Blame It On The Oil And Other Engine Excuses | Subaru Trailseeker | Wet and not so Wild | Auto History
In Wheel Time Podcast: Your Go-To Automotive Talk Show
Blame It On The Oil And Other Engine Excuses | Subaru Trailseeker | Wet and not so Wild | Auto HistoryIn Wheel Time Podcast: Your Go-To Automotive Talk Show · Jul 1, 2026
A very popular, typically highly reliable small car made by Honda. Some newer versions with a turbocharged engine have run into trouble with fuel leaking into the engine oil.
This is when gasoline accidentally sneaks past the pistons and mixes with your engine's oil. It thins out the oil, making it less slippery and less able to protect the engine from wearing out.
A heavy-duty seal that sits between the top and bottom halves of your engine. It keeps the engine's oil, cooling fluid, and internal explosions completely separated.
An advanced engine that can physically change its internal dimensions while you drive. It adjusts itself to give you great gas mileage when cruising, or maximum power when you accelerate quickly.
A popular mid-sized family SUV made by Nissan. While comfortable and spacious, some newer models have faced engine reliability investigations regarding their high-tech turbo engines.
This is a measure of how thick or thin an engine oil is. Thick oil flows slowly like syrup, while thin oil flows quickly like water. Using the right thickness is vital to keep your engine running smoothly.
A manufacturing method where hot, liquid metal is poured into a mold made of sand to shape engine parts. If the factory doesn't wash all the sand out afterward, it can get trapped inside the engine and ruin it.
Toyota's large pickup truck. While famous for lasting hundreds of thousands of miles, recent models with a new twin-turbo V6 engine have had major recalls due to metal debris left inside the engine from the factory.
Smooth metal sleeves that cushion the spinning parts inside your engine. If they don't get enough clean oil, they will wear out quickly, causing the engine to seize up and fail.
Subaru's first fully electric SUV, built in a joint project with Toyota. It features standard all-wheel drive and rugged styling, though its driving range is slightly lower than some rivals.
A highly rated electric SUV from Hyundai that looks like a futuristic hatchback. It is known for charging incredibly fast and having a very spacious, modern interior.
A highly popular electric SUV made by Tesla. It is famous for its minimalist interior, great driving range, and access to Tesla's fast Supercharger network.
An electric SUV made by Ford that borrows styling and the name from the famous Mustang sports car. It is fun to drive and has a sleek, high-tech cabin.
An incredible race held in 1908 where early cars drove all the way from New York to Paris, crossing land and being shipped across oceans. It was a massive test of endurance for early automobiles.
Car
Thomas Flyer
A famous early American car that won the legendary 1908 race from New York to Paris, proving that American-made cars could survive the toughest roads in the world.
One of the oldest and most famous car races in history. The 1914 race was famously dominated by Mercedes, who used advanced technology like brakes on all four wheels to win.
A high school teacher who became famous for driving his red Volvo sports car for over 3 million miles, setting a world record for the most miles driven by one person in their own car.
Explore the most problematic engines of the past year, from Honda's troubled 1.5-liter turbo to Toyota's twin-turbo V6 bearing issues, exposing why even reliable brands are facing massive recalls and class-action lawsuits. The hosts also review the all-new, all-electric 2026 Subaru TrailSeeker, detailing its bold styling, dual phone chargers, and 281-mile range against competitors like the Tesla Model Y. Finally, discover the best family-friendly water parks around the Houston area for a perfect summer getaway.
Recalls and reliability headlines can feel like background noise until you’re the one staring at a warning light and a four-figure estimate. We put the spotlight on five current engine problem cases that keep showing up in owner complaints, class action lawsuits, and government investigations, and we explain why these patterns matter if you’re shopping new or used. You’ll hear what’s being reported, what kinds of failures are at stake, and why “we changed the oil recommendation” doesn’t always restore confidence.
We move brand by brand, from Honda’s widely used 1.5-liter turbo and its oil dilution and head gasket worries to Nissan’s variable compression VC turbo recall situation. We also dig into GM’s 6.2-liter V8 problems in high-volume trucks and SUVs, then talk through the Jeep 4XE plug-in hybrid’s mix of mechanical and electrical concerns, including fire risk and the strange but serious casting sand recall. Even Toyota isn’t off the hook as we cover ongoing noise around the 3.4-liter twin turbo V6 and engine bearing failures.
Then we lighten it up with summer driving ideas: water parks around Houston that offer a different feel than the biggest corporate destinations, including city-run spots and smaller neighborhood-style parks that can be easier with kids.
We wrap with a first drive review of the all-new 2026 Subaru Trail Seeker EV, covering design, screens and controls, 281-mile range, charging habits, towing, pricing, and how it stacks up against competitors like the Model Y and Ioniq 5.
If you got value from this mix of practical car buying advice and road trip ideas, subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave a review. Which engine issue surprised you most, and what would you research first before buying?
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