdom is all well and good, but it as time goes by, that can be a moving target. If you’re still changing your oil every 3 months or 3,000 miles, you could be spending time and/or money that you don’t need to spend. It may just be time to throw out this piece of conventional wisdom once and for all.

Author Information

Adam Brandon is a blogger for Leonard’s Garage, located in Austin, Texas, and specializing in auto repair and motorcycle repair.

Photo: Myke Waddy

RV Parts & Accessories Auto Repair Los Angeles Adventure Harley-Davidson

By Brian Turner

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The modern world relies heavily on automobiles to get around and perform necessary errands, but they can pose a significant threat to the healthy and safety of you and your family. When most people think of the dangers of cars, they think only of traffic accidents. They seldom consider that the vehicle itself may be slowly poisoning them and their passengers.

Automobiles contain a shocking array of hazardous chemicals that can cause health problems ranging from simple allergies to cancer and serious birth defects.

Benzene

This solvent is heavily used for the manufacturing plastics, as well as replacing lead as a fuel additive. Because of its chemical properties, it disperses rapidly into the air where it is inhaled. Benzene is a well-known and potent carcinogen. Prolonged exposure may lead to symptoms like respiratory problems, nausea and vomiting, dizzy spells and neurological problems. Anemia is also risk because benzene decreases levels of red blood cells.

Chlorine

People are most familiar with this chemical in the form of bleach, tap water and pool additives. However, it is also used to make PVC, a form of plastic that makes up almost your car’s entire interior from the dashboard to the faux leather seats. Chlorine is known to cause heart disease, liver damage, premature birth, fertility problems, asthma and endocrine system damage. It is also easily passed from mother to baby through the placenta and milk.

Asbestos

Asbestos may be banned for use in the U.S., but many cars are made in countries that still allow it. This carcinogen finds its way into brake pads, gaskets, fiberglass linings and even automotive carpeting. Even limited exposure to asbestos can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer and respiratory problems, as well as disorders of the stomach and eyes.

Lead

Everyone is aware of lead’s status as a dangerous substance, but few realize that it threatens them inside their own car. The most common source of lead in automobiles comes from the plastics where it is used as an additive to make them soft and pliable. Common problems associated with lead exposure include neurological damage, mental and behavioral problems, kidney disorders, reproductive issues and blood disorders.

Bromine

Bromine is primarily used to make flame-retardants, so it’s quite ironic that something so toxic is meant to ensure personal safety. This chemical disperses into the air over time. The process is sped up by high temperatures and sunlight, so keep all windows cracked while you’re not driving to avoid dangerous concentrations. Bromine is associated with learning disabilities, thyroid disorders, impaired fertility, poor memory and behavioral problems.

Cars are a source of numerous other potentially dangerous substances such as cobalt, mercury, nickel, copper, arsenic and chromium. Although these things are naturally occurring minerals and are needed in small amounts for good health, prolonged or chronic exposure to unnaturally high doses can cause serious health issues.

Author Information

Brian Turner has been working with the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance as an environmental health and toxic substance safety advocate since June 2007. He conducts research and raises awareness of environmental health risks, including carcinogens, and offers his green building expertise. Brian’s interest in cars extends to  classic, muscle, imports and beyond.  He keeps active by  playing and watching various sports with friends.

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