0:00 / 0:00
Why Modern Engines Don't Last Like They Used To ( Asset vs Liability )

Why Modern Engines Don't Last Like They Used To ( Asset vs Liability )

Car Connection Workshop Jan 22, 2026 57 min
0:00
0:00

About this episode

Exploring why modern engines don't last as long as their predecessors, this episode dives into the impact of maintenance on vehicle longevity, revealing that neglect can reduce a car's lifespan by 40%. Host Nile Motormouth Jenkins discusses the engineering behind high-revving engines and the trade-offs consumers face with tighter tolerances and synthetic oils. He emphasizes the importance of viewing vehicles as assets rather than liabilities, encouraging listeners to adopt a maintenance mindset to maximize their car's lifespan and value.

Filter:
|
Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

Jeep Wrangler

"Whether it's a 25 year old Jeep Wrangler getting a second chance at life,"

The Jeep Wrangler is a tough vehicle designed for off-road driving. It's known for its ability to go over rocks and through mud, making it a favorite for adventure lovers.

Car

Nissan Rogue

"...or a Nissan Rogue getting its brakes back in order,..."

The Nissan Rogue is a popular SUV that is good for families and has a lot of space inside. It's known for being comfortable and easy to drive.

Car

Nissan 2008 Nissan

"...on trade in, I just use this as an example. It's 2008 Nissan Rogue, just got, it made it through its safety i..."

The Nissan 200 SX is a small, sporty car that many people liked in the 1990s. It's known for being fun to drive and can be a good choice for someone looking for an affordable used car.

Car

Toyota FJ Cruiser

"...I don't need to take the FJ Cruiser with little old me behind the wheel to do that."

The Toyota FJ Cruiser is a tough SUV that looks like older models but has modern features. It's great for off-road driving and is loved by people who enjoy outdoor adventures.

Term

tire pressures

"...to put money in your pocket, tire pressures, I'm gonna give you the reality. How important it is to maintain your tire pressures..."

Tire pressures refer to how much air is in your tires. Keeping them at the right level helps your car drive safely and saves you money on gas.

Term

PSI

"For every one PSI, one, one PSI, under inflated, you're losing 2% fuel economy."

PSI means pounds per square inch, which measures how much air is in your tires. Keeping the right PSI helps your car run better and saves fuel.

Term

high engine RPMs

"...the engineers that design and build the engines in these vehicles is to handle high engine RPMs for extended periods of time. What would we compare our automobiles to today out there?"

High engine RPMs mean the engine is spinning fast. Engines that can handle this well are often found in sports cars and motorcycles, allowing them to go faster and perform better.

Term

crotch rockets

"...What would we compare our automobiles to today out there? High revving motorcycles, crotch rockets. Yeah, exactly. Not Harleys, crotch rockets."

Crotch rockets are fast motorcycles that are built for speed. They look sporty and are designed to be quick and agile on the road, unlike heavier bikes like Harleys.

Car

Lucid Air

"...e hits the pickup and bazinga. He went up in the air and I didn't even know where he went. Honest to ..."

The Lucid Air is a new electric car that is designed to be very fancy and high-tech. It can go a long distance on a single charge and has a lot of room inside, making it a comfortable choice for drivers who want something special.

Car

Porsche 911

"...tling out. And I run in the house and yell, call 911. Right away, there's been a bike accident"

The Porsche 911 is a famous sports car known for being fast and fun to drive. It's been around for a long time and is loved by car enthusiasts for its unique shape and powerful engine.

Term

high RPM

"So anyways, high RPMs. That's what those crotch rockets are designed to handle. They can take that brutal driving at high RPM for extended periods of time."

High RPM means the engine is spinning quickly, which can make it more powerful. Some engines are built to handle this better than others, and if they're not, they can break down.

Term

muscle cars

"The older engines that are having some muscle cars, they're not designed to handle high RPM for extended periods of time."

Muscle cars are powerful cars, usually from America, that are built for speed. They became really popular in the 60s and 70s and are known for their strong engines.

Term

oiling system

"Something's gonna break because the oiling system inside that engine is designed completely different. That's why."

An oiling system is what keeps the engine parts moving smoothly by spreading oil around. This helps prevent wear and tear and keeps the engine from overheating.

