Is technology making it easier or harder to work on cars?
Asked by Dustin Aug 17, 2012 at 06:17 PM about the 2010 Dodge Challenger SE RWD
Question type: General
My car is only 2 years old, but it seems to have some problems, and I think technology can be a pain in the butt. Because I think older cars have less problems due to less technology like sensors, and engine malfunction lights. It makes since that the older cars are solid, not all technical. I know that technology is improving how we drive a car, but I feel like the computers, and sensors are still working out the bugs. I don't want to give up on my car, so I say this is a start of new vehicle education/tests, until there is one day a better kind of transportation.
5 Answers
The technology behind cars today is mostly emissions related. that being said, the cars emissions system is a whole other machine inside of the car, constantly monitoring to add or remove air or fuel to make the engine run as cleanly as possible. Its near impossible to tell whats wrong with an emissions system with out the various computers contained inside the vehicle. For the most part aside from a complete internal parts failure, the car will tell you exactly whats wrong with it.
The addition of all these "sensors" have made the car safer, more efficent not only in emissions, but mpg and power at the same time. It's not that it's harder but it's different. Building a Carburetor is just as hard as learning the electrical skills to diagnose the newer systems. Plus a carb needed played with as well as timing every 10-20,000 miles to run at peak efficiency, now that has been taken out of the equation all together.
easy, for the first 100k miles but it gets more difficult as things wear out. sealed hubs, huge wiring harnesses, aged sensors, and tight fitting engine bays are just a few issues that make it not easily serviced. maintenance free seems to make vehicles fall apart later on. 60's, 70's and older vehicles had parts more accessible but lacks efficiency. i'm noticing they made my '12 camaro easier to service; we have progressed quite a lot better than the 80's.
Oh god, the 80's were terrible for electronics, that and most cars reliance on vacuum lines made it a nightmare. Not until the late 90's did that get better.
I appreciate all of your answers. It is part of owning a car, and repairs come along eventually. When cars were first envented some old timers thought that they were novelty. Now most people use a vehicle of some sorts everyday.