Term

fuel economy

"...giving away all your fuel economy and reducing the longevity of the vehicle by 40%."

Fuel economy is how far a car can go on a certain amount of gas. Better fuel economy means you spend less money on gas and can drive further without filling up.

Term

0W-20

"And that's why we're seeing motor oils with numbers on that we've never seen before, 0, 20."

0W-20 is a kind of motor oil that works well in cold weather and helps engines run smoothly. The numbers tell you how thick the oil is at different temperatures.

Term

viscosity

"We never saw that was 10 W 30, 15 W 40, 20 W 50."

Viscosity is how thick or thin a liquid is. In motor oil, it affects how well the oil can protect the engine at different temperatures.

Term

synthetic oil

"Now we got zero W 20 and it's expensive and it's synthetic because they need to put synthetic oils in there"

Synthetic oil is a man-made motor oil that helps engines run better and last longer. It's often more expensive but provides better protection than regular oil.

Term

motor oil

"than conventional oil, but they got to get a lot of motor oil in and around those moving components inside the engine to keep the lube there"

Motor oil is a liquid that helps keep the engine running smoothly by reducing friction between its moving parts and keeping it cool.

Term

lubrication

"to keep the lube there because at high RPM, the lube wants to run away."

Lubrication is when you put oil on moving parts to help them slide smoothly without getting too hot or damaged.

Term

thin oil

"So they got to have thin oil that gets into very thin spaces and stays there for long periods of time."

Thin oil is a lighter type of oil that can flow easily in the engine, helping it reach all the small parts that need lubrication.

Concept

NASCAR engines

"This is why a good comparison is Formula One engines, NASCAR engines, they finish a race that engine's done."

NASCAR engines are powerful engines used in stock car racing. They are made to last through long races, but they get worn out after each race because they run so hard.

Concept

Formula One engines

"This is why a good comparison is Formula One engines, NASCAR engines, they finish a race that engine's done."

Formula One engines are special engines used in the fastest racing cars. They are built to go really fast and can run at very high speeds for a long time during races.

Term

fully rebuilt

"It's got to be fully taken apart and fully rebuilt and a fresh one put back in worth, I think they're like $150,000 now."

When an engine is fully rebuilt, it means it has been taken apart and fixed up with new parts so it can work like it did when it was new. This is done to make sure the engine runs well again.

Term

tighter tolerances

"So the trade off is tighter tolerances, thinner motor oil, higher pressures,"

Tighter tolerances mean that engine parts are made to fit very closely together. This helps the engine run better and last longer because there is less space for things to go wrong.

Term

higher pressures

"higher pressures, get as much oil as possible underneath the skirts of the pistons inside the engines"

Higher pressures in an engine mean that the oil is pushed through the engine more forcefully. This helps keep everything lubricated and cool, but it can also cause problems if it gets too high.

Term

pistons

"underneath the skirts of the pistons inside the engines and the engines use motor oil."

Pistons are parts inside an engine that move up and down. They help turn fuel into power to make the car go.

Term

restore

"And they got to completely restore that motor for another time. And that's money."

Restoring an engine means taking it apart, fixing it, and putting it back together so it works again. It can take a lot of time and money.

Term

maintenance

"I'm gonna spell it out for you. M-A-I-T-E-N-A-N-C-E, maintenance times 10."

Maintenance is the work done to keep a vehicle in good condition. It involves checking and fixing parts of the car regularly so it runs well and lasts longer.

Term

fleet companies

"Well, fleet companies do that. They want every drip that that vehicle can do for them making profitability, turning a profit and it's not breaking down."

Fleet companies are businesses that own and manage many vehicles, like delivery trucks or rental cars. They take care of these vehicles to keep them running well and making money.

Term

high revving engines

"...high revving engines that can run at high RPMs with tight tolerances, thinner oil, synthetic oil..."

High revving engines can spin faster than regular engines, making them more powerful and responsive. They are built to handle the extra stress that comes with running at high speeds.

6 cars featured

Request an Explanation

Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.

Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.

Want to learn more?

Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.

Explore Terms

Help improve this episode

See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.

Report incorrect info
Suggest better explanations
Flag missing cars